Google is bringing Guided Learning capabilities to Google Search and Google Classroom and updating access controls for its AI products used by K-12 students.

Chris Phillips, VP and General Manager of Education at Google, said the updates are part of the company’s work to develop AI tools that support student learning in partnership with educators.

Guided Learning comes to Google Search and Classroom

Google’s Guided Learning approach is based on the concept of “productive struggle,” which allows students to work through challenges without becoming so overwhelmed that they give up.

In Gemini, Guided Learning acts as an interactive study tool that coaches students through problem-solving using open-ended questions and step-by-step breakdowns. Google said its research shows that Guided Learning leads to measurable learning gains among students.

Google Search

Google is building Guided Learning capabilities into Search for student accounts. When Search identifies certain types of homework-help requests, it will guide students through the topic or problem step by step instead of providing a direct answer. Examples include:

• Pasting a complex physics problem into Search.
• Asking Search for help writing a book report.

In these cases, Search will provide prompts to encourage critical thinking and help students work through the concepts without directly giving them the answers.

Google Classroom

Classroom serves as a central hub where teachers and students organize schoolwork, share assignments and stay connected. When students start Guided Learning activities assigned by their teachers, the feature provides:

• One-to-one study support: Acts as a study tool anchored in classroom material to help students stay on task.
• Real-time teacher insights: Helps teachers identify areas where the class may need additional support.

Google said it worked closely with schools and educators to test Guided Learning in Classroom and incorporate their feedback before launch.

Google updates AI access controls for schools

Google is updating its approach to school controls for Gemini, Gemini Notebook, Gemini in Classroom, and Google Search following feedback from schools, teachers, leading researchers, and policymakers.

Under the updated approach, access to these products will be entirely turned off for K-12 student accounts until school administrators explicitly enable them. Google will share more details with schools in the coming months, ahead of the changes rolling out, giving administrators time to prepare and enable a smooth transition.

The updated controls will allow school leaders to decide how AI products are used in their classrooms. Google said it will continue gathering feedback and working with schools, teachers, pedagogical experts, and parents as it evolves its approach to AI in education.

Availability

• Google Classroom: Guided Learning is globally available starting today.
• Google Search: Google will begin piloting Guided Learning in select U.S. schools later this month. It will gather educator feedback before expanding the feature to other school districts in the coming months.