Hello GEC Community! 👋
Staying up to date with the rapid pace of Google Workspace releases is key to supporting our students and colleagues effectively. This week’s recap brings several features that directly impact how we teach, how students study, and how we manage our digital environment.
Here are the highlights from the latest Google Workspace Updates Weekly Recap:
🎥 Native Audio & Video Recording in Google Classroom
Perhaps the most exciting update for educators is the ability to record audio, video, and screencasts directly within Google Classroom. This native functionality supports multimodal learning by allowing:
-
Teachers to record instructions or provide personalized video feedback.
-
Students to record and submit responses that show what they know beyond just text.
-
Impact: This is a major win for accessibility and engagement across all school levels.
-
Read the full details here
🎓 SAT Prep in Gemini
For secondary learners, Gemini is now a powerful study partner. Google has launched full-length, on-demand SAT practice exams at no cost. These tests are grounded in vetted content from experts like The Princeton Review, providing instant scoring and personalized study plans.
📊 Granular Controls for Google Forms
All existing Google Forms are being automatically upgraded to include granular responder controls. This allows creators to limit responses to specific users or groups, similar to how we share Docs or Slides.
🗓️ Smarter Scheduling & Calendar Visibility
-
Gemini in Calendar: Finding the perfect meeting time is now faster as Gemini analyzes time zones and conflicts automatically. Learn more.
-
Color Labels: Event color labels are now accessible to anyone with "Make changes to events" permissions, making team organization much clearer. Learn more.
📓 NotebookLM + Gemini Integration
Workspace users can now add their NotebookLM notebooks as a source in the Gemini app. This allows for responses that are deeply grounded in your specific research and resources.
Original Source: Google Workspace Updates Weekly Recap - January 30, 2026
