How do I use the Virtual Teaching Assistant Creation Gem?

What is a Gem?

A Gem is a customized version of Gemini built for a specific purpose. Once created, a Gem applies your instructions automatically, so you do not have to repeat context every time you start a new conversation. Common use cases include a syllabus bot, a subject matter expert, a research assistant, and a course designer.

The Virtual Teaching Assistant Creation Gem is shared with faculty as a starting point for building their own Virtual TA in Google Gemini.

Note: This Gem is shared as "Anyone at UNC Charlotte" can "View." You will not be able to edit the original Gem directly. Instead, you'll interact with it to generate custom instructions, which you'll then paste into a new Gem of your own to create your Virtual TA.

Phase 1: Access the Gem

A. Important: Confirm you are signed in to Google with your UNC Charlotte NinerNET credentials.

B. Navigate to the shared GEM link.

Phase 2: Customize your copy of the Gem

A. Follow the prompts; start out by saying "Hi."

B. The Gem Assistant will guide you through entering the information needed to customize your Virtual TA Gem.

 

C. Answer the prompts the Gem Assistant provides to customize your Virtual TA, including your course name, the name of the Virtual TA, the tone, the scope of what the Virtual TA should help with, and the audience.

D. Once you've provided the requested information, the Virtual Teaching Assistant Creation Gem will generate instructions for you to copy and paste into a new Gem.

Phase 3: Create your new Gem and add the instructions

A. Copy the instructions generated by the Virtual Teaching Assistant Creation Gem from Phase 2, Step D. You will paste these into your new Gem in a moment.

B. In the lower-left corner of the Gemini screen, select the Settings (gear icon).

C. From the menu that appears, select Gems.

D. Select + New Gem. 

E. The New Gem creation window will appear. Start by pasting the instructions you copied in Step A into the Instructions field.

F. Complete setting up your new Virtual TA Gem by giving it a Name, Description, and adding files, websites, and other key resources to the Knowledge section of the Gem. 

G. On the right side of the screen, enter a sample student question to preview how your new Gem responds.

H. Review the response for accuracy, tone, and course-specific relevance. Adjust the instructions and knowledge as needed, and preview again if helpful.

I. Once you’re satisfied with the responses, select Save.

Note: Previewing does not automatically save your Gem — this step is easy to miss.

Phase 4: After you publish

A. This is your own Gem — edits you make do not affect the Virtual Teaching Assistant Creation Gem or other faculty members' Gems.

B. You can revisit and update your Gem at any time as your course evolves. To make changes, go to Settings > Gems, then select the edit (pencil) icon next to your Virtual TA Gem.

C. To share access with students, use the Share icon to copy your Gem's link. Under General access, set the audience to UNC Charlotte, with permissions set to Anyone in this group with the link can View. Add this link to Canvas or your course syllabus so students can access your Virtual TA.

Additional resources

For more on creating, previewing, and saving Gems, see Google’s Gemini Apps Help documentation.

Still have questions? Submit a Help Ticket to OneIT at https://services.help.charlotte.edu