NotebookLM: A Basic Guide for Postgraduate Students
Introduction
This guide is written for postgraduate students in Vietnam who are new to using
NotebookLM. NotebookLM is a smart note-taking tool developed by Google. It uses
artificial intelligence (AI) to help you study and organise your information more
effectively. With NotebookLM, you can upload documents, ask questions, get
summaries and explanations, and use media tools to support your learning. This
guide will help you understand how to use NotebookLM step by step.
1. What is NotebookLM?
NotebookLM is an online learning tool that helps students learn faster and better. It
allows you to:
- Upload your own study materials (PDFs, Google Docs, text files)
- Ask questions about your materials
- Get summaries of your notes
- Organise your information into notebooks and sections
- Add media like images and links to your notes
It is useful for writing papers, preparing presentations, and reviewing research
materials.
2. How to Access NotebookLM
To use NotebookLM, you need:
- A Gmail account (Google account)
- Internet connection
- A computer, tablet, or smartphone with a browser
Steps to access:
1. Go to [Link]
2. Sign in with your Gmail account
3. Click “Create a new notebook” to start
3. How to Use NotebookLM: Basic Steps
Step 1: Create a Notebook
- Click on “New Notebook”
- Give your notebook a title (e.g., Thesis Notes)
Step 2: Upload Materials
- Click “Upload” or “Add Source”
- Upload PDFs, Google Docs, or copy and paste text
- The system will read and organise your content
Step 3: Ask Questions
- Use the chat box to type a question
- For example: “What is the main idea of this paper?”
- NotebookLM will give you a short answer based on your documents
Step 4: Make Notes
- You can write your own notes inside the notebook
- Organise them into sections for easier review
Step 5: Add Media
- You can insert media such as images, links, or embedded videos
- Click on the “Insert” icon or use the toolbar
- For example: add a diagram to explain a research model
Step 6: Save and Review
- Everything you type is saved automatically
- You can return to your notebook anytime
4. Extra Functions in NotebookLM
Summarisation Tool
- Summarises long texts into short, clear points
- Helps you understand large documents faster
Citation Generator
- Provides references and sources for AI-generated content
- You can copy and paste citations into your research
Highlighting and Tagging
- Highlight important parts of your documents
- Tag notes with keywords to find them easily later
Collaboration (coming soon)
- In the future, you may be able to share your notebook with classmates
- This will support group projects and peer review
5. Useful Tips for Postgraduate Students
- Use one notebook for each subject or project
- Upload only important documents (journal articles, textbooks, notes)
- Ask clear and simple questions
- Review the AI-generated answers carefully. Sometimes, they may not be perfect.
- Use NotebookLM as a support tool, not a replacement for your thinking
- Insert diagrams, links to videos, or images to enhance your understanding
6. Example Use Cases
For Research Writing:
- Upload your articles
- Ask: “What methods did the authors use?”
- Use the summary to write your literature review
- Add relevant diagrams or images to illustrate points
For Exam Preparation:
- Upload lecture slides and notes
- Ask: “What are the key points in chapter 3?”
- Create summary notes in your notebook
- Use highlights and tags to mark important ideas
For Presentations:
- Upload your report
- Ask: “Can you give me a short summary of this report?”
- Use the summary in your PowerPoint slides
- Add media to explain your slides more clearly
7. Ethical Use and Academic Integrity
NotebookLM is a helpful tool, but you must use it responsibly:
- Do not copy AI answers directly into your assignments
- Always check and edit the information provided
- Use your own words when writing
- Respect copyright and cite original authors
- Avoid relying only on AI-generated summaries for your understanding
Conclusion
NotebookLM can make your postgraduate study easier and more organised. This
basic guide is your first step. Practice using the tool and explore its features slowly.
The more you use it, the more confident you will become. Always use it wisely to
support your learning journey.
Glossary
- AI (Artificial Intelligence): A computer program that thinks and learns like a
human
- Upload: To move a file from your computer to the internet
- Summary: A short version of a longer text
- Media: Images, videos, or links added to your notes
- Academic Integrity: Being honest in your studies and writing
