Search Engine Roundtable reports that Google will turn off Google search, Gemini, Gemini Notebook, and Gemini in Classroom for K-12 student accounts. Access to these tools will remain off until school administrators explicitly switch them on, following requests from educators, researchers, and policymakers.
Key takeaways
- Google will disable Google search and Gemini products for K-12 student accounts by default.
- School administrators must explicitly turn access back on for students.
- Google is introducing a guided learning feature to help students solve problems step by step.
- A pilot program for the new homework help features starts in select U.S. schools later this month.
Why is Google turning off Google search for K-12 schools?
Google stated that the decision comes after listening to schools, teachers, leading researchers, and policymakers who want more authority over AI in classrooms. According to Search Engine Roundtable, access to these products will stay entirely off for K-12 student accounts until school administrators explicitly turn them on. Google also published a 29-page PDF focused on AI in education alongside the announcement.
How will guided learning work in student accounts?
Google is releasing guided learning capabilities into search for student accounts to help kids work through problems without skipping straight to answers. When systems detect a student seeking homework help, the search engine will walk them through the topic step by step. For instance, pasting a physics problem or asking for book report assistance brings up prompts designed to encourage critical thinking instead of revealing direct solutions.
What happens next?
Google plans to share more specifics with schools in the coming months ahead of the changes rolling out so administrators can prepare. A pilot program for the new search homework assistance is starting in select U.S. schools later this month to gather educator feedback before a broader expansion to other districts in the coming months.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, Search Engine Roundtable reports that Google will turn off Google search along with Gemini products for K-12 student accounts until school administrators explicitly turn them on.
Google made this decision after listening to schools, teachers, leading researchers, and policymakers who asked for more control over AI tools in classrooms.
Guided learning is a new capability for student accounts that helps kids work through homework problems step by step without skipping straight to the final answer.
Google is starting a pilot program for the new search features in select U.S. schools later this month to gather feedback from educators.
Google stated it will share more specifics with schools in the coming months ahead of the changes rolling out to allow for a smooth transition.
Based on reporting by Search Engine Roundtable. Read the original article
