Google recently showcased a range of new educational features during the ISTE 2023 conference. These advancements span various platforms, including Chrome, Meet, Workspace, and Classroom, with the aim of improving the learning experience.
In an effort to enhance accessibility, Chrome will introduce a feature allowing users to convert PDFs containing primarily images into readable text. This optical character recognition (OCR) capability will prove particularly valuable for individuals relying on screen readers.
The release of Reading Mode will complement this feature, and both functionalities will gradually roll out over the next few months. According to an internal analysis conducted by Google, a staggering number of over 360 billion PDFs are currently inaccessible to people with visual impairments.
Another significant announcement was the introduction of the Google for Education App Hub. This platform enables users to discover a wide range of Google Classroom add-ons, School Information System (SIS) integrations, and app licensing options. The latter is specifically designed to simplify license management, allowing schools to directly purchase apps from developers and distribute them to students and teachers.
Google has partnered with renowned companies such as Concepts, ExplainEverything, Figma, LumaFusion, Squid, WeVideo, and Adobe Express. Additionally, Adobe Express for Education is now accessible for free to K12 schools and districts across the United States and can be used on Chromebooks. Interested administrators can access further details and apply through the provided link.
To foster collaboration and inclusivity, Google Meet will introduce tile pairings, enabling users to link their tiles with someone else’s. This feature ensures that both individuals are highlighted when one of them speaks, facilitating co-presentations and making meetings more inclusive for individuals using voice or sign-language interpreters.
Moreover, Education Plus subscribers will now have the ability to host meetings with up to 1,000 attendees, consisting of both contributors and viewers. While contributors can actively participate in meetings, viewers can engage in polls and Q&A, but they are unable to share audio or video. This feature aims to reduce distractions during meetings and grant the host greater control over the proceedings.
Additionally, the Teaching and Learning Upgrade and Education Plus tiers will receive a new capability allowing the integration of interactive questions within assigned YouTube videos in Google Classroom. This feature aids students in assessing their understanding as they watch the videos and can be manually implemented or suggested by AI.
Overall, these new features from Google demonstrate the company’s commitment to improving educational experiences and providing educators and students with valuable tools for enhanced collaboration, accessibility, and engagement.
