Make Back-to-School Easier with Google’s AI-Powered Learning Tools

As the new school year kicks off, the excitement—and sometimes stress—of getting back to routine begins. Thankfully, Google has introduced new AI tools and features that can make learning, teaching, and supporting students easier. Here’s a look at how these AI-driven solutions can make this school year a success for learners, educators, and parents.

For Learners: Personalized Learning with AI

Google’s AI tools offer students new ways to deepen their understanding of academic concepts and make learning more interactive and personalized. Here’s how:

• Chat with Gemini on School Accounts: Students 18 and older using school-issued Google accounts can now interact with Google’s Gemini AI, with strong privacy protections in place. Soon, Gemini will also be available for younger students in a classroom setting, ensuring it’s safe for educational use.

• Study Smarter with Gemini: New features like responses from OpenStax textbooks and interactive practice help students study more effectively. In Gemini Advanced, students can upload documents and ask questions about them, and the new “Learning coach Gem” provides tailored study guidance.

• Enhance Learning with YouTube AI: Academic videos on YouTube now come with definitions of key concepts. A conversational AI tool lets users ask questions, get explanations, or take quizzes during the video.

• Use NotebookLM for Study Assistance: AI-powered NotebookLM helps students summarize and interact with study materials. The tool now supports image-based PDFs and other documents, offering AI insights to aid learning.

• Solve Homework with Google Lens: Students can take a photo of a homework problem using Google Lens to get step-by-step guidance. Lens also works on Chrome desktop, allowing students to select content from virtual lectures and learn more in real-time all in one tab.

• Get Quick Overviews in Search: Google’s AI Overviews, available in Search, offer simplified explanations of academic topics like math and science, helping students understand key concepts faster with resources to dive deeper.

For Educators: AI to Save Time and Boost Creativity

AI is transforming the classroom by helping educators streamline their work and focus on what matters most—teaching. Here’s what’s available for teachers:

• Explore 30+ New AI-Powered Features: Google’s education tools, including Chromebooks and Google Workspace for Education, offer new AI features to make learning more personal and engaging. Gemini is also being integrated into these tools, providing teachers with powerful AI support.

• Take the Gen AI for Educators Course: This 2-hour self-paced course teaches educators how to use generative AI tools to save time, personalize instruction, and enhance lesson plans with no previous AI experience required.

• Create Custom AI Experts with Gems: Teachers can create custom Gems—AI assistants that help with tasks like crafting lesson plans or managing student activities. Gems can also assist with repetitive prompts, saving time in the classroom.

• Foster Students’ AI Skills: Share tips with students on responsibly using AI and check out Google’s CS First Toolkit to engage younger students in grades 4-8 in computer science.

• Use Google’s Back-to-School Guide: The Back-to-School guide offers tips on using Google’s most popular tools for education, including Google Workspace, Chromebooks, and Gemini, to improve classroom engagement and keep parents involved.

• Kick Off with Digital Skills Lessons: The Applied Digital Skills Back-to-School Collection offers easy-to-use lessons for students to develop foundational digital skills while managing their well-being and expressing themselves.

For Parents: Managing AI Use at Home

Google’s new tools also offer parents control over their children’s digital habits, ensuring they use AI responsibly.

• Limit Distractions with School Time: Google’s School Time feature, available on select devices like Android phones and Samsung Galaxy Watches, allows parents to limit device usage during school hours, helping students stay focused.

• Guide Teens in Using Gemini Safely: Gemini offers teen-specific onboarding and safeguards to ensure safe AI use. Parents can explore Google’s AI literacy resources with their teens to help them responsibly incorporate AI into their learning.

• Monitor Activity with Family Link on Chromebooks: Chromebooks, especially the new Chromebook Plus, are built with AI features to support learning throughout the year. Parents can monitor younger children’s activities using Family Link, making Chromebooks a great choice for school.

Note: Product availability and features may vary by region and are primarily available for users 18 and older.

Preparing for Success in an AI-Powered Future

As AI continues to shape the future of education, tools like Google’s AI-powered features are becoming essential for learners, educators, and parents alike. By making learning more personalized, enhancing creativity in the classroom, and providing families with the tools to safely navigate the digital world, these innovations ensure that students are well-prepared to succeed in an increasingly AI-driven world. Embracing these technologies now will not only make back-to-school season easier but will also equip everyone with the skills needed for tomorrow’s challenges.