Generating Course Rubrics and Question Banks Using Gemini Notebook

Why Use Gemini Notebook for Assessments?

Writing detailed rubrics and diverse test questions that align perfectly with lecture notes is highly time-consuming. Generic AI tools often introduce external concepts or phrasing not taught in class. Because Gemini Notebook restricts its responses entirely to your uploaded files, it ensures that all generated quiz questions, answer keys, and grading criteria match your exact curriculum, vocabulary, and pedagogical standards.

Implementation

Step 1: Set Up Your Assessment Workspace

1. Log into Gemini Notebook using your university credentials to ensure enterprise data privacy.

2. Click New Notebook and title it: [Course Code] - Assessment Design Hub.

3. In the "Add sources" window, upload the material you want to test students on. Recommended sources include:

   • The specific weekly lecture slides, notes, or transcripts.

   • The targeted assignment prompt or project description.

   • Your university’s standard syllabus template (for institutional grading scales).

Step 2: Generate an Objective Grading Rubric

Use the chat interface to build a structured, 4-tier rubric tailored directly to an assignment.

• Action: Select your assignment prompt and lecture notes from the source list on the left, then enter the following prompt into the central chat box.

• Sample Prompt: > "Based on the uploaded assignment document titled [Insert File Name], generate a 4-tier grading rubric (Excellent, Proficient, Developing, Unsatisfactory) in a table format. The evaluation criteria must directly reflect the core themes discussed in the uploaded lecture notes. Ensure the point distribution totals 100 points and includes explicit, observable behaviors for each tier."

• Review: Review what was generated. You can hover over the footnote numbers to see what source the Notebook referenced. 

• Integrate into Canvas: Build the rubric in Canvas to use it for efficient grading using Speedgrader. 

Step 3: Create a Grounded Question Bank

Generate diverse formative or summative quiz questions built strictly around the uploaded class resources.

• Action: Ensure your lecture notes/readings are checked as sources, and prompt the chat interface.

• Sample Prompt: > "Review the uploaded lecture notes for Week 4. Generate a bank of 10 multiple-choice questions and 3 short-answer questions. Every question must test concepts explicitly stated in the source text. Provide an answer key at the bottom, including brief rationales explaining why the correct answer is right and why the distractors are wrong based on our text."

• Review: Review what was generated. You can hover over the footnote numbers to see what source the Notebook referenced. 

• Integrate into Canvas: Build the quiz in Canvas. Consider adding question feedback to quiz questions.  

Best Practices

• Audit for Rigor: Always verify that the generated "distractors" (incorrect multiple-choice options) are plausible and that the rubric tiers accurately reflect university-level expectations.

• Data Safety: Never upload historical student submissions, drafts, or grades to build rubrics, ensuring strict compliance with FERPA regulations.