Create with Google Gemini

Google Gemini, like ChatGPT and other generative AI tools, allows you to create text, do research, learn, and more. We use Gemini because it's part of Google for Education, which makes it usable for students and staff of all ages and because we have a SOPPA agreement which means our data is protected.

Recently, Google announced new features in Gemini that can be used to propel creativity: Create Images, Create Video, Learn, and Write.

Create Images

Photoshop is a professional, robust tool for editing images. Gemini 2.5 Flash, the latest free version of Gemini, now performs many tasks normally reserved for tools like Photoshop. For example, I uploaded the Barrington 220 photo of myself, and then asked Gemini to change the background to Bora Bora, give me facial tattoos like Post Malone, and change the color of my shirt from blue to red. Here is the result.

This technology allows teachers across all grade levels and content areas to use photo editing for engaging, contextualized learning. Primary students can use background changes to place self-portraits in new worlds for creative storytelling and descriptive writing. Intermediate students in social studies can apply outfit changes and background shifts to dress themselves or a figure in historically accurate contexts, fostering empathy and an understanding of different eras. For middle school science, students can use the "marking" or "tattoo" feature to visually represent abstract biological concepts like infections or mutations on diagrams, demonstrating their understanding of complex systems. Finally, high school media literacy classes can use all editing features (background, clothing, markings) to create satirical images, helping them analyze and deconstruct the powerful role of visual rhetoric and symbolism in media.

Create Videos

For a Google Veo video example, I wanted to create a video of me running on a track at Barrington High School and suffering a hamstring injury.

In primary science, students could use a simple prompt like "a butterfly flying from a chrysalis to a flower" to visually demonstrate the life cycle, bringing abstract concepts to life in a way they can easily understand. An intermediate social studies class might generate a short clip of "a Roman soldier marching through a busy ancient marketplace" to visualize daily life and setting, making historical periods more tangible than a textbook description. Middle school ELA students could generate a scene, such as "a mysterious, fog-covered forest with a lone figure walking toward a glowing cabin," to create a captivating video trailer for a short story or literary analysis, prompting deeper understanding of mood and plot. Finally, a high school geometry class could use Veo to create a video showing "a three-dimensional cube rotating slowly in space with its net unfolding," which helps visualize complex spatial relationships and solid geometry concepts.

Learn

Guided Learning acts as a personal AI tutor to help build a deep understanding of a subject. It uses step-by-step breakdowns, questions, and interactive elements to actively engage learners.

Write

Canvas in Gemini is an interactive workspace where you collaborate with the AI to draft, refine, and organize documents, code, or other creative projects. It allows for direct text editing, an advantage over Brisk that does not allow students to make edits inside a Boost experience. Teachers can program Canvas similarly to Brisk by creating a Gem.

We hope these exciting updates lead to more guided and supported AI use with students! 

MacBook Air and iPad Swaps Near the Finish Line

The end is in sight for our massive district-wide Apple device refresh! Since early April, the Technology Department, working closely with our Library Technology Assistants (LTAs), has been hustling to get new iPhones, MacBooks, and iPads into the hands of staff and students across every building. It’s been a huge undertaking, and we've successfully rolled out the vast majority of new devices.

Just a Few Left—Let's Get You Swapped

We know that a handful of our colleagues weren't able to make it to the main swap events. Don't worry—you haven't been forgotten! You will get a shiny new device, too.

The Tech Department will be spending the next couple of weeks compiling the final list of staff and students who still need to swap. Once that list is finalized, we will be reaching out to you directly via email with a clear plan to get your exchange done. Keep an eye on your inbox soon for that communication.

Your Quick Prep Guide for a Speedy Swap

When it's your turn, we want to get you back to work with minimal downtime. You can make the final swap ridiculously fast and easy by taking two simple steps now:

• Google Drive is Your Best Friend: Please make sure all your important documents and work files are backed up to Google Drive. This is the key to a quick exchange—it means we don't have to wait for large transfers, and you won't lose any critical data when you power up your new machine.

• Password Power: The biggest delay we see is forgetting a key password. Make sure you know your current passwords for both logging into your computer/network and Infinite Campus. If you have those ready, the swap process is smooth sailing.

A little preparation goes a long way! Thanks again for your patience as we finalize this huge project.

Who do I contact for tech questions in my building?

Guest Author: Kathrine Clarke, LTA at Barbara Rose Elementary School

Who do I contact for Tech Questions in my building?

Your building LTA, Library Technology Associate, is a great start to answering your tech-related questions. LTAs have a wide range of expertise on the different subscriptions that are available to staff and students. Your LTA can help with:

• Troubleshooting technology for students and staff
• Submitting tickets if extra help is needed
• Adding new students to digital platforms
• Help choosing apps for classroom use (examples: Canva, Google Suite, Nearpod, Wayground, etc.)
• Acquiring curriculum materials (e.g., ordering books and consumables from the district office or district libraries)
• Managing electronic testing (e.g., creating users and answering testing platform questions)
• Managing subscriptions (LTAs have admin access for tools like):
• Explore Learning
• Schoology
• MyOn
• iReady
• …and more!

Who can parents contact for Tech Questions?

Allowing students to come to their building library to ask their questions to the LTA is a great way to foster independence and grow self-confidence. If parents want to reach out: 

• Elementary: Contact the classroom teacher first.
• Middle School: Start with the counselor, if the issue continues, include the LTA in an email.
• Middle School and High School students can send a Schoology message or email directly to their LTA.

To find the LTA information for your building, look on the district website for Library Media Services in the Families tab.

Don't Miss YES Discovery Week for IC Training

YES Discovery Week is November 17–21, 2025!

Get ready for YES Discovery Week, happening November 17–21, 2025! This week is dedicated to exploring new opportunities for professional growth through a variety of sessions focused on Infinite Campus. Whether you’re looking to deepen your understanding or discover new tools, there’s something for everyone.

Classified staff who participate in two sessions they have not previously trained in will be eligible to receive board credit.

Please refer to the email sent on October 22 for complete details on registration and the process for applying for board credit.

iPadOS 26 Provides New Accessibility Features & Updates

Key's Quick Tips from Kelly Key, Assistive Technology Coordinator for Barrington 220

The new Generation 11 iPads are here, and they come with iPadOS 26, packed with exciting accessibility updates and improvements! Here are a few highlights: 

• Accessibility Reader (formerly Spoken Content): The text-to-speech feature has a new name and expanded capabilities, including options to read and customize website content. 
• Share Accessibility Settings via AirDrop: You can now easily share accessibility configurations between iPads—a huge time-saver! 
• Text Detection in Live Text: In addition to snapping a photo of a worksheet to have it read aloud, you can now simply hold the iPad up to printed text, and it will begin reading automatically. 
• New Head Tracking Controls: Along with eye tracking, users can now control their iPad using subtle head movements. 

Explore all the new tools and features designed to support our students in reading, writing, math, access, and overall accessibility HERE. (The linked sides include step-by-step visual directions and video demonstrations for each tool.) 

Check out this Google Doc with new iPadOS and iOS features in version 26 HERE.