Google Keep is a note-taking service developed by Google.
There is no doubt about the utility of the apps and tools that Google presents. It has something in store for everyone or rather I should say every tool by Google can benefit everyone. Google Keep is one tool that has been discussed lately so when we explored the tool we were amazed as it offers some amazing features that can help educators in multiple ways personally and professionally. The pointers below will help educators use this tool in the possible ways. Find out how:
1. Create Notes & Lists
Ideally Google keep is for this one thing only it’s just the varied way you can do the same. The tool allows you to create notes alone or in collaboration with other, share them, sort then by color or add labels to categorize multiple notes (this can be beneficial for educators taking more than one subject at a time). Also because Google keep works in sync with Goggle docs it would help educators in the research work or the content that they create. You can put important ideas — or even individual facts — in separate Keep notes. In a new Google Doc, click Tools > Keep notepad and drag their ideas and facts from Keep into the doc.
2. Create Reminders
There is no need to set reminders in separate calendars. Easily set reminders in the keep along with the information the reminder has been set. Again the collaboration feature can remind the other person as well that you have to work together on something important.
3. Grab Image Text
Use Google Keep on a Mobile device or with the webcam/document camera of your computer to insert images that contain text. Google Keep will read the text in the image and convert it to editable text. Now this is awesome! How easier it is to get any piece of text paper on your screen.
4. Send Feedback
Sending feedbacks is another option with keeps. Because collaboration has always been a priority for all the G suite tools, the option to add feedback comes as a byproduct. Here, in Keep feedback can be in the form of comments, text and audio(works only in the app) and can be supported with images.
5. Features That Improves The Utility For Educators:
– Add collaborators: Be it notes or reminders, you can always add collaborators to share the notes which make it of great use for educators. They can either share these notes with fellow teachers to work on something together or with family to make sure the chores are being done on time.
– Change color: The whole concept of colorful digital notes excites me but the usability is that you can categorize notes on different topics and use different colors for each category. Quick and easy way to pick the one you need.
– Add images: This is one innovative thing in the note taking tools. Google keeps allows you to add image with the notes you make.
– Add drawings: It also allows you to draw. Fun!, no?
– Copy to a Google Doc: we already know that educators and students use Google docs for many purposes, hence the tool is an add on. Notes from Google keeps can be copied on docs easily and this makes work for educators a lot easier. Especially when educators have to create reports and type the same thing again, now you can simply paste from the keep easily.
– Search and filter notes: Apart from adding colors to your notes you can label them and easily search them on the basis of the label assigned.
– Pin notes: Pin notes that you use often for quick access.
6. Take Offline Notes
While Google Keep only works online at keep.google.com, the Google Keep mobile app works great online or off. Also, the app offers some extra features like it allows user to jot down notes, ideas or start on a project without needing connection to internet. Also, audio feedbacks can be given via the app.
7. Save Websites To A Note With One Click
Once added to your Google Chrome web browser, you can click the little lightbulb button in the top right corner of your browser to create a note with a link to that website. Type text in the note and give it a label right from the Chrome extension. Then check it out later.
Also watch the video below to get a feel of the tool:
The only drawback I see is that it can get a little confusing for the user to identify various icons for various features. To help you with the same, make sure you watch these tutorial videos by Richard Byrne that will show you how you can use the tool. All in all, this is one must to have tool for the amazing features and the ease it will add.
Make sure you give this tool a try and share your experience with us in the comment section below.
