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π± Two controversial reports on tech in the classroom (Nov. EDU Update)
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π BLACK FRIDAY Sale: 50% off my Wednesday Webinar Subscription! π Happy Thanksgiving, Reader! It's been a while since my last EDU Update, primarily because I was busy organizing the 13th annual miGoogle conference for 400+ Michigan educators. The event went well and now I am back in the office tracking the latest Google and edTech updates. This month we have quite a few AI updates and two controversial research reports on the impact of technology in education that are sure to spark some strong opinions! Let's dive in! π§ Listen to this episode | π¦ Watch this episodeβ βConvert rubrics for Google Classroom - You can now easily convert your existing rubric to work with Google Classroom. Just look for the βconvert from fileβ option on a Google Classroom assignment. βImproved math formatting from Gemini - Gemini has improved support for LaTeX, a special language for writing out complex mathematical equations. The end result is better formatted mathematical formulas that can be exported as PDF or Google Doc. βCreate presentations with Gemini - You can now use Canvas in Gemini to design presentations! Just ask: "Create a presentation on..." βCustomize YouTube - Unhook is a free Chrome extension that lets you hide elements of YouTube like shorts, related videos, comments, etc to focus your YouTube experience and hide potentially problematic content from students. βDeep research improvements - Deep research in Gemini can now include emails, documents, and chat conversations as part of its research. This means you can get more personalized results on internal projects and tasks. βVibe coding with Google AI Studio - If youβve used Gemini to create simple classroom applications, you might enjoy this video on using Google AI Studio to take things to the next level! βGemini can save teachers 10 hours/week - A Gemini pilot program in Ireland is showing promising results to reduce teacher workload. βFlashcards and Quizzes in NotebookLM - Google has made significant improvements to study aids created through NotebookLM. The mobile app has also been improved making it easier for students to learn while on the go. βDoes AI help students learn? - this long and technical report evaluates the performance of 165 UK learners who were given access to AI tools to enhance learning. The results indicate that students with access to AI tutoring tools achieved a 5.5% increase in knowledge transfer, under the direction of a human instructor. βAre Chromebooks ruining education? - This recent opinion piece from the NY Times suggests that school-provided devices are having a negative impact on student performance. Those last two links are sure to spark some conversation! Let me know what YOU think! Leave me a comment on YouTube or Facebook! That wraps up the updates for November 2025. I'm grateful for YOU and hope you have a wonderful holiday season! John R. Sowash π¨ Did someone forward this email to you? Click here to add your name to my monthly email list!
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βThe Google EDU Update
Tired of missing out on the coolest Google updates and new features? Join thousands of other teachers who rely on my monthly newsletter to stay ahead of the curve. Get the top 10 updates, teaching inspiration, and time-saving links delivered straight to your inbox.
β¨ I'm going on tour this summer! Join me for the Gemini Academy! β¨ Hi Reader! Earlier this month I was able to attend the KAST conference in Kentucky and the MACUL conference in Michigan. It was great to get out of the office and see many of you in person! I'm on spring break this week which means heading up to our campground in northern Michigan to get ready for the summer camping season! Before I left, I put together a list of updates, links and lesson ideas to summarize the month of March!...
β¨ Host the Gemini Academy for Teachers at your school this summer β¨ Hi Reader! I know youβve been busy in the classroom, so Iβve been scouring the web for the latest updates, new tools, and tech tips for YOU Reader! Here are my top 10 updates for February 2026! π‘ Don't feel like reading? Watch on YouTube or Listen to the Podcast! π‘ 1. Record audio and video in Google Classroom - the new βAVSβ (audio, video, screencapture) button is now LIVE in Google Classroom for EDU Plus domains. This new...
β¨ Master Google Gemini! Join me for the Google Certification Academy! β¨ Hi Reader! Welcome to 2026! Google kicked off the new year with a flurry of updates to their certification exams and programs. There will be some more exciting updates later this month! π€« 2026 is a GREAT year to become a Google Certified Educator! Here are some important updates you should know. π¦ Don't feel like reading? Here's my YouTube summary of these updates! If you are using tools like Gemini, Drive, and Google...