Auditory Learning

Ever been excited about a lesson, only to wonder if your students will feel the same? We’ve all been there. Sometimes, no matter how much thought you put into it, certain content just feels dry or too new for students to fully engage with. But what if there was a way to bring that content to life, turning it into something more dynamic and conversational? That’s where Google NotebookLM’s Audio Overview feature comes in, giving your lesson a fresh twist through AI-driven dialogue.

Let me introduce you to Audio Overview, an experimental feature from Google’s Notebook LM. Imagine uploading your lesson materials and having two hosts create a lively conversation around your content. Instead of simply reading it aloud, they analyze it and turn it into a podcast-style discussion. The result? A dynamic back-and-forth that feels like you’re listening to real podcast hosts diving into the material, making it more engaging for your students.

Why This is Useful to You (and Your Students)

One of the key reasons Google NotebookLM’s Audio Overview is a game-changer for educators is that many of our students are auditory learners. This is especially true for our ESL students, who often benefit more from hearing a conversation about the content rather than just having it read aloud to them. When they listen to a dynamic discussion between two hosts, it adds depth and context to the material, making it easier for them to follow along and grasp the key points. By hearing how ideas are talked about, rather than just presented, they engage with the lesson in a way that’s more natural and memorable.

Another great benefit of these AI-generated podcasts is that they model how to have focused, meaningful conversations around educational content. For students, especially those still gaining confidence with the material, these conversations provide an example of how to break down complex ideas and engage in productive discussions. You can even use these podcasts as part of a scaffolding technique, gradually helping students become more comfortable with the content and with each other. Whether you use the fishbowl method, where a few students lead the discussion while others observe, or small group conversations, these podcasts can serve as a guide. Over time, students can start applying this approach to their own discussions, making it easier for them to dive deeper into what they’re learning.

What You’ll Notice about Google NotebookLM’s Audio Overview

When you generate an audio overview, you’ll notice a few impressive details right away. The two AI chatbots sound incredibly lifelike, often adding natural pauses, hmm’s, ah’s, or even subtle breaths, making it feel like you’re listening to real people, not computer-generated voices. They don’t just read the material—they engage with it, using analogies and vivid descriptions to help the listener grasp the concepts more easily. The chatbots also bring in relevant applications, making the content feel relatable and actionable. Plus, they play off each other seamlessly, like seasoned podcast hosts who are comfortable working together, which adds to the authenticity and flow of the conversation. You can listen to the audio overview that was generated while creating the video tutorial which is shared below after the step-by-step directions.

How to Get Started with Google NotebookLM’s Audio Overview

1. Access NotebookLM
   1. Go to notebooklm.google.com 
   2. Sign in with your Google account
2. Create a new notebook
   1. Click on the “New Notebook” box with a plus sign
3. Add sources
   1. Choose from available options to add sources to your notebook: drag and drop files to upload, import from Google Drive, add a website link, or copy and paste text
   2. Note: Only PDF, text, and markdown file types are currently supported if you want to upload sources.
   3. To add more resources, just click on the plus sign to the right of Sources in the left-hand column. Add your source using the options available.
4. Review notebook guide
   1. Examine the summary of the imported content 
   2. Explore additional creation options (FAQ, study guide, table of contents, etc.)
   3. Click on Untitled notebook to rename it. Be sure that your name does not contain any punctuation since the name of the notebook is used to name the audio file.
5. Generate Deep Dive Conversation
   1. Locate the Deep Dive Conversation box in the top right corner 
   2. Click the Generate button 
   3. Wait for the AI to create the conversation (may take several minutes)
   4. Note: This process can run in the background or be completed later
6. Listen to the generated audio overview
   1. Play the audio once generation is complete 
   2. Provide feedback using thumbs-up or thumbs-down buttons
7. Manage the audio overview
   1. Click the More icon to access additional options to change playback speed, download the audio file, and/or delete the audio overview
8. Optional: Create multiple versions
   1. Download the current audio overview. This will download the audio overview as a .wav file.
   2. Delete the online version if you prefer.
   3. Regenerate a new audio overview (you must delete the current overview before regenerating a new one). Regenerated audio overviews are not duplicates though they are based on the sources you supplied.
   4. Compare the two versions or provide options for students to either (or both) audio overviews.

Here is the audio overview that was generated by the sources that were used in the video above.

I Don’t Have Access

Some educators may not have access if it has not been made available to you by your district Google Administrator. NotebookLM is currently available to personal Google accounts and to users of participating enterprise Google Workspace or Google Workspace for Education accounts. If you’re using a company or educational email and can’t access the app, check out this help center article and reach out to your workspace admin to enable the NotebookLM app for your organization.

Join the Conversation Enhancing Education with AI

So, are you ready to implement AI and revolutionize lessons in your classroom? Google NotebookLM’s Audio Overview feature gives you the chance to turn your lessons into engaging, podcast-style discussions. This tool is perfect for making tough topics easier to understand, especially for auditory learners, and can be a great model for student-led discussions. How do you see yourself using it with your students? What lessons or subjects would benefit most? Share your thoughts, ideas, or questions below. Let’s work together to explore how AI can create more dynamic and inclusive learning experiences for everyone.