Record audio, video, and screencasts directly in Google Classroom

 Big news for the "Stream": You no longer need three different browser extensions just to send a video message to your students. Google Classroom has officially launched integrated audio, video, and screencast recording.

📽️ Where you’ll see the "Record" button:

• Private Comments: Give your typing fingers a break. Record a quick voice note or screencast to walk a student through a tough math problem or provide pronunciation tips.

• Announcements: Start the week with a 30-second video to build rapport and set the tone.

• Assignments: Instead of a wall of text, record your instructions. It’s a game-changer for accessibility and ensures nothing gets lost in translation.

• Student Submissions: Students can now "show what they know" through video or audio, providing a lifeline for those who struggle with written output.

The Bottom Line: This isn't just a new button; it’s a way to make digital learning feel more human. It saves you time on grading and gives your students a clearer path to success.

More information here: https://workspaceupdates.googleblog.com/2026/01/record-screencasts-audio-video-classroom.html 

GEMINI Integration with NOTEBOOK LM

Notebook LM is powered by the Gemini AI Model.  Notebook acts as a walled garden, ensuring that any data you enter into it is processed accurately.  A new integration between Notebook LM and Gemini will allow you to add a Notebook from Notebook LM into a Gemini prompt.  

❗The WECDSB sanctions only the use of the board's version of GEMINI and NOTEBOOK LM and not the personal use version.

In Gemini you can click on the PLUS button and now add a NOTEBOOK LM file to be used along with other inputs such as Google Drive files, Code, Video, or other files.

Why would you want to add a Notebook LM Notebook to Gemini?  

Gemini and Notebook LM approach your prompt differently and are separate products.  This integration provides even more targeted power to the user.  

1. Drastic Reduction in "Hallucinations"

When you provide a specific file, you can instruct Gemini to answer only based on that source. This "grounding" ensures that the AI doesn't pull random facts from the internet, but instead sticks to the facts, figures, and nuances within your provided text.

2. Synthesis of Complex Research

NotebookLM is great for organizing notes, but Gemini is the master of creative synthesis. By bringing those files into Gemini, you can:

• Cross-reference: Ask Gemini to compare your personal notes with real-time market trends or historical data from its own training.

• Drafting: Turn your raw research snippets into polished essays, blog posts, or professional reports.

3. Advanced Multimodal Analysis

Gemini can "see" and "hear" in ways basic document readers can't. If your NotebookLM files include complex charts, handwritten notes, or diagrams, Gemini's multimodal capabilities allow it to:

• Explain the data trends in an uploaded PDF graph.

• Transcribe and summarize snippets of audio or video files you’ve stored.

4. Massive Context Window

Because you are using the Paid tier (Gemini 3 Flash), you have an extended conversation length. This means you can upload massive documents—entire books or technical manuals—and Gemini can maintain the "memory" of the beginning of the document while you discuss the end.