Professional Learning Newsletter

Orion Education & Training can support your educational goals. Whether they are EdTech integration, literacy support, teacher coaching/mentoring, or even principal/superintendent mentoring at Orion we can help. Contact us to see how our service center can fill in the gaps.

 

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Summer Series Recordings and Resources

Better AI That Is Actually Helpful (NotebookLM) 

Click Here for the recording.

View the presentation slides: Click Here. 
If you participated, please
submit for your certificate.


Simplifying Classroom Workflows with Smart Browser Hacks

Click Here for the recording.

View the presentation slides: Click Here. 
If you participated, please
submit for your certificate.


Maximizing Formative Assessment with Existing Google Tools

Click Here for the recording.

View the presentation slides: Click Here. 
If you participated, please
submit for your certificate.


Transforming Slide Decks into Active Learning

Click Here for the recording.

View the presentation slides: Click Here. 
If you participated, please
submit for your certificate.


Navigating Gemini Integration in Google Classroom

Click Here for the recording.

View the presentation slides: Click Here. 

If you participated, please submit for your certificate.





This week our Professional Learning Consultant Alice Keeler is going to dive into Google Gemini in Google Classroom . Register free to join at noon 
or receive the resources.

Join live Tuesday 7/7 at 12pm Central.

Link will be sent out 1 hour before the workshop.

Unable to participate? We will send out the recording 
and resources after the presentation.


Make sure you are signed up for updates.

 
 

Google Gemini


Last week we took a look at Google Gemini for everyday tasks. Below you'll find some tips for using it with Google Classroom. However, since not all schools use Google Classroom I have some more Gemini tips for you.

 

Use Your School Account


My first Google Gemini tip is... use your school account. Your free Gmail account is NOT FERPA and COPPA compliant.

Add Files - Send to Google Calendar


Notice the plus icon in the prompt box. Try adding your welcome back Google Doc or PDF and ask Gemini to create a calendar event for each date. Your Google Workspace apps will need to be enabled. Click on the settings cog in the sidebar to connect your Google Calendar and other applications.

 

Send to Google Keep


Google Keep is a convenient quick note application. If you like your response from Google Gemini, ask Gemini to send it to a Google Keep note.

Tip: Ask Gemini to strip the extra words.

Gemini is my biggest cheerleader to tell me what a good idea I have. However, I don't need this in my Keep notes. Try: "Please save these ideas in a Google Keep note in a concise list without the extra words."

 

Teaching with Google Workspace

Google Gemini in Google Classroom


Teaching is an art.


The art of teaching can not be replaced by an AI tool. Sure, they can create multiple choice quizzes fast, but is this really improving the quality of education?


Gemini in Google Classroom can also make a fast quiz, based on teacher content, but it also is designed to truly support teachers in teaching the standards in a creative way. This powerful AI assistant acts as your ultimate brainstorming partner.


Even better, Google offers these capabilities at no cost. Every Google Workspace for Education edition includes these features, even the free Education Fundamentals tier.


Gemini Features in Google Classroom:


The Gemini Tab

The Gemini tab lives in your side menu with 30 built in tools. You can generate unexpected lesson hooks and challenge students to think deeper right from the start of class.


Gemini Gems

Build a custom Socratic tutor. Design personalized AI companions grounded in class materials. Students debate these virtual experts to sharpen their analytical skills and test their own assumptions.


NotebookLM Integration

Transform passive reading into active synthesis. Upload up to fifty resources into a secure workspace. Students interact with ONLY your resources so you know the information is accurate and focused.


Standardized Test Prep

Partnering with The Princeton Review, Gemini offers full length practice tests. Students do not just practice. They dissect their mistakes to understand the underlying reasoning.


Read Along in Classroom

Ignite a love for storytelling. Teachers instantly craft tailored narratives matching individual reading levels. This tool lets you target comprehension skills with highly engaging creative stories.


Generative Media

Visualize abstract ideas. Transform text prompts into vibrant visual aids, diagrams, and infographics. You can prompt students to turn complex metaphors into concrete design projects.


Security remains a top priority. When you use school issued accounts, Google protects your data with enterprise grade security. Humans never review your data, and Google never uses your files to train AI.


For the summer, Alice Keeler is creating our PL Newsletter. As an Educational Technology and Math expert the summer newsletter will skew towards her expertise. Coming this fall we will feature segments from all of the Professional Learning Consultants at Orion. Stay tuned!

More Topics and Templates to Come!!

 
 

Summer 2026

Join Orion for Professional Learning

In Person, Virtual, Asynchronous, and Credit Earning


Ready to learn more? This summer we have a lot of options for you. Please reach out to akeeler@orioneducation.org for more details.

INSTRUCTOR: 

Alice Keeler

DATE: 
All Summer

TIME: 

Varies, see website



LOCATION:

Online or Asynchronous


IN PERSON:

ORION SERVICE CENTER

13939 Diagonal Rd, Clearwater, KS 67026


 
 

More to Come! Please share this newsletter with other educators and let us know what you'd like us to cover in the future.

For more information, contact Alice Keeler at akeeler@orioneducation.org.

Orion Education & Training offers a variety of onsite and online professional learning opportunities with new workshops available monthly.

To learn more, visit us at orioneducation.org and click WORKSHOPS,

or give us a call at 620-584-3300.