Confidence and Creativity with AI: Google NotebookLM for Lifelong Learning

Workshop: Confidence and Creativity with AI: Google NotebookLM for Lifelong Learning

This workshop is for OLLI Instructors

January 8 and 15, from 1:00 - 3:00 p.m.
at Berkshire Community College

In-person only
Free for OLLI instructors

The goal of this hands-on workshop is to build confidence and provide practical skills for integrating AI into research, academic preparation, and volunteer work. Participants will explore Google NotebookLM, a free and private "source grounded" AI tool that works with uploaded materials such as PDFs, lecture notes, website articles, and even YouTube videos. The tool's feature set supports different learning preferences, whether you learn best by reading, listening, or watching.

Across two sessions, participants will learn essential AI best practices, including recognizing limitations such as hallucinations and bias, and using simple prompt techniques to communicate effectively with AI. The workshop covers advanced features, including audio overview for podcast-style summaries, video explainers generated from your own sources, and report generation for compiling structured documents.

The goal is to leave with curiosity, confidence, and your first AI-powered notebook ready to support your learning.

Format: Two 2-hour sessions each workshop

Participant Requirements:

• Fully charged laptop and charger

• Google account with password tested before class

Tina Brissette specializes in helping lifelong learners feel confident using AI tools, especially those with limited technical backgrounds. Her teaching philosophy is straightforward: AI should support human work, not replace it.

Tina's AI journey began in 2022 with image generation tools like DALL-E, and she has been exploring practical AI applications ever since. She holds a Psychology degree from Rhode Island College and brings over 35 years of experience helping people learn, step by step, at their own pace, in their own style. She uses creative approaches to meet learners where they are.

As a volunteer with RSVP Pittsfield and OLLI, Tina delivers hands-on workshops on ChatGPT, NotebookLM, Google AI Studio, and Gamma.app. She is also developing an AI-assisted mystery audio drama series for Berkshire Talking Chronicle using ElevenLabs AI voice synthesis.

Sign up today!

Register online or call 413.236.2190 (M-F 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.) to register by phone with a credit card.