Soon after OpenAI introduced Study Mode on ChatGPT, Google has launched a similar feature for its Gemini AI chatbot. Gemini now offers a new mode called Guided Learning. It is designed to help users develop a deeper understanding of topics they’re interested in—rather than just providing quick answers—by acting as a personal AI learning companion.
Powering the Guided Learning feature is LearnLM, Google’s dedicated family of models fine-tuned for learning and grounded in educational research.
The company claims to have assembled a cross-disciplinary team of AI experts, neuroscientists, and cognitive scientists to help build this model. LearnLM operates on the core principle of helping learners actively engage with information to enhance understanding.
Guided Learning encourages participation through probing and open-ended questions that spark a discussion and allow one to dive deeper into a subject. Further, it provides rich, multimodal responses — including images, diagrams, videos, and interactive quizzes — that can help learners quickly grasp information and retain it.
Guided Learning mode is available at no cost for all Gemini users. You can activate while you type a prompt by selecting “Guided Learning” under the Tools section. Teachers can utilize the direct link to the guided learning page while posting homework on Google Classroom.
Commenting on this new feature, Maureen Heymans, VP, Learning at Google, said,
We designed Guided Learning to help with this by creating a conversational, judgment-free space for anyone to explore topics in an enjoyable way at their own pace, putting the power of a great learning experience in their own hands.
We worked with educators to design Guided Learning to be a partner in their teaching, built on the core principle that real learning is an active, constructive process. It encourages students to move beyond answers and develop their own thinking by guiding them with questions that foster critical thought.