What Google’s New AI Tools Mean for Teachers, Students, and Your PD Plan

Author

Merissa Sadler-Holder
July 02, 2025

Hi Besties!

This week, Google quietly dropped something big at ISTE and it’s a game-changer, but only if your school uses Google Workspace for Education.

Google’s new Gemini for Education rollout brings powerful AI features into the hands of teachers and students, all built into Google Workspace for Education (Fundamentals, Standard, Plus).

✅ Free (no add-on required)
✅ Secure (FERPA/COPPA/HIPAA compliant)
✅ Available now (rolling out June 30 to July 15)

With over 30 new tools across Google Classroom, Docs, Slides, Forms, and NotebookLM, teachers can now:

  • Instantly generate quizzes, rubrics, and lesson plans

  • Use AI to summarize, rewrite, scaffold, or differentiate content

  • Build custom “Gems” (mini AI agents) aligned to their lessons

  • Leverage NotebookLM for organizing research and content

What Students Get (Yes, Even Under 18)

For the first time, Google is giving students, including those under 18, direct access to AI tools designed specifically for learning:

NotebookLM for Students (created by teachers)

  • Study guides, audio overviews, and soon video overviews

  • Based on teacher materials only

  • Built-in fact-checking and age-appropriate filters

Teacher-Created “Gems”

  • Educators can create smart AI companions for lessons like “quiz me” or “summarize this”

  • Students interact with them directly in Google Classroom

Gemini Canvas and Visual Diagrams

  • Personalized quiz generation (currently 18 and up, coming soon for all ages)

  • Real-time interactive diagrams to support visual learning

Important: These tools are only available to schools using Google Workspace for Education. If your school uses it, you already have access, but it must be enabled by your admin.

Now Let’s Be Real

While all of this is amazing and it truly is, these tools don’t come with built-in teacher understanding.

They show up. They work. But knowing how and when to use them effectively still takes time, exploration, and support.

Just because it appears in your Workspace doesn’t mean your teachers are ready to use it tomorrow.

That’s where I come in.

If your team needs a guide to help navigate these changes, from building AI literacy to designing meaningful, AI-supported lessons, I’d love to support your staff. Whether it’s through PD, coaching, or just answering the question “Where do I even begin?” I’m here.

Want to get started? Just sign up for a quick coffee chat and let’s talk!

We got this!

Need meaningful AI professional development through the Teaching with Machines Learning Journeys for your staff and teachers?

We got this!

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I love reading your feedback, it helps me design effective solutions for others. I respond to all my emails. Just hit reply to this email. Rooting for you and your students! Love, M.

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