🍌 NanoBanana - The Hidden Gem

Session 4, Topic 2 | Free Power Tools - Interactive Projects

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⏱️ 30 minutes

Instant AI Access, Zero Barriers

NanoBanana is a free, no-login AI playground with instant access to powerful models and beautiful code formatting. Perfect for quick prototypes, rapid iterations, and educational tool development!

🎯 Learning Objectives

  • Understand what makes NanoBanana unique
  • Access multiple AI models without creating an account
  • Use markdown and code highlighting features
  • Generate and export HTML/CSS/JavaScript projects
  • Combine NanoBanana with LMArena for optimal workflow
  • Apply NanoBanana to educator-specific tasks

🍌 What is NanoBanana?

nano-banana.com

NanoBanana is a minimalist AI chat interface that removes all barriers between you and AI-powered code generation. No sign-ups, no credit cards, no limits - just pure, instant AI access!

  • No account needed - literally just open and start typing
  • Access to multiple AI models (GPT-4, Claude, Gemini, and more)
  • Automatic code highlighting and formatting
  • Markdown rendering for beautiful documentation
  • Save conversations as text files
  • Mobile-friendly interface
  • Lightning-fast response times
  • Perfect for quick prototypes and testing
✨ Special Feature: NanoBanana automatically detects code in responses and formats it with syntax highlighting - making it incredibly easy to copy and use immediately!

🆚 NanoBanana vs Other Tools

Feature NanoBanana ChatGPT Claude.ai LMArena
Account Required ❌ No ✅ Yes ✅ Yes ❌ No
Cost Free Forever Free/Paid ($20) Free/Paid ($20) Free Forever
Code Highlighting ✅ Automatic ✅ Yes ✅ Yes ⚠️ Basic
Multiple Models ✅ Yes ❌ GPT only ❌ Claude only ✅ Yes (50+)
Model Comparison ❌ No ❌ No ❌ No ✅ Side-by-side
Speed ⚡ Very Fast ⚡ Fast ⚡ Fast ⚠️ Slower (2 models)
Export ✅ Text files ⚠️ Manual copy ⚠️ Manual copy ⚠️ Manual copy
History ⚠️ Session only ✅ Saved ✅ Saved ❌ None

💡 The Perfect Workflow

Use LMArena for initial comparison → Find the best output from competing models

↓

Use NanoBanana for rapid iterations → Quickly refine and enhance the winning code

↓

Use Claude.ai for final polish → Add complex features with your free account

🚀 Getting Started with NanoBanana

Access NanoBanana

  1. Open your browser
  2. Go to nano-banana.com (or search "nanobanana AI")
  3. That's it! No sign-up screen, no waiting - you're ready to go
  4. Bookmark for quick access
💡 Pro Tip: The URL is sometimes written as "nano-banana.com" or "nanobanana.com" - both work!

Choose Your AI Model

  1. Look at the top of the page for the model dropdown
  2. Click to see available models:
    • GPT-4 - Best for complex reasoning and code
    • Claude 3 - Excellent for writing and explanations
    • Gemini - Great for multimodal tasks
    • Others - Various open-source models
  3. Select your preferred model (GPT-4 is a great default)
  4. You can change models at any time!

Submit Your First Prompt

  1. Type your prompt in the text box at the bottom
  2. Press Enter or click the send button
  3. Watch the response appear with automatic formatting
  4. Code blocks are syntax-highlighted automatically!

Try This First Prompt:

Create a simple HTML timer that counts down from 10 seconds. Include a start button, and when the timer reaches zero, display "Time's up!" in red text. Use inline CSS for styling.

Copy and Use the Generated Code

  1. Hover over any code block to see a "Copy" button
  2. Click to copy the entire code block instantly
  3. Open a text editor (Notepad, VSCodium, etc.)
  4. Paste and save as .html file
  5. Double-click to test in your browser!

Iterate and Refine

  1. Continue the conversation with follow-up requests
  2. Example: "Make the text larger" or "Add a reset button"
  3. Each response builds on the previous one
  4. Keep iterating until perfect!
Speed Advantage: NanoBanana's single-model responses are faster than LMArena's dual responses - perfect for rapid iteration!

Export Your Conversation (Optional)

  1. Look for the "Export" or "Download" option
  2. Save the conversation as a text file
  3. Reference it later for similar projects
  4. Build a personal library of AI-generated code!

🎓 Educator Use Cases for NanoBanana

⏱️

Quick Classroom Tools

Generate timers, random name pickers, dice rollers in seconds

Create a random student name picker from this list: [paste names]. Add a big "Pick Random" button and display the selected name in large, colorful text.
📊

Interactive Visualizations

Charts, graphs, and educational diagrams

Create an interactive bar chart showing water cycle stages (Evaporation, Condensation, Precipitation, Collection). Users can click each stage to see a description.
🎮

Learning Games

Quick educational games and quizzes

Create a state capitals matching game. Show 5 random states with 5 shuffled capitals. User drags to match. Show score and "Play Again" button.
📝

Form Templates

Parent permission forms, attendance trackers

Create a printable permission slip for a field trip to the science museum. Include: student name, date, parent signature, emergency contact fields. Make it look professional.
🔄

Content Converters

Transform content between formats

Convert this paragraph into a simple flowchart using HTML/CSS: "Photosynthesis: Plants absorb sunlight, take in CO2, use water, produce glucose and oxygen."
🎨

Visual Aids

Flashcards, posters, study guides

Create printable flashcards for multiplication tables (1-12). Front shows problem, back shows answer. Use large text and kid-friendly colors. 4 cards per page.

