HomeAI Features Simplify Back-to-School Season
Back-to-school season is here, and whether you're flipping through syllabi, setting up your classroom, or exploring your kid's new school, it's a mix of excitement and maybe a bit of stress. With three of my four kids heading back to school this week, I thought I'd share some of the latest Google features and AI tools that can help make this school year a success for everyone involved.
For learners
With more ways to ask questions, learn new concepts, and get interactive practice, these AI features offer powerful tools for students (mostly 18 and older) to deepen their understanding and personalize their learning experience.\*
- Chat with Gemini using your school-issued Google account. We've heard from schools that privacy is a big deal when choosing AI tools. With new privacy protections rolling out, Google Workspace for Education users 18 and older can chat with Gemini, knowing their data won't be used to train or improve AI models. Soon, we'll also bring Gemini to teen students' school accounts, ensuring it's safe and responsible for classroom use.
- Study smarter with Gemini. Recent updates include responses from OpenStax textbooks and more interactive practice opportunities. In Gemini Advanced, users 18 and older can upload documents, ask questions about them, and get personalized study guidance from the new Learning coach Gem.
- Enhance your learning with YouTube. Now, when you watch an academic video, you'll see definitions of key concepts right on the watch page. Our new conversational AI tool for users 18 and up lets you ask questions, get explanations, or take quizzes while watching.
- Make materials approachable with NotebookLM. Users 18 and up can turn information into insights using NotebookLM's summarization and chat features. You can now upload image-based PDFs, like handwritten notes or diagrams, along with Docs, Slides, web URLs, and more.
- Learn more about what you see with Google Lens. If you're stuck on a homework problem, snap a photo with Lens in the Google app for step-by-step help. If you're attending a virtual lecture and want to learn more about an equation on the board, Google Lens in Chrome desktop lets you select, search, and ask questions without leaving your tab.
- Understand topics faster with AI Overviews in Search. Launched earlier this year, AI Overviews help you find information more easily. Whether you're studying math, art history, English, or biology, you can ask questions like, "Explain the connection between lightning and thunder" and get a quick summary along with resources to explore further.
For educators
AI can help educators save time, boost their creativity, and enhance productivity, allowing them to focus more on their students.
- Try out over 30 new Google for Education features. We've released new AI-powered tools across Chromebooks and Google Workspace for Education to make learning more personal and engaging. This includes bringing Gemini to Chromebook Plus and piloting it in Google Classroom. With Google Classroom's 10th birthday, we've added features to help with reading, product integrations, and data-driven instruction.
- Demystify AI with the Gen AI for Educators course. This two-hour self-paced course helps teachers save time on everyday tasks, personalize instruction, and enhance lessons with generative AI tools—no prior AI experience needed.
- Personalize Gemini with Gems, custom AI experts for various topics. In a few easy steps, you can create a Gem to help with tasks like crafting lesson plans or differentiated activities for students with accommodations, or even writing emails to parents.
- Foster your students' passion for AI and STEM. Share five tips with your students to responsibly level up their AI skills. Check out the CS First Toolkit for fun and engaging ways to introduce computer science to students in grades 4-8.
- Get tips on using our most popular education tools. Our Back-to-School Guide helps you make the most of Google tools to improve engagement, collaboration, and classroom management. It includes tips on using Google Workspace for Education, Chromebooks, Gemini, and admin settings, along with ways to keep guardians involved.
- Kick off the school year with engaging Digital Skill Lessons. The Applied Digital Skills Back to School Collection helps students get started in the classroom, express themselves, manage their well-being, and stay organized while learning foundational digital skills. Each lesson comes with easy-to-use plans so you can dive right in.
For parents and guardians
These new controls and features help families set digital ground rules and empower young learners to use AI safely.
- Reduce distractions during class with School time. This year, we introduced School time on Fitbit Ace LTE smartwatches. Over the next year, we'll bring School time to more devices, including select Android phones, tablets, and Samsung Galaxy Watches, allowing parents and guardians to limit device functionality during school hours.
- Help your teens navigate Gemini confidently and responsibly. Gemini has additional policies, safeguards, and a teen-specific onboarding process to protect young people from inappropriate responses. You can also explore resources together, like our AI literacy video series, which explains the five must-knows of generative AI and how to use AI responsibly to enhance learning.
