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Quick Links: | Prerequisites | Instructions | Troubleshooting | Next Steps |
Introduction - What is a Gemini Gem?
A Gem is a custom version of Gemini that acts as a specialized AI assistant. You configure it once with specific instructions and knowledge, allowing you to automate recurring academic tasks without rewriting complex prompts every time.
Think of standard Gemini as a brilliant but general-purpose intern who needs detailed instructions for every single task.
A Gem is that same intern after you have trained them. It knows your specific role, your preferred tone, and your course materials, so it gets the job done right the first time.
How It Works
A Gem is built on two core components that you set up once:
- Instructions: A permanent set of rules telling the AI who to be (e.g., "Act as a strict copy editor") and how to behave (e.g., "Always cite APA format").
- Knowledge (Optional): You can upload files—such as your syllabus, assignment rubrics, or department style guides—that the Gem will reference every time you use it.
Prerequisites
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Access to Gemini at Chico State
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A clear idea of the task(s) you want a Gem to perform (e.g., rubric-based review, quiz generation, announcement drafting).
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Any reference materials you want the Gem to follow (rubrics, tone/style notes, sample prompts).
Ideas for Gems
The Rubric Reviewer (Grading Support) - You paste a student's draft; the Gem reviews it strictly against the specific grading rubric you uploaded and suggests feedback.
The Syllabus Sentinel (Course FAQ) - You (or students) ask questions like "When is the midterm?" or "What is the policy on late work?"; the Gem answers solely based on your uploaded syllabus.
The Tone Polisher (Communication) - You draft a quick, bulleted list of points for an announcement; the Gem rewrites it into a warm, encouraging, professional email to students.
The Socratic Tutor: (Student Study Tool) - A Gem shared with students that is instructed never to give the answer, but instead to ask guiding questions to help them solve problems on their own.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Create and use Gems
To create reusable AI assistants (“Gems”) and use them in your Canvas courses, do the following:
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Open Google Drive and access the top, right menu. Select Gemini. Alternatively, you can go to gemini.google.com and sign in with your Chico State credentials.
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In the Gemini interface, select Gems from the left menu.
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Next, select the button that says + Gem
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Name your Gem clearly (e.g., “ENG 130—Assignment Prompt Writer” or “Syllabus Sentinel”).
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Provide a brief description. The description will display when the user opens the Gem (e.g., Ask me anything about our syllabus).
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In the Gem’s instructions, paste or write the guidance you always want followed. Include:
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Purpose and role (e.g., “You are a rubric-aligned reviewer for [Course].”)
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Tone and voice expectations (e.g., “Use concise, supportive feedback.”)
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Inputs you’ll provide (e.g., “I will paste student work and the rubric.”)
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Output format (e.g., “Return a scored table with strengths, gaps, and next steps.”)
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(Optional) Add course-specific references the Gem should honor (rubrics, learning outcomes, style notes).
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Select Save.
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Sharing your Gem. Click the ‘share’ button and customize to whom you’d like to share the Gem; individual email addresses, all users at CSU Chico, or you can create a public link to share with anyone. Provide users with the share link. You can also request that Gemini LTI be turned on in your Canvas course(s).
Sample Gem - Play with a sample, or create your own Syllabus Sentinel
Here is the complete, copy-paste ready instruction set for the "Syllabus Sentinel."
This prompt is engineered to be strict. It forces the AI to ignore its vast internal knowledge base (like who the President is or how to solve math problems) and rely exclusively on the file you upload.
Want to test it out before building your own? Try this sample syllabus sentinel. Ask this sentinel ‘what’s for dinner’, or ‘where is my professor’. (This sample sentinel is using the exact code shown below. You can replace the knowledge piece with your own course syllabus.)
Step 1: The System Instructions
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Name your Gem (Ethics in AI Syllabus Sentinel).
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Add a brief description. (Ask me anything about our syllabus.)
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Copy the text inside the block below and paste it directly into the "Instructions" box in the Gem Manager. (The block of text starts with ‘role’ and ends with ‘tone’.)
Role: You are the "Syllabus Sentinel," a specialized course assistant designed to answer student questions strictly based on the uploaded course documents.
Objective: Your goal is to provide accurate administrative and policy answers to students, ensuring they understand course expectations without providing unauthorized assistance or outside information.
CRITICAL CONSTRAINTS (Read Carefully):
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Source of Truth: You must answer questions based ONLY on the information provided in the uploaded files (Knowledge).
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No Outside Knowledge: Do not use your internal training data to answer questions about general facts, history, math, or world events.
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No Content Generation: Do not write essays, generate code, or solve homework problems unless the specific solution is explicitly written in the syllabus (which is unlikely).
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Admit Ignorance: If the answer to a question is not found in the document, state clearly: "I reviewed the syllabus, but I cannot find a policy regarding [topic]. Please contact the professor directly."
Tone: Professional, objective, and concise.
Step 2: The Knowledge (The Syllabus)
For this Gem to work, you must upload a file in the "Knowledge" section of the Gem editor.
If you want to test this immediately without digging up a real file, copy the text below, paste it into a Google Doc, and add that Doc as the knowledge source. It should prompt you to make the Google Doc public. After completing this step, be sure to click ‘save’. Test your syllabus sentinel by asking it questions. Get the ‘share link’ to provide to your students, or request Gemini LTI be turned on in your Canvas course(s).
Sample Syllabus
Course: Introduction to AI Ethics (AIE 101) Professor: Dr. Smith Email: smith@example.edu Office Hours: Tuesdays 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM in Room 304.
Contact Information: Meet in person or via Zoom. Office: Tehama 10th floor, Office 1011. Phone: 999-999-9999 or email me at smith@example.edu. Zoom link:not-today-zoomroom
Late Policy: All assignments are due by 11:59 PM on the due date. Late work is accepted up to 48 hours late with a penalty of 10% per day. Work submitted after 48 hours will receive a zero.
Grading Scale: A: 90-100% B: 80-89% C: 70-79% D: 60-69% F: Below 60%
Attendance: Attendance is mandatory. You are allowed 2 unexcused absences. Each additional absence will result in a 2% deduction from your final grade.
Chico State Basic Needs Project
The Hungry Wildcat Food Pantry offers supplemental food, fresh produce, CalFresh application assistance, and referral services for basic needs to students facing food and housing insecurity. All students are welcome to visit the Pantry located in the Student Service Center 196, open Monday-Friday, 11am-4pm or call 530-898-4098.
Please visit the Chico State Basic Needs website for more information.
Troubleshooting
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Outputs aren’t following your expectations: Edit the Gem to clarify role, tone, inputs, and required output format. Include concrete examples and a short checklist the Gem must follow. Ask Gemini AI to help you improve the instructions by telling it what it is doing wrong and ask it to fix your instructions.
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You need different behavior for different classes: Create separate Gems per course (and term) with course codes in the name to avoid confusion and keep instructions specific.
Next Steps (Optional)
Still need help? Faculty and staff can reach out to the Technology & Learning Program. Students can reach out to the Center for Technology Equity.
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