PROMPT:
Make an interactive grouping task for students to put 12 learning issues in the ESL classroom into the correct (A) psychological issues, and (B) social issues.
Examples of psychological issues:
- learner anxiety
- poor memory
- low attention span
Examples of social issues:
- conflict with classmates
- bullying
- exam pressure
OUTPUT
https://poe.com/preview/UgH5rSKo7sYRJzgV9qPl
===========
TAKEAWAY:
No need to provide all the content ideas for Canvas App. Just give it some examples.
先前說過我不會用AI去create slidedecks，因為⑴生成的output太texty，似講稿多個似PPT，⑵插圖往往與內容無關 ；但前兩天試過用NotebookLM的beta 'Create Slidedeck'功能之後，我要改變想法了；我把先前上傳的Zhang(2025)，和另一個lecture的outine，利用NotebookLM生成slidedecks，兩個output都相當滿意，文字和插圖都很精準，用字有創意。唯一缺憾是生成的slidedeck要export只能是 PDF，如果要edit便要再花點時間轉化成PPT 。
no
1. I asked Gemini 3 whether it can create a diagram labelling task directly from my uploaded image. It said Yes.
2. It then provided an example by giving me the code to copy for creating a Cell Structure diagram labelling task.
3. I copied the Code, when to POE's "Canvas App' function, pasted in the code.
4. The first output does not work. I asked it to try again.
5. The second output works, as below:
https://poe.com/preview/o8syjR0euMrOxDErJl1D
=========
OBSERVATIONS
1. AI can create a diagram labelling task directly from a diagram.
2. Next try: Do the above directly in 'Create Canvas App'.
1. In Gemini (in Opera), I asked what a Gem is.
2. It explained, and gave some use cases. I realised that a Gem is a highly customised chatbot assistant for repetitive enquiries (ideas for starting a lecture) for a highly contextualised situation (eg, university course)
3. It also explained how to write detailed instructions to create a Gem.
4. It offered to write the instructions for me, based on my needs. I complied.
5. It then gave me the following prompt:
You are a highly creative and experienced University Curriculum Designer specializing in introductory session planning. Your primary goal is to generate 3-5 distinct, high-impact activities designed to stimulate student interest and active participation during the first 10-15 minutes of a university lecture.
All ideas must be academically stimulating, age-appropriate for undergraduate students, and easily implementable with minimal preparation (no more than 5 minutes setup). Do not suggest any activity that takes longer than 15 minutes or requires students to have done extensive reading beforehand.
The user will provide the specific lecture topic. The generated ideas should prioritize a mix of activities, including at least one that is interactive/discussion-based and one that is visually or emotionally compelling (e.g., a provocative quote, a short video clip, a relevant historical anecdote).
For each lecture starter idea, follow this exact structure:
---
**Idea Title:** [A catchy, descriptive title]
**Activity Type:** [e.g., Think-Pair-Share, Quick Poll, Video Clip Analysis, Debate Starter]
**Time Estimate:** [e.g., 10 minutes, 15 minutes]
**Implementation Steps:**
* [Detailed, bulleted step 1]
* [Detailed, bulleted step 2, including the exact question/prompt to be used]
* [Detailed, bulleted step 3]
**Learning Connection:** [A 1-2 sentence explanation of how the activity bridges to the main lecture material.]
---
6. I copied the prompt into the 'Create Gem' interface, saved it, and the Gem was made.
GEM:
7. I had a go with the lecture topic 'Metacognition in Language Teaching'. Result:
https://gemini.google.com/gem/1pXw0xaFFvzs_d8ex6wgpX6IZUWRagB97?usp=sharing
8. The result follows the format as laid down in the earlier Gemini prompt.
9. The suggestions are quite concrete and useful.
In the past, within POE, I would use the Chatbot function to get ideas, and then the 'Create Canvas app' function to create an interactive elearning task.
But JUST REALISED THAT I CAN CONTINUE ON TO THE LATTER DIRECTLY FROM THE CHATBOT RESPONSE WITHOUT LEAVING THE CHATBOT.
In POE, I was using Gemini 3 Pro to set an overview of major SLA theories.
OUTPUT:
https://poe.com/s/YK1MewVwAfXxkSyc192B
Then, I thought: 'Why don't I try getting an interactive task directly from the output?"
In 'CONTINUE CHAT', I asked it to provide me with an interactive matching task for Ss to match the names of the 7 theories in the answer, to their meanings.
THE CHATBOT COULD CONTINUE!
The first result did not work. I then asked the chatbot to try again.
The second attempt by the chatbot was a success, as follows:
https://poe.com/preview/PlvYOzoYibKA7veLreEk
===========
THE UPSIDE
- I need not extract the names of the theories, and their meanings (this could take some time), and copy them to the 'Create Canvas app'.
昨天利用NotebookLM 的Beta create Infographic功能，為一篇上傳的article去create一個infographic，發覺效果頗好。今早發現原來手機中的Copilot也可以這樣做，於是乎採用Copilot再試一次，結果如下圖，和NotebookLM的相差很遠了。(我也嘗試用手機內的POE做一次，但它要和我計credits。)
當然Whatsapp Copilot好處是任何時候，只要拿起手機便隨時可以製作信息圖，雖然效果不夠好。
Article: Zhang, L. J. (2025). Metacognition in Language Learning. Reference Module in Social Sciences . Elsevier. https://10.1016/B978-0-323-95504-1.01111-X
終於找到時間和機會去用Google Vids去create video，它和NotebookLM的Overview video用法不同，只需要打入一個prompt，由它去generate video，我就用了Key Concepts in First Language Acquisition 作為prompt。
跟著它生成一個video的outline，在這階段我可以edit outline, 滿意後就按Generate。
生成的video的效果頗滿意，很有影片feel，下面的例子全個過程不用5分鐘。我覺得如果用作Introduction to a topic/idea，Google Vids是很不錯的AI工具。(下面的版本是我download後，再上傳到Youtube以便share给學生。)
I continued to try out the other Beta function: Creating slidedeck.
