More Impactful Teaching With Flipping Learning & NotebookLM Podcasts

Imagine a classroom where students arrive prepared for lessons, having already accessed direct instruction online. This could include videos, readings, or podcasts created by Google’s NotebookLM, completed at their own pace. In-class time is then dedicated to applying that learning through discussions, group work, and personalised support. This scenario is real for many teachers who have adopted a flipped learning approach. 

As a teacher, I am always looking for new ways to make learning more meaningful, ways that help our students grow into independent, curious learners. I’ve tried various approaches for independent learning, such as self-directed learning, inquiry-based learning, and project-based learning, but found flipped learning is the most impactful for our learners. Flipped learning is a great way to keep students engaged while giving 

them more control over their learning journey. 

In a flipped classroom, in-class time becomes more interactive and focused on the following:

DISCUSSIONS AND PROBLEM-SOLVING

Engage in meaningful conversations, collaborate in group projects, and let students apply what they’ve learned.

PERSONALISED SUPPORT

Spend time with students who need extra guidance, or push those who are ready for more advanced challenges.

HANDS-ON LEARNING EXPERIENCES

Provide opportunities for students to actively engage with the material through experiments, projects, or creative tasks. For example, students could design models, conduct science experiments, or create multimedia presentations that apply the concepts they’ve learned during their independent study.

For flipped learning to work, the tools you use outside of class are key. That’s where NotebookLM and podcasts come in handy.

NotebookLM: Your AI Learning/Teaching Partner

NotebookLM is Google’s new AI-driven learning assistant, and it’s not just another tool. Google calls it “Your personalised AI research assistant,” and it lives up to that promise by being more than a chatbot.

Here’s why NotebookLM stands out:

ALL-IN-ONE CONTENT HUB

With NotebookLM, you can upload up to 50 different types of sources—everything from PDFs, Google Docs, and Slides to YouTube videos, websites, and audio files. It’s like having an organised, interactive folder for all your course materials.

QUICK SUMMARIES AND STUDY GUIDES

NotebookLM can create summaries, study guides, timelines, or FAQs from your materials with just a click. Students get a snapshot of the key ideas without feeling overwhelmed.

RELIABLE ANSWERS WITH CITATIONS

Unlike other large language model AI chatbots, NotebookLM provides answers directly from your documents, with inline citations linking back to the source. This ensures that students know exactly where their information is coming from.

PRIVACY-FOCUSED

NotebookLM ensures privacy—your questions and the assistant’s responses are kept private, and your data isn’t used for training.

AUDIO SUMMARIES IN A PODCAST STYLE

One of the best new features is its ability to turn content into audio summaries—like a podcast. It’s perfect for students who learn better by listening, especially while they’re on the go.

My Experience with NotebookLM

I enjoy exploring new technologies, but when it comes to my classroom, ensuring my adult students receive reliable information is my top priority. This year, I’m teaching a Level 1 Community Interpreting course, which requires curated, trustworthy content. That’s why I turned to NotebookLM.

For our first week, I built a NotebookLM notebook containing the course outline, specifications, and scheme of work. I also uploaded other course materials. My plan was to let students interact with it directly, but I quickly hit a roadblock—students couldn’t access NotebookLM through their college accounts.

That didn’t stop us; we still used NotebookLM in class together through my account (something you might consider if your students are too young to access the tool directly). Students asked questions, and they loved the suggested prompts from

NotebookLM—it got them thinking more deeply and encouraged them to  come up

with new questions.

At the end of the session, we created an audio podcast summarising key points, which I shared through Google Classroom. It only took two clicks.

It was so successful, we started creating podcasts for each unit and sharing them through Google Classroom. Student response has been fantastic. They told us that they listen while doing chores, waiting at the school gate, or during their commute. It helps them come prepared and makes them more eager to join in because they already know some of the content. 

Right now, NotebookLM podcasts are available in two American English voices, but I’m confident that more options will be available soon. In the latest October update, Google added a “Customise” button, which allows you to focus on specific sources, topics, or audiences (like students or teachers). You can even set the length of the podcast—though this feature is still being refined.

Once you’ve downloaded the audio podcast, you can upload it back into NotebookLM to generate a transcript. This is especially useful for students who prefer written content or need extra accessibility support.

NotebookLM: A Teacher’s Tool 

NotebookLM isn’t just helpful for students—it’s great for teachers too. I can ask, "What are the learning goals for week 10?" and get a detailed overview, making prep work a lot easier. You can also ask it to create specific materials. For example, I asked NotebookLM to generate a reading passage with multiple-choice questions—all within the tool.

To get the most out of NotebookLM, focus each notebook on one specific topic. This helps generate more accurate and relevant responses. I’ve found that using one key source for each notebook works best, especially when creating targeted podcasts.

Challenge: Try NotebookLM Yourself

1. Go to NotebookLM.

2. Click “+ Create New”.

3. Upload a few documents from your Google Drive.

4. Add a link from an open website, press insert, and start interacting and exploring your sources.

   
   

NotebookLM and Podcasts in Flipped Learning is where classrooms can become places of connection and creativity, while independent study becomes something students look forward to.

Please note: NotebookLM is available to all users (18+) in the 180+ regions where the Gemini API is available. notebooklm.google.com