Google Workspace: Greatest Hits & New Releases @ Eaton RESA
First Impressions & Take-Aways
Walking into the two‐day session, I half expected a recap of the same Google tools I already use—and instead I left feeling like Google just leveled up. Between new tools like Gemini, NotebookLM, and Vids, and enhancements to stalwarts like Classroom, Docs, Slides, and Forms, there was enough novelty to keep me energized, and enough familiarity to make it practical.
What struck me most:
Innovation + continuity: Many of the new tools augment the ones we already know, rather than replacing them. It’s like Google is giving us “power-ups” instead of a whole new game.
Collaboration first: The conference was structured so we built with colleagues from other districts, not just listened. That hands-on time made all the difference.
Classroom relevance: Every tool or feature we saw was followed by ideas (or sometimes time) to think: “How could I use this tomorrow?” That made it feel less like a lecture and more like a toolbox we’re building together.
Conferences like this can sometimes feel overwhelming—as though you're drinking from a firehose of tech jargon—but this one struck a nice balance. I left energized (not exhausted), and more importantly, ready to try things.
It’s easy in our day-to-day grind to stick with what “works,” but these updates reminded me: innovation doesn’t have to be scary, and small changes can yield big returns. Even a minor tweak in how I use Forms or Slides could shift student engagement or free up time for richer discussion.
Thank you to the presenters, the folks at Eaton RESA, and the 517 Ed Tech educators I got to tinker, share, and laugh with. I can’t wait to bring these ideas into my classroom and see which ones stick, evolve, or spark something completely new.
