Google Announces Classroom Updates, New Tools for Chromebooks

Google has introduced a variety of features across its products for education, announced recently at the 2025 BETT ed tech event in London. Among the additions are enhancements to Google Classroom and new tools for Chromebooks, "designed to help address the diverse needs of students around the world," Google said in a blog post.

New features for Google Classroom include:

  • The ability to generate tailored vocabulary lists using Google's Gemini AI chatbot. Educators can use the tool to create custom word lists for defined grade levels and topics, complete with definitions, parts of speech, and examples.
  • Four new add-ons accessible within Classroom: FigJam (collaborative online whiteboards for discussions, brainstorming, or group work), Education Perfect (curriculum-aligned activities), Discovery Education (real-world content and multi-modal instruction), and Autodesk Tinkercad (3D design, electronics, and coding).
  • The ability to define student groups, allowing educators to differentiate assignments and assign grades based on each group's needs.
  • A shareable Classwork link to keep students' guardians informed on assignments.

And for Chromebooks:

  • New "Class tools" provide real-time control and student engagement features for managed Chromebooks. Educators can connect with students' individual Chromebooks in order to share content directly to students' screens, check their progress, turn on live captions or translations, and more.
  • A new "Face Control" feature enables users to control their cursor through head movements and perform various actions using facial gestures.
  • Forthcoming Chromebook and Chromebook Plus devices include the Acer Chromebook Spin 511 and Lenovo Chromebook Duet EDU G2, built for younger learners, the Asus CR1204CTA and HP Fortis G1i 14 Chromebook, designed for older grades, and the new Lenovo Chromebook Plus 2-in-1, for educators.

For a full overview of these and other updates, visit the Google blog.

About the Author

Rhea Kelly is editor in chief for Campus Technology, THE Journal, and Spaces4Learning. She can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • AI symbol racing a padlock symbol on a red running track

    AI Surpasses Cybersecurity in State Education Leader Priority List

    For the first time, artificial intelligence has moved to the top of the priority list for state education leaders — knocking cybersecurity from the number one spot, according to the 2025 State EdTech Trends report from SETDA.

  • stack of gold coins disintegrates into digital particles against a dark circuit-board background with glowing AI imagery

    Report: Most Organizations See No Business Return on Gen AI Investments

    Despite $30-40 billion in enterprise spending on generative AI, 95% of organizations are seeing no business return, according to a recent report out of the MIT Media Lab.

  • robot brain with various technology and business icons

    Google Cloud Study: Early Agentic AI Adopters See Better ROI

    Google Cloud has released its second annual ROI of AI study, finding that 52% of enterprise organizations now deploy AI agents in production environments. The comprehensive survey of 3,466 senior leaders across 24 countries highlights the emergence of a distinct group of "agentic AI early adopters" who are achieving measurably higher returns on their AI investments.

  • student reading a book with a brain, a protective hand, a computer monitor showing education icons, gears, and leaves

    4 Steps to Responsible AI Implementation in Education

    Researchers at the University of Kansas Center for Innovation, Design & Digital Learning (CIDDL) have published a new framework for the responsible implementation of artificial intelligence at all levels of education, from preschool through higher education.