Happy fall, friends! Sip on some cider or your favorite pumpkin flavored drink while we review some updates, classroom ideas, and news stories for the month of October. 🍁🎃

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10 important updates and links for October 2024

1. Gemini for teens – Earlier this year Google announced that it would reduce the minimum age for Gemini to 13 (down from 18). That change is rolling out now. IT admins will need to confirm their Gemini settings in the admin console to confirm that the right users have access.  

2. Star rating in Google Forms – you can now insert a “star rating” question in Google Forms. 

3. Tabs for Docs have arrived! – last month I shared a way you could test out document tabs. This update is rolling out to all accounts right now which means you can add tabs to existing documents as well. 

Related Post: How to add tabs to your Google Doc

4. Cover images for Docs – this is a nice update when paired with tabs for Docs. You can select from a list of provided images or upload your own. This makes your documents feel more like a Google Site. 

5. Gemini in Google Classroom – users with an EDU plus and Gemini license can create quizzes, lesson plans, and discussions using Gemini directly in Google Classroom. This is the first time the “Learn LM” version of Gemini has been integrated into a core service.  

6. Parents sue school for punishing teen who used AI on assignment – If you don’t have a clear policy for student use of AI, it’s time to get started! 

Related Post: Do AI detectors work?

7. Pumpkin Carving with Google Slides – here’s a classic Halloween activity for your elementary class! 

8. Halloween Choice board – this collection of activities will engage your students during the chaotic days around Halloween! Thanks to Tonya Nugent for sharing this resource! 

9. Museum of Frights – Google Arts & Culture always shares fun activities around the holidays. This year they have put together a collection of artworks, photos, museum tours and stories related to the spooky season. 

10. Figurative language + AI Images – Halloween is a great time to expand your vocabulary and practice generating AI images!  

Stay informed!

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