Finally, no matter how you're learning, teaching, or supporting students, Chromebooks are great companions for a successful school year. They come in various performance levels and price points, with Google AI built in. The new Chromebook Plus has even more advanced features powered by generative AI. Schools can easily manage Chromebooks with admin tools, and parents and guardians can monitor younger children's activity with Family Link, making Chromebooks simple and helpful to use all year long.
*Note that product and feature availability will evolve over time, may not be available in all markets, and may not be available for users under the age of 18.
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Comments (25)
0/500
![WalterHarris]()
Als Lehrerin finde ich die Idee, KI für Unterrichtsvorbereitung zu nutzen, echt praktisch. Aber irgendwie fühlt es sich auch an, als würde man den Schülern eine Blackbox präsentieren – verstehen sie überhaupt noch, WIE Lösungen zustande kommen? 🤔 Die Zeitersparnis ist verlockend, aber pädagogisch vielleicht ein zweischneidiges Schwert.
![DanielMartin]()
This piece really hits home! As a parent juggling work and school prep, I’ve tried those AI scheduling tools and they’re a game-changer. But honestly, it makes me wonder – are we becoming too reliant on tech for basic parenting tasks? Still, the time saved is priceless. 😅
![FrankSmith]()
아이들 세 명이 이제 학교에 갔네요🫠 진짜 혼란스러운 시즌인 것 같아요. 에구... 이런 기술이 정리하는 데 도움되면 좋겠는데 ㅋㅋ 구글 에이아이 도구들 실제로 체감이 될까요? 혹시 선생님들께서 이거 사용해보셨는지 궁금 🤔
![TimothyHernández]()
Love how AI is making back-to-school easier! Google's features sound like a lifesaver for juggling syllabi and schedules. Anyone tried these yet? 😄
![ScottJackson]()
This AI stuff for back-to-school sounds cool, but I’m wondering if it’ll really save time or just make us lazy. Google’s features seem handy, though—anybody tried them yet? 🤔
![StevenGreen]()
Las funciones de IA de Google para el regreso a la escuela son un salvavidas! Desde organizar los horarios de mis hijos hasta ayudar con las tareas, todo se ha vuelto mucho más fácil. Solo desearía que tuviera más opciones personalizadas. Aún así, es imprescindible para cualquier padre! 🙌
Back-to-school season is here, and whether you're flipping through syllabi, setting up your classroom, or exploring your kid's new school, it's a mix of excitement and maybe a bit of stress. With three of my four kids heading back to school this week, I thought I'd share some of the latest Google features and AI tools that can help make this school year a success for everyone involved.
For learners
- Chat with Gemini using your school-issued Google account. We've heard from schools that privacy is a big deal when choosing AI tools. With new privacy protections rolling out, Google Workspace for Education users 18 and older can chat with Gemini, knowing their data won't be used to train or improve AI models. Soon, we'll also bring Gemini to teen students' school accounts, ensuring it's safe and responsible for classroom use.
- Study smarter with Gemini. Recent updates include responses from OpenStax textbooks and more interactive practice opportunities. In Gemini Advanced, users 18 and older can upload documents, ask questions about them, and get personalized study guidance from the new Learning coach Gem.
- Enhance your learning with YouTube. Now, when you watch an academic video, you'll see definitions of key concepts right on the watch page. Our new conversational AI tool for users 18 and up lets you ask questions, get explanations, or take quizzes while watching.
- Make materials approachable with NotebookLM. Users 18 and up can turn information into insights using NotebookLM's summarization and chat features. You can now upload image-based PDFs, like handwritten notes or diagrams, along with Docs, Slides, web URLs, and more.
- Learn more about what you see with Google Lens. If you're stuck on a homework problem, snap a photo with Lens in the Google app for step-by-step help. If you're attending a virtual lecture and want to learn more about an equation on the board, Google Lens in Chrome desktop lets you select, search, and ask questions without leaving your tab.
- Understand topics faster with AI Overviews in Search. Launched earlier this year, AI Overviews help you find information more easily. Whether you're studying math, art history, English, or biology, you can ask questions like, "Explain the connection between lightning and thunder" and get a quick summary along with resources to explore further.
For educators
- Try out over 30 new Google for Education features. We've released new AI-powered tools across Chromebooks and Google Workspace for Education to make learning more personal and engaging. This includes bringing Gemini to Chromebook Plus and piloting it in Google Classroom. With Google Classroom's 10th birthday, we've added features to help with reading, product integrations, and data-driven instruction.
