Expanded access to Google Vids and no-cost AI tools in Classroom
As AI evolves, we’re focused on finding ways to translate what it can do into powerful, practical tools for educators. Today, we’re sharing several updates and new tools designed for the classroom — as well as new controls for administrators.
New ways to spark creativity and personalize learning
Unlock creativity with Google Vids
- To help bring stories and lessons to life, we’re expanding basic access to Google Vids, making it available to all Google Workspace for Education users . With just a few clicks, educators can create instructional videos that make difficult concepts more digestible. Students can also get creative with Vids and produce their own video book reports and assignments. Vids is integrated with the tools you use every day — like Drive and Classroom — so it’s readily accessible.
Google Vids: easy video creation for teachers and students
Try Gemini in Classroom: No-cost AI tools that amplify teaching and learning
Starting today, we’re rolling out more than 30 AI tools for all educators, all in a central destination in Google Classroom. Educators can generate content and resources with Gemini in Classroom, helping them kickstart lessons, brainstorm ideas and create differentiated learning materials.
And in the coming months, we’ll launch teacher-enabled, interactive AI experiences for students that are informed by Classroom materials, including:
- Teacher-led NotebookLM in Classroom: Educators can select resources from their class and create an interactive study guide and podcast-style Audio Overviews for students, grounded in the materials educators upload.
- Teacher-led Gems in Classroom: Educators can create Gems, which are custom versions of Gemini, for students to interact with. After uploading resources to inform the Gem, educators can quickly create AI experts to help students who need extra support or want to go deeper in their learning. For example, educators in early pilots have created Gems, informed by their Classroom materials and information on the web, to help assist students when they need help with their homework.
Learn more about our new AI features coming to Google Classroom in this blog post.
After providing the target grade and topic, educators can get a first draft of a lesson plan and further refine it with the help of Gemini. They’ll also get suggestions for relevant videos and can generate a quiz or hook based on the lesson plan.
Here, an educator is creating a study guide students can chat with, including a podcast-style Audio Overview with NotebookLM, to help students prepare for a test. Educators can highlight the NotebookLM resource at the top of the Classwork page so they’re always available for extra practice, support and learning opportunities.
To accompany a reading assignment introducing new biology concepts, the educator included a “Quiz me” Gem to support student comprehension and understanding.
Enhanced administrative controls
We’re bringing Gemini to younger users, with granular controls available to admins and educators to ensure schools are always in control.
- Admin console settings and reports: Admins can easily manage who has access to the Gemini app and NotebookLM in the Admin console, search Gemini app conversations in their domain using Vault, and view comprehensive usage reporting within their domain.
- Data protection: The Gemini app is now available to students of all ages and as a core Workspace service, meaning Admins can provide AI tools to their communities with the confidence that their data is private, safe and secure. The Gemini app was also recently awarded the Common Sense Media Privacy Seal, meaning admins can be confident their users’ data is protected when using Gemini.
In the coming months we will roll out Google Meet waiting room for more flexibility and control over virtual meetings. Available with Education Plus and the Teaching and Learning add-on, hosts will be able to move participants into a waiting room at any point during a call, and can also require all attendees to enter the waiting room before joining, so only the right people are in the meeting at the right time.
Google Meet waiting room
Earlier this month we made data classification labels for Gmail— which offer a more comprehensive and integrated system for protecting sensitive information — generally available. Admins can use new or existing Drive labels to classify emails by criteria, like department or sensitivity. This allows for targeted data protection rules, such as blocking internal emails from being sent to external recipients or automatically applying labels to messages containing sensitive financial data. By instantly applying these rules, Gmail alerts users before they share sensitive information, helping minimize data breaches and improve security.
Users can apply classification labels to a message, according to the organization’s data governance policies
To continue delivering powerful new features and reflect the value of recent advancements, we are adjusting pricing and licensing for certain Google Workspace for Education editions and add-ons. Find more information by visiting this Help Center article.
