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*Effective Thursday, October 2nd 2025*
Welcome to a new era of digital assistance at our institution! We are excited to announce that Google Gemini is now available for all students, faculty, and staff. As a powerful conversational AI, Gemini is designed to help you brainstorm ideas, draft emails, summarize complex topics, and so much more. This article will guide you through the basics of using Gemini to enhance your academic and professional experience on campus.
Contents
- What is Gemini?
- How to Access Gemini
- Key Features and Examples of Use
- Important Reminders
- FAQs
What is Gemini?
Gemini is a large language model (LLM) developed by Google. Think of it as a smart, versatile tool you can chat with. It uses a vast amount of information to understand your requests and generate responses, answer questions, and even create content. Unlike a simple search engine, Gemini can process and synthesize information in a way that helps you with creative and analytical tasks.
How to Access Gemini
As a member of TCNJ, you have access to Gemini through your TCNJ Google account. Simply visit gemini.google.com and log in with your college credentials.
You can also access Gemini by clicking on the "App Launcher Icon" (also known as the “waffle”) in any Google App and then clicking on “Gemini”. You may need to scroll down to see it listed.
Gemini is also available as a downloadable app on smartphones and tablets. You can download it from your applicable app store and sign in with your TCNJ Google Account.
NOTE: It is important to ensure you are signed in and using Gemini with your TCNJ account to keep your data protected within our Google tenant.
Key Features and Examples of Use
Gemini is a versatile tool that can assist you in many ways. Here are a few examples:
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For Academic Work and Research:
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Summarize a document: Paste a long article or research paper and ask Gemini to provide a concise summary of the key findings.
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Brainstorm a research topic: Input your broad interests and ask Gemini to suggest specific, focused research questions.
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Explain a complex concept: Ask it to explain a difficult theory or formula in simple terms. For example, "Explain machine learning in a way a college student could understand."
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For Communication and Professional Tasks:
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Draft an email: Ask Gemini to "Draft a polite email to my professor asking for an extension on a paper." You can include specific details to personalize the draft.
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Write a job description: Ask Gemini to "Write a job description for an Academic Advisor focusing on providing students with information and resources on navigating their major."
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For Creative and Everyday Tasks:
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Outline a short story or poem: Give it a prompt and let it generate an outline to help you get started on a creative writing assignment.
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Generate code snippets: If you are a developer, ask Gemini to "Write a Python script that scrapes data from a website."
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Plan an event: Ask it to create a timeline and checklist for a club meeting or a small campus event.
Important Reminders
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Gemini is a tool, not a replacement: While Gemini is incredibly helpful, it's not perfect. Always verify the accuracy of any facts, data, or references it provides.
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Protect sensitive information: Do not input any personally identifiable information (PII) or sensitive data into Gemini.
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Give clear instructions: The quality of Gemini's response is directly related to the clarity of your prompt. Be specific, provide context, and define the desired format (e.g., "in five bullet points," "as a table," "in a professional tone"). The better the prompt, the better the response.
FAQs
Q: Is Gemini the same as Bard?
A: Gemini is the new name for the chatbot formerly known as Bard. It is now powered by Google's most advanced family of AI models, also called Gemini.
Q: Is my data safe when I use Gemini with my TCNJ account?
A: Yes. When you use Gemini with your TCNJ Google Workspace for Education account, your data is covered by enterprise-grade data protection. This means your conversations are not human-reviewed and are not used to train the AI models.
Q: Can Gemini help me with my homework?
A: Gemini can be a valuable learning tool. It can help you understand complex topics, generate practice materials, and provide feedback on your writing. However, it is important to use it responsibly and not to simply copy and paste answers. The goal is to use Gemini to enhance your learning, not to replace it.
Q: Are there any usage limits with an education license?
A: While the free education license provides a great deal of access, some features may have usage limits. You'll typically be notified if you're approaching a limit.
Q: What features of Gemini do I have access to with an education license?
A: The college provides the campus community with a standard (free) education license, which includes a robust set of features with enterprise-grade data protection. You have access to the core conversational AI and integration with Google Workspace apps. Some advanced features, such as video generation and high-volume usage of tools like "Deep Research" and image creation, are not currently available. Please review this document for a list of available features.
We encourage the campus community to check out the in depth resources provided by the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning about Artificial Intelligence (AI). Additionally, please check out our LinkedIn Learning course designed to provide the campus with some basic knowledge about the AI tools available at the college.
Additional Resources:
Need More Help?
If you have questions or want to explore the basics of Gemini, we encourage you to attend one of our upcoming “open labs” on Oct 15 from 2PM-3PM & October 22 from 11AM-12PM in Library 2 computer lab. Seating is limited and registration is required. These sessions will include live demos, Q&A, and hands-on support. You can register by filling out this Google Form.
Visit the Help Desk main webpage for further details and registration.