Google said Monday it is launching a three-year program with ISTE+ASCD to provide training on Gemini and NotebookLM to every K-12 and higher-education instructor in the United States, a cohort totaling about 6 million educators. The initiative is scheduled to begin rolling out in the coming months and is intended to teach faculty how to use Google’s suite of AI tools in ways that emphasize safety and thoughtful classroom application.
The curriculum will consist of short, adaptable training modules developed by educators for educators. Each module will include practical, classroom-ready examples intended to be implemented immediately, and participants who complete sessions will receive micro-credentials or badges that signify their proficiency using Google’s tools.
Program organizers state the broader aim is to prepare students for an AI-infused world, targeting an impact on more than 74 million students through improved instructional practice. Course content will be created using ISTE+ASCD’s profile of an AI Ready Graduate, a framework described as equipping students with the competencies needed for future success in environments shaped by AI technologies.
Planned module topics include methods for teachers to produce personalized lessons using same-day assessment results, employing Gemini to offer each student an individualized study coach, and adjusting curricular materials to accommodate diverse student needs. The materials are presented as practical tools teachers can adopt without lengthy onboarding.
Richard Culatta, CEO of ISTE+ASCD, emphasized the importance of educator support as AI adoption accelerates: "As AI changes how we work and how we learn, we must prioritize supporting educators to keep pace with these changes. Too many teachers tell us they’re being asked to navigate AI without the training to use it effectively."
The announcement notes that teachers and faculty are already using Google’s products in daily instruction in a variety of ways, including leveraging NotebookLM and Gemini’s Guided Learning features to help students independently analyze exam results and creating interactive, no-code trivia games for classroom engagement.
Organizers said the collaboration is intended to reinforce commitment to educational excellence by combining instructional expertise from ISTE+ASCD with Google’s AI tools and product support, aiming to provide scalable professional development to educators nationwide.
Summary
Google and ISTE+ASCD have committed to a three-year initiative to train 6 million U.S. K-12 and higher-education instructors on Gemini and NotebookLM. The program will use concise, educator-created modules tied to an AI Ready Graduate framework, offer micro-credentials, and aims to affect over 74 million students.