Google Keep in the Classroom

Using Google Keep for Research and Writing

How to use this Template

This lesson can be used with students and teachers of all subjects and grade levels who utilize Google Docs/Slides in the classroom. At first, when working/coaching teachers, this can help as a guide or resource for teachers to “get started” with integrating Google Keep within Google Docs or Slides. After, this can be a guide for the teacher when turn-keying the information to teach their students and apply to a class assignment.

What is Google Keep

A note-taking app that is part of the core Google Suite. Users can use Keep to take notes, build “to-do” lists, find and save sources/links, archive information, share/collaborate on notes with others, and access notes on a cell phone using the Keep App for IOS or Android.

How-to Guide

Step 1: Install the Google Keep Chrome Extension

Step 1: Install the Google Keep Chrome Extension

Access the Chrome Web Store, search for Google Keep, and install the extension.

Step 1: Install the Google Keep Chrome Extension

Step 2: Conduct Research and Activate the Extension

  1. Open a website, online article, journal, etc.

  2. As useful sites/links and important information is gathered, click on the Keep extension to open the Keep window.

  3. Title the note and type information (the link to the website and any changes to the note are automatically saved).

Step 3: Add Labels

  1. Click on the Label Icon to tag your note or organize it.

  2. To create NEW labels, click the OPEN IN KEEP icon.

  3. Select CREATE NEW LABEL (You can create one for Primary Resources and one for Secondary Resources)

Step 4: Bring to Google Docs or Slides

Step 4: Bring to Google Docs or Slides

  1. Open Google Docs/Slides

  2. Open Keep (Found in the right toolbar)

  3. Keep finds all of your notes along with any links/notes/etc.

  4. Click and drag a note over to the Google Doc to insert.

Step 4: Bring to Google Docs or Slides

How Can This Be Used in the Classroom?

When it comes to research and writing, helping students gather their resources, compile an annotated bibliography, and organize their information into an essay is often tedious. In the past, teachers took advantage of notecards and color-coded labels, to organize primary and secondary resources, have the student place them on a table, and organize them first into piles, then into the body of the paper. Google Keep is the digital version of this activity!


Students can also do this with Google Slides. Groups can conduct research on a topic, share Google Keep notes with each other, and then bring these notes back into their presentation.