Artificial Intelligence model LearnLM, unveiled by Google, has been educated in the field of learning science.
Google's new AI model, LearnLM, is making waves in the educational sector with its unique features designed to enhance learning actively and adaptively. This AI model, specifically trained on learning science best practices, has the potential to revolutionise the way students learn and write effective news stories.
LearnLM, currently available for free in Google's AI Studio, is a dedicated tutor-like model that behaves like a skilled tutor rather than a general-purpose chatbot. It has been fine-tuned based on student and instructor feedback, initially deployed at Arizona State University, and integrated into existing Google apps such as Google Classroom, YouTube, and others in pilot programs.
One of LearnLM's standout features is its Guided Learning mode, which powers Google's Gemini AI's Guided Learning feature. This mode provides a judgment-free conversational space where learners can explore topics at their own pace through scaffolded, Socratic-style questioning. This encourages deep understanding via dialogue rather than quickly providing solutions.
LearnLM also delivers interactive and engaging content formats including images, diagrams, videos, and quizzes to help learners grasp and retain information more effectively. The model adapts explanations based on the learner's understanding and provides structured support to gradually build mastery while managing cognitive load.
Educators who are interested in AI are encouraged to explore LearnLM and consider using it in the future once it is more widely deployed by Google. In Google's report, LearnLM was preferred by education experts more than 31% over GPT-4o, 11% over Claude 3.5, and 13% over Google's standard version of Gemini 1.5 Pro. Users found LearnLM to be easier to use and more intriguing compared to other AI models.
Moreover, LearnLM allows users to choose specific pedagogical strategies, such as active learning or the Socratic method. It was found to provide more detailed, personalised, and effective advice compared to search engine results when tested on various topics, including quantum physics and writing a magazine or news story.
LearnLM is more fundamentally designed for teaching than other AI models. It has been grounded in cognitive and educational research, developed with input from AI experts, neuroscientists, and cognitive scientists. It promotes active engagement, constructive learning, and critical thinking, encouraging learners to move beyond receiving answers to developing their own reasoning by asking probing and open-ended questions.
Google integrates LearnLM with educational tools such as Google Classroom and NotebookLM, enabling teachers to create interactive study guides, summaries, quizzes, and personalised review sessions grounded in specific class materials. The model is also fine-tuned with safety datasets to support responsible AI use in education, including features like admin controls, conversation history settings, and privacy protections suitable for all student age groups.
In conclusion, LearnLM is uniquely designed as an AI tutor focused on active, deep learning with rich multimodal interactions, adaptive guidance, and educational research backing. It fosters critical thinking and long-term understanding rather than just providing quick answers, setting it apart from general-purpose chatbots. As it continues to be deployed and refined, LearnLM shows great potential for education in the long term.
[1] Google Research Blog: Introducing LearnLM: A new family of large language models for education [2] Google Research: LearnLM: A large language model for education [3] Google for Education: LearnLM in Google Classroom [4] Google Developers: Get started with LearnLM
- The teacher may find Google's new AI model, LearnLM, useful in their classroom, as it is designed for active and adaptive learning, and is currently available in Google's AI Studio.
- In Google Classroom, LearnLM can assist students in their stem learning by providing interactive and engaging content, such as images, diagrams, videos, and quizzes.
- The Guided Learning mode of LearnLM encourages deep understanding through Socratic-style questioning, helping students develop their own reasoning skills.
- Learners can choose specific pedagogical strategies like active learning or the Socratic method in LearnLM, which provides more detailed, personalized, and effective advice compared to search engine results.
