Canvas @ Yale

Gemini LTI: Gems Vs. Notebooks

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The Gemini LTI provides instructors the ability to create and bring in existing Gems / Notebooks directly to a Canvas course site. The following table can provide a helpful overview of the general features and functions of a Gem / Notebook to help guide your choice in using the Gemini LTI effectively.

Gemini LTI is Configured for Yale Google Accounts

Users must use a Yale Eli Apps Google account. Personal / non-Yale Google accounts are not accepted and will fail to load the Gemini LTI tool in Canvas @ Yale. If you do not have a Yale Eli Apps account, please contact the ITS Help Desk or your school’s IT support service.

Request Access to Gemini LTI for Fall 2026 / Spring 2027

Please indicate your interest in using Gemini LTI for the Fall 2026 or Spring 2027 term. Please complete the AI & Ed Tech Pilot form once for each tool you are interested in requesting, and you can indicate up to 2 courses per submission. While completing this form is not a guarantee, we will make ever effort to provide licenses for next year.

Feature / FunctionGemsNotebooks
Main PurposeCustom ChatbotKnowledge-based Notebook with "Studio" learning items that can be generated by the Notebook owner / editors
Supports System Prompt / InstructionsYesNo
Upload Knowledge Base

Yes

Must be added after the Gem in created

Does not support selecting Canvas course content directly

Yes

Can add Canvas course content at time of creation

Can add additional non-Canvas materials after creation

File SharingFiles / Sources that are added to the Knowledge Base for a Gem are shared in a "View" only capacity with users

Files / Sources that are added to the Knowledge Base for a Notebook are shared in a "View" only capacity with users

Canvas course Files shared with a Notebook are added to your Yale Eli Apps Google Drive and then shared in a "View" only capacity with users

Other Canvas course materials shared with a Notebook (such as a Canvas Page) creates a copy & pasted "source" item in the Notebook (it does not create an item in Google Drive) that cannot be edited once added (besides deleting it) and does not change if the Page on Canvas is updated / changed

Clone / Copy Behavior

Editors - Can Clone / Copy Gem

Viewers - Cannot Clone / Copy Gem

Editors - Can Clone / Copy Notebook

Viewers - Cannot Clone / Copy Notebook

Role PermissionsManaged by Gemini LTI, but can be updated manually in the Gem itselfManaged by Gemini LTI, but can be updated manually in the Notebook itself

For help with the Gemini LTI, please contact [email protected]

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