New features of Google Classroom

New Features of Google Classroom

Google Classroom continues to evolve, introducing new features to enhance teaching and learning experiences. As of early 2025, recent updates focus on improving classroom management, accessibility, and integration with AI and other tools. Here’s an overview of some of the latest additions based on recent developments.

Class Tools for Classroom Management

A standout feature rolling out in 2025 is "Class Tools," designed for schools using Chromebooks with Google Workspace for Education Plus. This acts like a remote control for teachers, allowing them to share lesson content directly to student screens, monitor progress in real-time, and display exemplary work to the class. It also includes live translated captions to support diverse learners, ensuring students stay engaged and on task.

Student Grouping for Differentiated Learning

Teachers can now create student groups within Google Classroom to assign tailored assignments based on individual needs. This feature simplifies differentiation, making it easier to provide personalized content or support to specific learners, such as advanced students or those needing extra help.

AI-Powered Enhancements

Google has integrated Gemini, its AI model, into Classroom to assist educators. Available globally in English, Gemini helps brainstorm lesson ideas, suggest engaging activities, and generate tailored vocabulary lists. Additionally, the "Help me write" and "Help me read" features on Chromebook Plus devices allow teachers to draft content or summarize complex texts quickly, complete with citations when using NotebookLM.

Updated Read Along Integration

The "Read Along in Classroom" feature now includes Heggerty’s decodable library for kindergarten through third grade. Teachers can track phonics skills via an insights dashboard, offering a clear view of student progress in reading accuracy, speed, and comprehension.

Refreshed Templates and Accessibility

A new library of Google Slides templates provides ready-made designs for lesson plans, book reports, and projects. Accessibility improvements include better screen reader support with text extraction from PDFs on ChromeOS and enhanced reading mode features like text highlighting and natural-sounding text-to-speech.

These updates reflect Google’s commitment to making Classroom a more dynamic, inclusive, and efficient platform, empowering educators and students alike with cutting-edge tools.