Google is betting that if students love podcasts, teachers should use them.
The company has rolled out a new Gemini-powered tool inside Google Classroom that turns lesson material into podcast-style audio, aiming to boost comprehension and give students a way to replay classes on demand.
How the Gemini podcast tool works
Teachers access the feature from the Gemini tab in Google Classroom. From there, they can:
- Choose the grade level the lesson is aimed at
- Define the topic and set clear learning objectives
- Pick the number of speakers in the audio
- Select a conversational format – for example:
- Interview
- Roundtable discussion
- Casual dialogue
Gemini then generates an audio lesson in a familiar, podcast-like format. Students can listen when they miss a class, need a refresher before an exam, or prefer audio over reading.
The feature is available to schools using Google Workspace Education Fundamentals, Standard, and Plus.
Why podcasts, and why now?
Google is leaning into a medium students already use heavily. Research cited by the company points to an estimated 35 million Gen Z podcast listeners every month in the U.S. Podcasting has also become a staple at universities, which now publish everything from lecture series to campus news in audio form.
Bringing that format into K–12 and higher-ed classrooms is meant to do two things:
- Meet students where they are – in their headphones
- Encourage independent learning – because episodes are easy to pause, replay, and revisit
The AI tension in the classroom
The new tool lands at a time when many teachers are still unsure how to integrate generative AI into everyday instruction. Educators worry about students leaning on systems like ChatGPT to complete homework instead of doing the work themselves.
Google’s message to teachers: treat Gemini as an assistant, not an autopilot. The company is urging educators to review and, if needed, edit all AI‑generated content before using it with students, and to align usage with local school policies and broader "responsible AI" practices.
Part of a bigger Gemini for Classroom push
Gemini for Classroom first appeared in 2024. Since then, Google has been layering on tools for teachers. In June, the company shipped notable updates designed to help educators:
- Brainstorm classroom activities
- Build out lesson plans
- Tailor instructional materials to different groups of students
The new podcast-style lessons continue that trajectory: offloading some of the production work onto AI, while asking teachers to stay firmly in control of what actually gets taught.
