AI 101 for Educators Parts 4 & 5: Bringing AI to the Classroom & Ensuring a Responsible Approach to AI

Randy Seldomridge

Kayle Icenhour

Leslie Johnson

November 2025

bit.ly/ai101part4-5

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What is a GEM?

Think of a Gem as a pre-packaged set of instructions for Gemini. Instead of typing a long, detailed prompt every single time, you save those instructions as a Gem. When you activate it, Gemini automatically follows those rules for your entire conversation.

A great set of instructions for a Gem usually includes four key components:

1. Persona: Who do you want the AI to be? (e.g., "a master teacher," "a literary scholar").
2. Task: What is its primary goal? (e.g., "to create rubrics," "to differentiate lesson plans").
3. Process: What steps should it follow? (e.g., "First, ask me for the topic. Then, provide a table...").
4. Format: What should the final output look like? (e.g., "Use bullet points," "The columns must be titled...").

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How to Create a GEM

1. Navigate to Gems:
• Open Gemini (gemini.google.com).
• In the top-left corner, click the menu icon (☰).
• Look for an option called "Gems" or something similar (it may be under a "Customize" or "Tools" section). Click on it.
• You will see a button that says "Create a Gem" or a plus sign (+). Click it.
2. Name Your Gem:
• Give your Gem a short, descriptive name that you'll easily recognize. For example: Rubric Architect or Lesson Differentiator.
3. Write the Instructions:
• This is the most important step. You will see a large text box labeled "Instructions" or "Prompt." This is where you tell your Gem exactly what to do.

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How to Use Your New GEM

Once you've created a Gem, using it is simple:

1. Start a new chat in Gemini.
2. At the top of the chat window, you should see the Gemini logo or a dropdown menu. Click on it.
3. Select the Gem you want to use from the list.
4. The Gem is now active! It will automatically start the conversation by following the "Process" instructions you gave it.

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Helpful Tips

• Start Simple: Don't try to create the most complex Gem on your first try.
• Iterate and Refine: The first version might not be perfect. After you use your Gem, you can always go back and edit the instructions to make it better. Maybe you want 5 columns instead of 4, or you want it to use different language. Just click on the Gem and select "Edit."
• Be Specific and Direct: Vague instructions lead to inconsistent results. The more specific you are about the Persona, Task, Process, and Format, the more reliable your Gem will be.
• Share and Collaborate: Encourage teachers to share the instructions for Gems that work really well. Your school could build a shared library of Gem instructions in a Google Doc, allowing teachers to copy, paste, and customize the best ones for their own needs.

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GEMs for Teachers - The Feedback Facilitator

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GEMs for Teachers - Differentiation

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Eric Curts’ Site for Gems in Education

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Matt Miller’s Guide to Creating & Using Gems

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Creating Gems for Student Use

Keep the following in mind:

• Clear role and purpose: Tell the Gem exactly who it is and what its job is for students.
• Age-appropriate language and tone: Specify the target grade level and reading level and consider telling it to use "simple, encouraging, and positive language."
• Learning goal or skill focus: Describe the learning that the Gem is supporting (writing, reading comprehension, self reflection, inquiry).
• Boundaries: Tell the Gem what not to do like "don't give students full answers, don't do their work, and don't provide external links (unless educationally appropriate).
• Keep it interactive: Encourage the Gem to engage the student with short tasks -- reflection prompts, practice questions, creative challenges, etc.

From Matt Milller’s How to create and use Google Gemini Gems in the classroom

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How to Keep Students Safe While Using Gems

• Include guardrails in your instructions: When you tell the custom Gem how to interact with students, be sure to tell it what not to do and what to avoid.
• Encourage students to keep sensitive data safe: Tell them not to include their address, phone number, social security number, etc.
• Provide oversight as much as possible -- Use Securly to monitor student chats or walk around the room. Have conversations with students about how they're using Gems so it doesn't cross boundaries.
• Remind students that AI isn't human -- The chats with AI in a Gem can feel very human because it uses very natural human language. Students need to remember that AI isn't human, it doesn't have feelings, and it shouldn't influence them in the same way that a trusted adult would.

From Matt Milller’s How to create and use Google Gemini Gems in the classroom

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GEMs for Students - Science inquiry companion

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GEMs for Students - Test Readiness Mentor

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ChatGPT Chats for High School Teachers

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Next Steps

1. Complete the 5 lessons in code.org by Monday, January 5th

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• Register in TimeKeeper - #11406

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• Contact us with any questions or concerns related to AI

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WORK TIME!

COA Join Link

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Next Meeting: October 14th

Gateway Join Link

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WORK TIME!

Next Meeting: November 5th

CECHS Join Link

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WORK TIME!

Next Meeting: October 14th

WCHS Join Link

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WORK TIME!

Next Meeting: October 9th

SCHS Join Link

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Next Meeting: November 13th

Hibriten Join Link

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Kayle Icenhour

kicenhour@caldwellschools.com

Leslie Johnson

lejohnson@caldwellschools.com

Randy Seldomridge

rseldomridge@caldwellschools.com

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