[Day 4] NotebookLM: The All-in-One Learning Tool That Replaced Other Apps
I uploaded one PDF chapter on biomechanics and five minutes later had a polished infographic, a 12-question quiz, 51 flashcards, and a podcast episode—all generated by AI, all grounded exclusively in my source material with zero hallucinations. No Canva, no Anki, no quiz app, no piecing together outputs from different tools. Today’s experiment explores NotebookLM, Google’s quietly powerful (and still free) learning tool that handles production while you handle curation, and what it reveals about the shifting role of humans in AI-augmented learning.
What if a single AI tool could replace your flashcard app, your quiz generator, your infographic designer, your podcast player, and your research assistant—all while drawing exclusively from sources you trust? Today I discovered that NotebookLM does exactly that, and it’s transformed how I approach learning complex technical material.
Today’s Experiment
I’m currently studying for the NSCA CSCS (Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist) certification—a credential that requires deep understanding of exercise physiology, biomechanics, and program design. As someone without a formal background in sports science, I needed a way to efficiently absorb and retain dense technical content. My experiment: Could NotebookLM serve as my complete learning ecosystem for mastering biomechanics fundamentals?
The Process
I started by uploading a single PDF—Chapter 2 from my CSCS study materials on Biomechanics. In NotebookLM, you create a ‘notebook’ with your sources (PDFs, documents, audio clips, even URLs), and the AI grounds all its responses exclusively in that material. No hallucinations about facts that aren’t in your source deck.
From there, I explored the ‘Studio’ features—and this is where the magic happened. With a few clicks, I generated:
- An infographic summarizing key biomechanics concepts with visual diagrams
- A 12-question quiz with multiple-choice questions testing my understanding
- 51 flashcards covering anatomical terms, physics formulas, and exercise classifications
- An AI-generated podcast where two hosts discuss the material in an engaging, conversational format
Outputs
The Infographic
The quality of the generated infographic genuinely surprised me. NotebookLM (which leverages Gemini Pro’s capabilities) created a visually coherent overview of how the body moves through different planes of motion, the physics of force, work, and power, and even included a practical comparison of two athletes demonstrating the difference between strength and explosiveness.
The Quiz
The quiz feature generated questions that genuinely test comprehension, not just recall. Here’s an example: calculating total work performed across 8 squat reps with a 150kg barbell. These aren’t trivial questions—they require applying formulas and thinking through real scenarios.
The Flashcards
51 flashcards from a single chapter. The spaced repetition format is ideal for memorizing anatomical terminology—words like ‘proximal’ and ‘distal’ that have specific meanings I need to internalize before the exam.
What I Learned Today
Source grounding eliminates hallucination anxiety. NotebookLM only draws from materials you provide. When I’m studying for a certification exam, I need to know the AI is referencing the same textbook my exam is based on—not pulling from random internet sources that might contradict the official curriculum.
Multi-modal learning is now automated. Previously, if I wanted to study a topic visually (infographic), through testing (quiz), via memorization (flashcards), and through audio (podcast), I’d need Canva, Anki, a quiz app, and probably a podcast app. Now I upload one source and generate all four formats in minutes.
The human role shifts to curation. My value-add isn’t in creating the flashcards or designing the infographic—it’s in selecting the right source material, evaluating whether the generated content accurately represents the concepts, and identifying gaps. I’m the curator and quality controller; the AI handles production.
Free tools won’t stay free forever. The quality of these outputs is remarkable for a free tool. I’m using this aggressively now because I suspect a premium tier is coming. If you’re considering learning a new domain, now is the time to experiment.
The Bigger Picture
This experiment reinforces a theme I keep returning to: AI doesn’t replace human judgment—it amplifies it. Without my decision to pursue CSCS certification, my selection of reputable study materials, and my assessment that the generated content accurately reflects the source, these AI outputs would be meaningless. The human provides the intention, context, and quality control. The AI provides scale and format flexibility.
Try It Yourself
- Go to notebooklm.google.com
- Create a new notebook and upload a PDF, document, audio, YouTube or website URL you want to learn from
- Navigate to the Studio tab and experiment with generating: Quiz, Flashcards, Infographic, and Audio Overview (podcast)
- Use the Chat feature to ask clarifying questions—the AI will only reference your uploaded sources
- Evaluate whether the generated content accurately represents the source material