Getting Started with Gemini Gems

Getting Started with

Gemini Gems

April 13, 2026 EMHS Faculty

Learning Goals

• Explain what a Gem is and why it can be more useful than a basic AI chat
• Recognize how adding context, structure, and tools improves AI output
• Identify at least one idea for a Gem that could support your work or your students' learning

Have you used AI for planning, creating materials, or writing?How close are your results to the format or level of detail you needed?

A Gem is a custom AI helper built for a specific purpose.

It can include:

• a role/persona
• instructions for interaction
• the kind of audience it is writing for
• formatting expectations
• sample context or reference tools
• access to specific tools

Gem

Basic Chat

You establish your expectations once and then reuse them.

You re-explain things every time.

Context is Key

Providing a Gem with information that is specific to you and your needs will give you the best results. Examples include:

• grade level
• content area/course
• competencies/performance indicators
• lesson/unit/rubric structure
• tone
• formatting expectations

Gemini Models

Pro

Thinking

Fast

Strongest model for complex reasonsing. Best for hardest tasks and richer understanding.

Uses "thinking tokens" to explain its reasoning/work. Good for more complex tasks.

Fastest output. Good for quick tasks.

Canvas

Create Image

Guided Learning

Drafting documents, slides, code, etc.

Create images from scratch or edit existing ones

Turn Gemini into a tutor

Create Video*

Create Music

Deep Research

Create or analyze video*may not be available yet

Measure results and experiment

Curates multiple sources and synthesizes everything

What repeated tasks would be worth turning into a Gem?

How could you use a Gem to help students pratice using AI responsibly for learning?

Some Helpful Resources

Gem Creator Gem

EduGems

Ready-to-Use AI Prompts for Teaching

Q&A

Thank you very much!