Google’s AI Education Platform

Since the global shift to remote learning in 2020 as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, the global education technology sector has fundamentally changed as major technology companies have intensified their focus on classroom solutions, particularly in areas of AI integration and device management.

For instance, Microsoft’s recent expansion of its Teams for Education platform and Apple’s classroom management updates have heightened competition in the education technology market.

This evolution is still happening as schools face mounting pressure to incorporate AI tools safely into their curricula while maintaining control over classroom technology use.

Now, Google, which maintains a significant share of the US education device market through its Chromebook programme, has responded with an update to its education technology platform.

The announcement includes AI features, enhanced management tools and new hardware offerings, marking the company’s most significant education sector update since 2021.

The role of Gemini in Google’s education strategy

Part of Google’s AI enhancements is integrating Gemini, its LLM across its education suite.

Shantanu Sinha, Vice President of Google for Education, says in a blogpost: “Educators can access Gemini in Vids to create polished videos with the help of AI, generate vocabulary lists directly in Google Classroom and save more time on repetitive tasks with Gems in Gemini Advanced.

“We’re integrating Gemini capabilities like the Gemini app and NotebookLM into existing learning management systems, making it easier than ever for educators and students to teach and learn with AI.”

Google Vids is a video creation application that enables collaboration between educators and students – and this tool represents Google’s entry into the educational video creation market, competing with established platforms such as Screencastify and Loom.

This integration also includes NotebookLM, a tool that processes uploaded documents to create teaching materials such as lesson plans and study guides.

How Google’s Class Tools and Workspace for Education targets educational needs

Google has additionally developed Class Tools, a new suite of features for its Chromebook laptops when used with Google Workspace for Education Plus, the company’s premium education offering.

Thomas Kurian, Chief Executive Officer of Google Cloud says in a blogpost: “We’re also seeing major boosts in productivity through Gemini for Google Workspace, with customers saving an average of 105 minutes per user, per week, according to our recent study of enterprise customers.”

Monitoring
The system enables teachers to monitor student screens remotely and share content across multiple devices simultaneously.

Translation
The platform includes live translation capabilities for captions, addressing the needs of students who require language support.

Multiple assignments
The company has also enhanced its Google Classroom software with new grouping features for differentiated assignments.

Safe guarding
This platform includes content filters designed to prevent inappropriate responses to younger users, along with a feature that cross-references information with Google Search to verify accuracy.

Reading
Google’s Workspace for Education has also received additional enhancements, including an upgraded Read Along feature in Classroom that provides expanded resources and analytics for educators.

Presentation slides
The platform now includes new add-ons for Google Classroom and a library of pre-designed Google Slides templates to reduce preparation time.

Security and device management receive platform-wide update

Along with Google’s new content filters designed to prevent inappropriate responses to younger users, it has implemented new controls for IT administrators to manage third-party applications, digital signatures and Google Forms, its survey and quiz creation tool.

These features aim to address growing concerns about online safety in educational environments.

Google has also introduced policies in its Admin console, a web-based management interface, to regulate student device usage outside school hours and facilitate data transfer when students graduate.

Hardware updates expand chromebook ecosystem

The company has expanded its hardware offering with new Chromebook models and the Chromebox OPS, a device that converts interactive flat panel displays into ChromeOS devices, which is Google’s operating system that runs primarily through web-based applications.

Meanwhile, the Chromebook Plus, a premium version of Google’s laptop line, includes AI-powered features such as Help me write and Help me read, accessible through dedicated keyboard shortcuts.

How accessibility features enhance platform inclusivity

Google has additionally announced accessibility features for Chromebooks, including Face control, which enables device control through facial movements and Reading mode, which removes visual distractions from web content and a focus mode, designed to block distractions and integrated creation tools such as the Recorder application.

The platform also now includes new handwriting fonts designed for younger learners, addressing the needs of early education markets, which complement the existing suite of accessibility tools available across Google’s education products.