6 ways we supported learning and education in 2024

2024 saw educators all over the world continue to bring their passion, dedication and creativity to classrooms. At the same time, education institutions focused on solutions for learning gaps, educator wellbeing and retention, and the integration of AI.

To help, Google for Education rolled out more than 65 updates across our products in 2024, based on feedback from millions of educators and students. From taking a learning-first approach to AI built around pedagogical principles, to providing top-requested features for teaching and learning, here are six key ways we supported education organizations with new technology solutions in 2024.

1. Generative AI trainings for leaders, educators and students

To help educators make the most of generative AI confidently, safely and responsibly, we announced programs like Generative AI for Educators and Gemini Academy. For students, we partnered with expert groups — including Connect Safely, the Family Online Safety Institute and the Raspberry Pi Foundation — to design AI literacy content and in-school programs, like Experience AI, that help educators teach students how to use AI responsibly. Find all our generative AI resources and trainings in one place on Education Navigator.

2. AI-powered assistance for every educator and student

Educators and students around the world are now using the Gemini app free of charge to brainstorm ideas, summarize documents, learn confidently with in-the-moment assistance and prepare for an AI-driven future. Taking a responsible approach with new technologies like generative AI, we built a unique Gemini experience for teens, which institutions like Miami-Dade County Public Schools have enabled for 100,000 of their students.

Common Sense Media noted that Gemini is “the only major platform to create a specific experience for teens, includes additional CSAM (child sexual abuse material) safeguards, content policies and in-product experiences that help teens understand the limitations of generative AI.”

Plus, Gemini for Google Workspace provides access to chat with Gemini Advanced using our most capable models. Gemini is also integrated across popular apps like Docs, Gmail and Classroom to help summarize, analyze and generate content.

We introduced Chromebook Plus, a new set of laptops with twice the performance, displays, memory and storage along with options for touchscreen convertibles and styluses. Built-in Gemini powered AI capabilities for users over 18 help educators and staff maximize their productivity and enhance their creativity.

And in the coming weeks, Gemini LTI will bring the power of Gemini to learning management systems (LMS) — starting with Canvas by Instructure and PowerSchool Schoology Learning — providing AI-driven tools for educators and students that are accessible within their LMS environment.

3. Learning science in action

Since the beginning, Google for Education has worked with experts and researchers as we create our products. For example, this year we announced LearnLM, our family of models fine-tuned for learning and grounded in educational research. LearnLM powers generative AI experiences like Gemini in Classroom, helping educators support learners with things like adapted texts and engaging lesson hooks that spark curiosity and critical thinking.

In August, we celebrated 10 years of Google Classroom, launching more than 800 updates over the last decade — and personal learning tools were at the forefront, like Read Along in Classroom.

4. Multimedia tools for teaching and learning

As we developed new tools to help engage students, we listened to educators — and found that video was a clear winner. Google Vids is a new collaborative video creation app in Google Workspace that makes it easy for students and educators to create engaging videos, from instructional content to group projects.

Plus, built-in Chromebook features like Screencast (with new editing tools this year) and the Recorder app provide more ways to create supplemental learning content, recordings and ways to get creative. And millions of users both inside and outside of education used NotebookLM to ask questions and create audio overviews from their documents.

5. More device options and admin controls

Chromebooks are the #1 device in K-12 education globally while providing 229% return on investment for schools. We’ve rolled out several AI-powered admin tools to control and secure devices at scale, and introduced the centralized Device Hub for even easier device management.

We also announced more than 15 Chromebook devices to meet institutions’ needs. Institutions in Asia and Latin America can now get powerful and affordable Chromebooks with Chrome Education Upgrade included, to provide easier and secure device management. Expanded accessibility tools are now built-in to Chromebooks free of charge, like voice dictation, natural-sounding text to speech and read aloud in Reading mode.

6. Tools that work better together

Now, Chromebooks help educators and students stay organized right from their desktop, with integrations for Google Classroom, Google Tasks and Google Calendar. We developed Workspace LTI (Learning Tools Interoperability), bringing Google tools like Meet, Drive and Assignments right into top learning management systems. And to top it off, we made it even easier to set up classes and manage grades and other class settings in Classroom with integrations with OneRoster-supported student information systems, adding PowerSchool SIS to the list.

For easier third-party tool management, we expanded our App Hub library to 10 more languages, plus added new app licensing partners and Classroom add-ons.

Looking ahead to 2025

Want to dive deeper into all of Google for Education’s new product and feature releases this past year? Learn more in our 2024 Year in Review guide. To give you a sneak peek of what we’re working on in 2025, check out my video at the top of this blog.

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