AI in Edu: News, Tools, & Views (May 23)
Welcome to my weekly digest of AI in education news, tools, and views to help keep you informed. Let’s get started:
Google I/O 2025: LearnLM & NotbookLM Updates
At Google I/O 2025, Google announced the integration of LearnLM into Gemini 2.5. LearnLM, fine-tuned for educational purposes, enables Gemini to provide explanations, guide problem-solving, and adapt to individual learning styles. Google's goal is to make the learning process more active, engaging, and effective.
Also, NotebookLM now offers Audio Overviews in over 80 languages and upcoming Video Overviews, allowing users to explore content through customized summaries. This feature will allow users to turn the content of their notebook into an educational video. Furthermore, Google's NotebookLM mobile app, now available on Android and iOS, allows users to upload sources for summarization and generate AI-powered Audio Overviews. These podcast-like summaries can be played offline.
In addition, Google Search's AI Mode introduces Deep Search and Search Live, facilitating real-time, multimodal interactions. Students in select countries receive free access to Gemini Pro, including features like custom quiz generation with interactive feedback.
Finally, experimental tools like Project Astra are in development, aiming to provide conversational tutoring with step-by-step guidance. It’s a step on the way to building a universal AI assistant.
https://blog.google/outreach-initiatives/education/google-gemini-learnlm-update/
How Miami Schools Are Leading 100,000 Students Into the A.I. Future
The New York Times reports that Miami-Dade County Public Schools, the third-largest U.S. district, is leading AI adoption in education, introducing Google’s Gemini chatbot to over 100,000 students. After initially banning chatbots, the district now trains teachers to use AI responsibly for lesson planning, tutoring, and student feedback. With safeguards and critical thinking instruction, educators use chatbots as instructional aids, not answer machines, aiming to prepare students for an AI-driven future while addressing ethical and practical concerns.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/19/technology/ai-miami-schools-google-gemini.html
10 Best Tools To Teach Writing
Tech & Learning's article "10 Best Tools To Teach Writing" highlights top digital resources (AI & otherwise) for enhancing writing instruction. NoRedInk stands out for its personalized grammar and writing exercises tailored to student interests. Writable integrates AI to provide real-time feedback and streamline grading. Catchy Words employs augmented reality to make vocabulary learning interactive. Other notable tools include BoomWriter for collaborative storytelling, Epic! for access to a vast digital library, and Wakelet for organizing writing resources. These tools cater to various aspects of writing education, from grammar to creativity, supporting diverse learning needs.
https://www.techlearning.com/features/10-best-tools-to-teach-writing
Navigate AI with New Risk Assessments from Common Sense Media
Common Sense Media has introduced a new AI risk assessment framework to help educators, parents, and policymakers make informed decisions about integrating AI tools into educational settings. This framework evaluates AI tools based on eight guiding principles: putting people first, effectiveness, fairness, fostering connections, trustworthiness, responsible data use, safety for children and teens, and transparency with accountability. The assessments provide detailed, "nutrition label"-style evaluations of popular AI tools, highlighting potential risks and benefits. This initiative aims to empower stakeholders to navigate AI integration thoughtfully, balancing innovation with student well-being.
https://www.techlearning.com/news/navigate-ai-with-new-risk-assessments-from-common-sense-media
What Is Snorkl? How to Use It to Teach
Tech&Learning explains that Snorkl is an AI-powered educational tool designed to enhance student learning through verbal explanation and real-time feedback. Teachers create prompts or problems, and students respond by recording themselves solving the task while articulating their reasoning. The platform includes a digital whiteboard for students to illustrate their thought processes. Snorkl's AI analyzes these explanations, offering personalized feedback based on teacher-defined criteria. Teachers can review all student responses in one place and identify common areas of difficulty through AI-generated insights. Snorkl aims to foster critical thinking and reduce reliance on external answer sources.
https://www.techlearning.com/how-to/what-is-snorkl-how-to-use-it-to-teach
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The effect of ChatGPT on students’ learning performance, learning perception, and higher-order thinking: insights from a meta-analysis
A meta-analysis of 51 studies reveals that ChatGPT significantly enhances student learning performance (effect size g = 0.867) and moderately improves learning perception and higher-order thinking. Effectiveness varies based on course type, learning model, and duration. The study suggests integrating ChatGPT with educational frameworks like Bloom’s taxonomy and recommends its use across various grade levels to support diverse learning needs and promote critical thinking.
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41599-025-04787-y
Processing AI in Education Out Loud (Podcast)
In this episode of the "Class Disrupted" podcast, hosts Diane Tavenner and Michael Horn reflect on their AI in education miniseries. They discuss AI's potential to democratize access to expertise and personalize learning, while also addressing concerns about its effectiveness for young learners. The conversation balances optimism and skepticism, emphasizing the need for thoughtful integration of AI into educational systems.
https://www.the74million.org/article/podcast-processing-ai-in-education-out-loud/
Magic Animator — animate existing designs in seconds using AI.
Google Meet can translate what you say into other languages - The Verge
Introducing AI image editing in Gamma: More control, more creativity - Gamma
New ways Workspace with Gemini helps you do your best work — every day - Google
Sam Altman Explains EXACTLY How Different Generations Are Using ChatGPT - YouTube
Slatebox - Turn prompts into AI-crafted visuals
Newton Cards — free AI-powered flashcard tool
OpenAI launches Codex, a coding assistant integrated into ChatGPT.
Flow - a new Google AI filmmaking tool
Snapdeck - AI slide generation in Figma
Free AI bootcamps in the US for high school students
SchoolAI: Transform Your Classroom with Project Based Learning (Webinar)
Less is more when it comes to AI in teaching - Times Higher Education
DeepMind claims its newest AI tool is a whiz at math and science problems - TechCrunch
How Google Created an AI That Improves Itself - Alberto Romero
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