Gemini + Google Classroom: What This Update Means for Our Classrooms
Most schools across our region rely on Google Classroom and Google tools, so the updates Google announced today at BETT 2026 are likely to touch a significant number of our classrooms. At a high level, Google is weaving Gemini (their AI assistant) more thoughtfully into Classroom, assignments, feedback, and student learning tools. The goal is to provide practical support, improve accessibility, and offer better insight into learning — while also navigating important ethical considerations around student AI use.
Before diving in, one important assumption:
👉 For our youngest learners (especially K–2), this is not about giving students direct access to AI tools or independent use of Google Classroom.
Instead, these updates are best viewed as teacher-facing supports that may — or may not — fit existing classroom practices. With that, here are some highlights of the new tools and functionality we'll be seeing:
K–5 (Especially K–2): AI as a Teacher Tool
Even without student AI access, I can imagine some of these updates could be useful behind the scenes.
Teacher-created audio lessons for read-alouds, directions, or language support
Audio or video student responses to show understanding without relying on writing
AI support for lesson planning and differentiation
Adult-facing engagement insights to help spot patterns early
Teacher-controlled Chromebook tools for modeling and guided instruction
Middle & High School: Supported Student Use
For older students, some updates may be more directly applicable.
Free SAT practice in Gemini with immediate feedback
Classroom-aware AI for teachers to help with planning and organization
Standards-aligned assignments (pilot)
Research and writing support grounded in students’ own notes and sources
More flexible feedback options (audio, video, rubrics)
A Few Questions Worth Sitting With
Rather than asking “How fast can we adopt this?” it may be more useful to ask:
Which of these tools might actually save you time?
Which feel developmentally appropriate for your students?
Where would guardrails be essential?
Are there places where these tools don’t add value?
For many, the most helpful updates may be the quiet ones — planning support, accessibility features, or feedback tools that fit into existing workflows.
As tools like these continue to evolve within platforms many of us already use (like those from Google), the real question isn’t whether they exist — it’s whether, where, and how they’re useful in your classroom.
We’d love to hear what you think! Full announcement here: https://blog.google/products-and-platforms/products/education/bett-2026-gemini-classroom-updates/