⚡ NanoBanana Power Techniques

Technique 1: Chain Multiple Requests

Request 1:

Create a simple HTML quiz with 5 multiple choice questions about the solar system.
↓

Request 2:

Add a score counter and "Show Results" button.
↓

Request 3:

Make it mobile-friendly with larger buttons and responsive design.
↓

Request 4:

Add fun animations when answers are clicked.

Technique 2: Model Switching for Optimization

Scenario: You need a complex JavaScript function AND a creative writing prompt.

  1. Use GPT-4: Generate the JavaScript function (best for code logic)
  2. Switch to Claude 3: Write the creative prompt (best for writing)
  3. Get the best of both models in one session!

Technique 3: Paste and Enhance

Workflow: Bring code from LMArena to NanoBanana for improvements

Here's the HTML code I got from another AI: [PASTE CODE] Please enhance it by: 1. Adding better color scheme 2. Improving button styles 3. Adding smooth transitions 4. Making it more accessible

Why this works: NanoBanana's speed means you can iterate 5-10 times faster than starting from scratch!

🔍 Secret NanoBanana Features

  • Markdown Support: Responses automatically render headers, lists, links, and formatting beautifully
  • Code Language Detection: Automatically detects HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Python, etc. and applies correct syntax highlighting
  • Session Persistence: Your conversation stays active in the browser tab until you close it - refresh won't lose your work
  • Mobile Optimization: Works perfectly on tablets and phones - great for on-the-go development
  • Keyboard Shortcuts: Press Shift + Enter for line breaks within prompts
  • Copy Shortcut: Hover and click any code block for instant clipboard copy
    • ⚠️ Limitations to Know:
    • No History: Close the tab = lose the conversation (export important ones!)
    • No File Uploads: Can't upload images or documents (text prompts only)
    • Rate Limits: Very high usage might trigger temporary cooldown (rare)
    • No User Accounts: Can't save favorites or custom settings

    🧪 Hands-On Practice Exercise

    Challenge 1: Build a Classroom Timer

    Task: Go to nano-banana.com and create a classroom timer

    Create an HTML classroom timer with these features: - Preset buttons for 1, 3, 5, 10 minutes - Large, easy-to-read countdown display - Start, Pause, Reset buttons - Changes color to yellow at 1 minute remaining - Changes to red at 30 seconds - Plays alert sound when time is up - Background changes to green when running

    Goal: Generate working timer in under 3 minutes, test it in your browser

    Challenge 2: Iterate and Improve

    Task: Continue the conversation to enhance your timer

    Try these follow-up prompts:

    • "Add a fullscreen button"
    • "Include a custom time input field"
    • "Add keyboard shortcuts (space to start/pause, R to reset)"
    • "Make the font size responsive to window size"

    Goal: Experience the speed of iteration on NanoBanana

    Challenge 3: Switch Models and Compare

    Task: Generate the same tool with different models

    1. Note your current model (probably GPT-4)
    2. Open a new browser tab with nano-banana.com
    3. Select a different model (e.g., Claude 3)
    4. Use the EXACT same prompt from Challenge 1
    5. Compare the outputs - which is better?

    Goal: Develop intuition for which models excel at different tasks

    Challenge 4: Export and Archive

    Task: Save your work for future reference

    1. Look for export/download option on NanoBanana
    2. Save the conversation as a text file
    3. Copy your final timer code to a separate .html file
    4. Create a "NanoBanana Projects" folder to organize your work

    Goal: Build a personal library of AI-generated educator tools

    🎯 Pro Workflow: LMArena + NanoBanana Combo

    The Ultimate Free AI Workflow

    Phase 1: Initial Generation (LMArena)

    • Use LMArena battle mode for initial code generation
    • Get 2 different approaches from competing models
    • Vote for the winner
    • Copy the better code
    • Time: 2-3 minutes

    Phase 2: Rapid Iteration (NanoBanana)

    • Open NanoBanana
    • Paste the winning code from LMArena
    • Request 5-10 quick improvements
    • Iterate rapidly without waiting for dual responses
    • Time: 5-10 minutes

    Phase 3: Final Polish (Claude.ai)

    • Use your free Claude.ai account for complex enhancements
    • Add accessibility features, advanced animations, etc.
    • Benefit from Claude's longer context window
    • Time: 5-10 minutes

    Total Time: 15-25 minutes for professional-quality tools!

    ✅ Topic Completion Checklist

    🚀 What's Next?

    Now that you've mastered both LMArena and NanoBanana, it's time to put these tools to work! In the next topic, you'll build a complete Interactive Human Body Systems Viewer - a professional-quality educational tool worth thousands of dollars - using the free AI workflow you just learned!

    Next Topic: Build Interactive Human Body Project →