Gemini: Guidance for Instructors

• UMN faculty, staff, and students have access to Gemini with enterprise data protection by logging into gemini.google.com from any web browser with your UMN username and password.
• UMN users have access to the base Gemini chatbot as well as Gems, which allows users to create custom AI agents designed to perform specific tasks.
• Using Gemini with enterprise data protection means that both your data and the University’s data are protected in the following ways:
  • User interaction data are not used to train Google’s language models
  • User interaction data are not accessible or reviewed by any humans at Google
  • User interaction data are not made available to other users or the organization
• Users are able to upload files, including images, PDFs, documents, etc. to Gemini. When uploading files, follow UMN guidelines for appropriate use of generative AI tools. Publishers typically prohibit (through licensing) upload of research, magazine and newspaper articles (including those used for course readings) to third-party services like Gemini. Do not upload materials produced by others or licensed materials unless you have explicit permission or the material is covered under a known exemption or license.
  • Find more information on copyright, contracts, and generative AI. If you have additional questions, please contact UMN Libraries at [email protected].

Though there are institutional safeguards in place, it is each person’s responsibility to understand the benefits and risks of using any generative AI tool (such as Gemini). Here are a few resources that can assist you in understanding the benefits and risks:

• The UMN appropriate use of generative AI tools resource provides examples of data/information that should and should not be used in generative AI tools.
• Read the Libraries Acceptable Use of Electronic Resources to understand the relevant rules when using the University's Libraries' electronic resources (such as journals, magazine and newspaper articles, or databases).
• Be aware of the ethical concerns of generative AI results, such as biased output (e.g. stereotypes relating to race, sexual orientation, and gender), hallucinations (false or misleading information presented as fact), and misinformation. Review the AI Ethics & Efficacy presentation by the University Libraries to gain a deeper understanding of these issues.
• Be transparent about your use of Gemini just as you expect your students to let you know if they are using generative AI in the course.
• If you want to upload student work to any generative AI tool, remember they own the copyright and other intellectual property rights in this work. It is best to get consent from students if you plan to use their work externally. Learn more about sharing student work.
• Include expectations in your syllabus or course introductions if you expect your students to use Gemini as part of your class. Create clear syllabus statements on generative AI use, whether you choose to allow or prohibit such tools.

While generative AI tools like Gemini are useful tools, teaching and learning effectiveness, ethics, and judgement are ultimately guided by the instructor. Google Gemini can be used in many ways to support teaching and learning. Consider using it for:

Lesson Planning and Content Creation

• Brainstorm lesson topics, activities, and assessments.
• Draft learning objectives, lecture outlines, and discussion prompts.
• Generate vocabulary lists with definitions and examples.
• Develop initial drafts of assignment instructions and rubrics.
• Craft engaging introductory hooks for lectures.

Assessment and Feedback

• Generate quiz questions (multiple-choice, short answer, true/false).
• Create text-dependent questions to promote close reading.
• Draft initial feedback on student work (to be personalized). Make sure to inform your students that you plan to use generative AI.

Student Support and Engagement

• Offer alternative explanations of difficult concepts.
• Brainstorming project ideas.
• Providing writing assistance guidance to students with clear academic integrity guidelines.

If you have questions about instructor guidance for AI, contact your local Academic Technology Contact or email Academic Technology Support Services. 

This guidance was developed by the OIT’s Academic Technology Support Services, the University Libraries, and the Center for Educational Innovation.