- Demystify AI with the Gen AI for Educators course. This two-hour self-paced course helps teachers save time on everyday tasks, personalize instruction, and enhance lessons with generative AI tools—no prior AI experience needed.
- Personalize Gemini with Gems, custom AI experts for various topics. In a few easy steps, you can create a Gem to help with tasks like crafting lesson plans or differentiated activities for students with accommodations, or even writing emails to parents.
- Foster your students' passion for AI and STEM. Share five tips with your students to responsibly level up their AI skills. Check out the CS First Toolkit for fun and engaging ways to introduce computer science to students in grades 4-8.
- Get tips on using our most popular education tools. Our Back-to-School Guide helps you make the most of Google tools to improve engagement, collaboration, and classroom management. It includes tips on using Google Workspace for Education, Chromebooks, Gemini, and admin settings, along with ways to keep guardians involved.
- Kick off the school year with engaging Digital Skill Lessons. The Applied Digital Skills Back to School Collection helps students get started in the classroom, express themselves, manage their well-being, and stay organized while learning foundational digital skills. Each lesson comes with easy-to-use plans so you can dive right in.
For parents and guardians
- Reduce distractions during class with School time. This year, we introduced School time on Fitbit Ace LTE smartwatches. Over the next year, we'll bring School time to more devices, including select Android phones, tablets, and Samsung Galaxy Watches, allowing parents and guardians to limit device functionality during school hours.
- Help your teens navigate Gemini confidently and responsibly. Gemini has additional policies, safeguards, and a teen-specific onboarding process to protect young people from inappropriate responses. You can also explore resources together, like our AI literacy video series, which explains the five must-knows of generative AI and how to use AI responsibly to enhance learning.
Finally, no matter how you're learning, teaching, or supporting students, Chromebooks are great companions for a successful school year. They come in various performance levels and price points, with Google AI built in. The new Chromebook Plus has even more advanced features powered by generative AI. Schools can easily manage Chromebooks with admin tools, and parents and guardians can monitor younger children's activity with Family Link, making Chromebooks simple and helpful to use all year long.
*Note that product and feature availability will evolve over time, may not be available in all markets, and may not be available for users under the age of 18.
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Discover the 2026 best AI data science mentors to master SQL, Pandas & ML workflows. Explore our top-rated, curated selection at XIX.AI for powerful, game-changing guidance. Compare free vs paid options with real-world insights. Unlock your data science mastery today.
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Discover the 2026 best AI flirting and conversation trainers on XIX.AI. Our curated, top-rated selection helps you build social charisma and confidence in real-time. Explore must-try, game-changing tools with free vs paid comparisons and weekly updated rankings. Unlock your social edge today.
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Als Lehrerin finde ich die Idee, KI für Unterrichtsvorbereitung zu nutzen, echt praktisch. Aber irgendwie fühlt es sich auch an, als würde man den Schülern eine Blackbox präsentieren – verstehen sie überhaupt noch, WIE Lösungen zustande kommen? 🤔 Die Zeitersparnis ist verlockend, aber pädagogisch vielleicht ein zweischneidiges Schwert.
This piece really hits home! As a parent juggling work and school prep, I’ve tried those AI scheduling tools and they’re a game-changer. But honestly, it makes me wonder – are we becoming too reliant on tech for basic parenting tasks? Still, the time saved is priceless. 😅
아이들 세 명이 이제 학교에 갔네요🫠 진짜 혼란스러운 시즌인 것 같아요. 에구... 이런 기술이 정리하는 데 도움되면 좋겠는데 ㅋㅋ 구글 에이아이 도구들 실제로 체감이 될까요? 혹시 선생님들께서 이거 사용해보셨는지 궁금 🤔
Love how AI is making back-to-school easier! Google's features sound like a lifesaver for juggling syllabi and schedules. Anyone tried these yet? 😄
This AI stuff for back-to-school sounds cool, but I’m wondering if it’ll really save time or just make us lazy. Google’s features seem handy, though—anybody tried them yet? 🤔
Las funciones de IA de Google para el regreso a la escuela son un salvavidas! Desde organizar los horarios de mis hijos hasta ayudar con las tareas, todo se ha vuelto mucho más fácil. Solo desearía que tuviera más opciones personalizadas. Aún así, es imprescindible para cualquier padre! 🙌
