Guided Learning and Deep Research
Gemini includes two advanced modes that go beyond a quick answer: Guided Learning, which teaches you a topic step by step, and Deep Research, which investigates a question across many sources and returns a structured report. Both are found under the Tools menu in the compose bar. The main difference between the two:
Guided Learning: learn it, don't just look it up
Guided Learning acts like a tutor rather than a search engine. Instead of handing you a finished answer, it breaks a topic into manageable steps, asks questions to check your understanding, and adapts as you respond. It can pull in diagrams, images, and videos, and generate quizzes, study guides, and flashcards from material you upload.
How to use it
- In the compose bar, open Tools and select Guided Learning.
- Tell it what you want to learn in plain language. For example, "Help me understand enzyme kinetics" or "Walk me through how to structure an argumentative essay".
- Work through the steps it offers, answering its questions as you go. You can also upload your lecture notes so it teaches your course content as well.
When it's useful: understanding a concept you're stuck on, preparing for an exam, or working through a problem where you want to do the thinking yourself rather than be handed the solution.
Deep Research: a cited report on a question
Deep Research is an automated research agent. You give it a question; it drafts a research plan for you to approve, then reads through dozens of sources (typically 30–60 or more) before producing a long-form report with citations linking back to where each point came from. This task usually takes a few minutes.
Once it's finished, you can reshape the report into a web page, infographic, quiz, flashcards, or an audio overview. You can also find similar tools in the NotebookLM environment.
How to use it
- In the compose bar, open Tools and select Deep Research.
- Type your research question, then review and edit the plan it proposes before approving it.
- Wait while it works (this runs in the background), then read the report and follow the citations.
When it's useful: getting oriented in an unfamiliar topic, mapping the range of views on a question, or building a reading list before you write.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between Guided Learning and Deep Research? Guided Learning teaches you a topic interactively and checks your understanding. Deep Research investigates a question for you and returns a cited report. Use Guided Learning to learn; use Deep Research to find out.
Why does Deep Research stop working sometimes? Advanced tools like Deep Research have usage limits, even under Education Plus. If you reach a limit, a notification will tell you when your credits reset.