Using Google Keep to Solve Problems and Record Thinking During Math
Coaching Question: How can I integrate Google Keep into my Math Curriculum?
This year, educators have been raving over Google Keep in almost all areas of the curriculum. I immediately seem to gravitate towards mathematics when I think of the amazing ways we can use Google Keep in our classrooms.
Why Google Keep?
- Students may add a photograph from a digital or hard copy of the math problem.
- Students may use the drawing tool to annotate or solve the problem.
- Students may use the voice tool to explain their thinking, which not only records but also has the speech-text option, providing a transcript of their recording (only via mobile apps).
- Students may work collaboratively with a partner.
- Students may convert the note to a Google Doc.
- Students may then share their work with a teacher.
- Students may create a digital portfolio while creating and saving notes.
Example Math Assignment
If you distributed a paper or digital math problem to students, they could take a photograph or a screenshot of the problem. Students could then use the drawing tool to solve and annotate the math problem. This allows you to go paperless or share the assignment via any digital tool or whiteboard.

Students record their thinking using Voice Recorder
Students could add their thinking using the Keep mobile app voice recorder.

The recording will then use the speech to text feature to provide a transcript. Students may correct and edit and errors in the transcript. Or add important details that they left out.

Collaboration Tool
Students may collaborate with a partner and share their work with their teacher or group members.
Convert to Google Doc and grab image text.
If you click on the 3 dots, you have the option to copy the note to Google Docs or grab image text! How awesome is that?
Google Keep is really a “one stop shop” when it comes to seeing students work and understanding their thinking. I find this especially true if you are using the Keep App on mobile devices due to the Voice Recording feature.