I used the same source: Zhang 2025.
After I clicked 'Create slidedeck', I was given 2 options (a) a more detailed option, and (b) a presentation option.
I chose the latter one.
1. Much better than the other AI slidedeck apps. The text on the slides is more consise. The illustrations are much more relevant, not for decoration.
2. The page design is there (based on the template you chose earler).
3. Some slides are a little bit texty.
4. The slidedeck can be presented in full screen, inside NBLM.
5. If downloaded, it comes a PDF file.
The output is useful for a short presentation.
This is a new Beta function, which did not appear before.
I started with the same input: Zhang 2025.
OUTPUT:
OBSERVATIONS
1. Compared with my previous attempt using Gemini's Image Creation function, NBLM's is doing a better job, in that the output looks more like an infographic.
2. Surely it doesn't capture all the level 2 or level 3 ideas in Zhang 2025, but for an overview, the infographic looks fine. The illustration supports the content ideas.
Gemini 3 Chatbot
- I started by asking a general question: 'What is metacognition in language learning?'
- I continued the conversation, and later asked for classroom ideas to use in my lecture, and finally, even my 'lesson plan'
Below is the whole conversation:
https://gemini.google.com/share/ebecdb06a49f
=========================
CONCLUSION:
- Gemini performed quite well throughout, and finally gave me a lesson plan which embraced what we had discussed before.
In the latest version of Gemini 3, under the chatbot function, there is an option for the response to be provided as a 'Visual Layout'. It is actually the usual response that the Gemini chatbot would give, but presented in a 'magazine-style' page formatting, as in the following example:
Furthermore, in its response, it may embed an external Youtube video (which can be viewed immediately):
I then wondered: What is the difference betweeen Guided Learning Mode vs Learning Coach in Gemini 3? When should I use which?
That's an excellent question, especially coming from a teacher education background where pedagogy (the method and practice of teaching) matters greatly.
For your goal—to learn more about a topic/concept yourself—you should primarily use Guided Learning first, and then leverage the Learning Coach Gem for long-term, custom professional development.
Here is a breakdown of why, tailored to the needs of a university educator:
Guided Learning is essentially the raw, powerful, and pedagogically refined teaching mode of the Gemini model (powered by LearnLM, which is fine-tuned for education).
| Why a Teacher Should Use It | Focus/Benefit |
| Deep Comprehension (Beyond Facts) | It moves beyond giving you a quick answer. It uses the Socratic method (asking probing questions) and step-by-step breakdowns to ensure you understand the underlying concepts and reasoning. This is exactly what a teacher needs when learning a new complex theory or topic. |
| Active Learning & Retention | It incorporates interactive elements like quick check-in questions, multimedia (videos/diagrams), and exercises. This active engagement is proven to boost knowledge retention, which is valuable for professional development. |
| Fast, Focused Exploration | You can start a Guided Learning session immediately on any topic (e.g., "Guided Learning on Vygotsky's Sociocultural Theory in a Digital Age"). It’s perfect for one-off, intensive learning sessions. |
Best for: Grasping a new psychological theory, understanding a complex data analysis technique, or quickly getting up to speed on a trending education concept (e.g., "What are the core principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and how do they apply to virtual classrooms?").
The Learning Coach Gem is a pre-configured or custom-built assistant that allows for a structured and personalized learning environment.
| Why a Teacher Should Use It | Focus/Benefit |
| Custom Instructions and Persona | You can explicitly instruct your own custom Gem: "You are an expert on Curriculum and Instruction, and your tone must be that of a scholarly peer. Focus on providing citations from Tier 1 journals and suggest reflective practice exercises." This level of control is ideal for PD. |
| Uploading a Knowledge Base | If you have specific, complex materials (research papers, policy documents, course readings) you need to master, you can upload those PDFs directly to your custom Gem. The Gem will then ground its coaching and feedback specifically on those documents. |
| Structured Professional Development | You can use it to create an adaptive, long-term learning plan (e.g., a 6-week study on a new accreditation standard), which the Gem will track and guide you through. |
Best for: Deep research tied to your university's specific curriculum or materials, or creating a continuous professional development plan for a semester-long project.
Start with Guided Learning when you encounter a new concept and need the deepest, most pedagogically sound explanation that forces you to think.
Create or use the Learning Coach Gem when you need a highly customized, structured, and document-aware study partner to integrate new knowledge with your existing scholarly materials.
Would you like me to suggest some specific prompts for using the Guided Learning feature to explore a topic in teacher education, like the principles of Constructivism?
到今天供老師使用的multi-purpose AI 教學平台不少，例如Monsha, Goodclass, Edcafe, Eduaide, Brisk Teaching 甚至Tencent，到目前為止我最欣賞的是MagicSchool ，因它內含的工具很切合教師的需要，而且內...
