Welcome to Google Gemini, Davidson's new generative AI tool! Gemini is designed to help you with a wide range of tasks, from brainstorming ideas to drafting content and summarizing information.

Through your existing Google access at Davidson, you can access Gemini chat and NotebookLM with the same data protections that apply to your Davidson Google Drive. This means your data within these tools is handled securely and in accordance with our institutional agreements with Google. This means your chats are not used for further training. 

For more information about the types of data that can be used in Gemini, see the Davidson Data Categories article.

Note: This information was updated November 2025 

Table of Contents

How to Access and Sign In

What is Gemini for?

Known Limitations

Tips for Effective Use

Beyond Basic Chat
 

How to Access and Sign In

Go to: gemini.google.com.

Sign in with your Davidson College email address (e.g., username@davidson.edu).

You will know you’re on Davidson’s Gemini if you see a shield icon next to the prompt box on the Gemini homepage. 

What is Gemini for?

Think of Gemini as a powerful assistant that can help you:

• Brainstorm ideas: Get unstuck on a project or topic.
• Draft content: Generate initial drafts of emails, essays, summaries, or code.
• Summarize information: Quickly grasp the main points of long documents or articles.
• Learn and research: Ask questions to deepen your understanding of complex topics.
• Organize your thoughts: Structure notes, create outlines, or plan tasks.
• Use NotebookLM: This companion tool leveraging Gemini allows you to upload documents (like PDFs, Google Docs) and then chat with an AI about their content, helping you synthesize information and generate insights from your sources. You can access NotebookLM at notebooklm.google.com 

Known Limitation

While Gemini is powerful, there is a limited usage constraint:

• There are usage limits on the number of prompts and conversations you can have within a specific timeframe. If you hit a limit, you'll be notified, and your capacity will replenish over time.
  • Gemini Fast has generous limits, while Gemini Thinking has stricter limits. If you hit capacity, your ability to use Thinking is restored 24 hours after hitting the limit. 

Tips for Effective Use

To get the most out of Gemini, consider these tips:

• Be specific: The more detailed your prompt, the better Gemini's response will be.
• Experiment: Try different ways of asking questions or giving instructions.
• Iterate: If you don't get what you need at first, refine your prompt and try again.

Beyond Basic Chat

As you become more comfortable with Gemini, you'll discover features that allow for even more tailored assistance. One of the most powerful of these features is "Gems."

What are "Gems" in Gemini?

Think of a "Gem" as your customized AI assistant within Gemini. Instead of starting a new chat from scratch every time and explaining what you need, a Gem allows you to save specific instructions and information for Gemini to remember. It's like having a specialized AI expert ready to go for particular tasks, contextualized by you for your specific needs.

Why are "Gems" Useful?

Gems are incredibly helpful because they:

• Save Time: Instead of repeatedly typing out the same instructions (e.g., "Act as a history tutor," "Summarize this in bullet points," "Write code in Python"), your Gem already knows what to do.
• Ensure Consistency: If you need Gemini to respond in a specific tone, style, or format, a Gem can enforce those rules every time you use it. This is great for academic writing, report generation, or even personal project planning.
• Provide Context: You can "teach" a Gem by providing it with files (like your research papers, notes, or specific formatting guidelines). This means the Gem has that information readily available for every conversation, leading to more accurate and relevant responses.
• Create Specialized Assistants: You can build a Gem for almost anything! Imagine a "Research Paper Outliner Gem," a "Coding Debugger Gem," or even a "Study Group Facilitator Gem."

How to Set up a Gem

Currently, you primarily create and edit Gems from the Gemini web interface (gemini.google.com).

1. Go to gemini.google.com and make sure you're signed in with your Davidson email.
2. Look for the "Explore Gems" or "Gem manager" option. This is usually found in the left-hand sidebar if you scroll up. It might look like a jewel icon.
3. 3. Click "New Gem."
4. Name your Gem: Give it a clear name that describes its purpose (e.g., "Essay Editor," "Python Helper," "Brainstorming Buddy").
5. Write Instructions: This is the most important part! Tell Gemini what you want this Gem to do. Be as specific as possible.
   • Example for an "Alt Text Generator": "You generate Alt text for a given image. I will provide you with an image and a brief 3-5 word description. You will analyze the image, and then generate alt-text for me in markdown formatting so that I can immediately apply it to my website for usage alongside the image.”
6. Optional: Add Files: You can upload files (like a style guide, a specific research paper, or even your own previous writing samples) that your Gem can reference. This gives your Gem even more context!
   • Hint: Google Docs and Sheets are currently "live" linked, meaning updates to those files in your Drive will reflect in the Gem automatically.
   • We recommend using Google Docs, Google Sheets, or Google Slides as your knowledge base, especially if you would like to share the Gem.
7. Test your Gem: On the right side of the Gem builder, you'll see a preview area. Try chatting with your new Gem to see if it responds the way you expect. Refine your instructions based on the results.
8. Click "Save."

Once saved, your Gem will appear in your "Gems" list, ready to be used whenever you need its specialized help! Just click on it to start a new chat with your custom AI assistant.

We encourage you to explore Google Gemini and discover how it can enhance your work and learning at Davidson College!

Sharing Your Gemini Gems

Accessing a Gem Shared With You

When someone shares a Gem with you, you'll typically get an email notification. The process for accessing it for the first time is unique.

1. Navigate to your Google Drive and click on the "Shared with me" section in the left-hand menu.
2. Find and open the Gem file from this location.
3. After you've used the Gem once, it will automatically appear at the bottom of your "Explore Gems" list on gemini.google.com for easy access in the future.

How to Share Your Gem

You can share your Gem directly with specific people or by generating a general access link.

Share with Specific People

1. On your computer, go to gemini.google.com.
2. Click Explore Gems on the left.
3. Next to the Gem you want to share, click the Share icon.
4. Enter the email address(es) you want to share with.
5. Assign a role: Viewer (can use the Gem) or Editor (can use and modify the Gem).
6. Optional Steps:
   • To set a time limit on their access, click Add expiration.
   • Add a custom message to the notification email.
   • Uncheck Notify people if you don't want an email to be sent.
7. Click Send or Share.

Share with a Link

1. In the Share menu, click Copy link.
2. Paste the link where you want to share it, such as in a messaging app or email.

Note: For others to use the link, they must have access. You can either grant them access individually or change the Gem's general access settings.

Managing Permissions and Ownership

You have granular control over who can access your Gem and what they can do with it.

• Viewer: Can use the shared Gem and view its instructions and any uploaded files. They cannot make changes.
• Editor: Has full control. They can use, modify, share, and even delete the Gem.
• Transfer Ownership: You can transfer ownership to another user who already has Editor access. In the Share menu, click their role and select Transfer ownership. Warning: A new owner can remove your access entirely.

Important Notes on Files and Troubleshooting

• How Files are Handled: You can add files to your Gem from Google Drive or by uploading them directly from your device. When you share a Gem containing device files, a new folder is automatically created in your Google Drive to store and share those files.
• Best Practice: For the most straightforward experience, it's recommended to have all files for a shareable Gem already organized in your Google Drive before you build the Gem.
• Granting Permissions: When you share, you will be prompted to grant access to the associated files. Don't share a Gem with anyone you don't want to see the files inside.
• Can't Share?: If you don't see the Share option, your Gem may contain an unsupported file type.