From the creators of Google Read and Write, a seminal extension for our literacy programs, EquatIO allows teachers to insert single and multiple lines of math statements, and graphs into a google doc, sheet, slide, form and drawing, for free!
In 18 years of teaching Mathematics I’ve used my fair share of equation editors. I began with Word Perfect, then quickly adapted to MS Word, and I have witnessed the improvements in equation editing tools. Every math teacher knows by heart the shortcut keys in Word for superscripts and subscripts, and that ever-so-necessary fraction button in the equation editors.
Google Docs Equation Editor
I am sure some of you will empathize with my disappointment in Google Doc’s equation editing tools. Until recently, no addon or extension has impressed me when it comes to the Google platform, until NOW!
Like the time I saw my first Lamborghini, passing our family ford Tempo, math teachers will have to manually close their mouths when they see the new EquatiO! And the awe will not only be experienced by math teachers, but indeed by any teacher who has to insert equations (including Chemical equations) into a google product. Is this new extension slick enough to make teachers convert to Google after say… 18 years of creating in MS word? I believe so!
After installing EquatIO from the Chrome webstore, you want to open the extension while in a Google product such as Docs. At the bottom you will find many ways to insert your desired math statements. Likewise if you have already inserted an equation and want to change it, you simply select the equation then press extract.
Here are the ways you can insert your statements.
The New prediction feature helps finish your statements for you
Allows for users to enter LaTeX code like \frac{3x^2}{4} to create
Inserts a graph generated by DESMOS
Inserts handwritten statements and converts them to text
Inserts by simply speaking the statements
Inserts from your Mobile device
Mobile Device Inserts
On your mobile device, visit m.equat.io and sign in with your Google account. From your mobile device you have three input methods, handwriting, speech to text and photo.
Using the handwriting tool, you write the statement on your phone, press the check mark, select Save as math. You will notice it converts it to a text math statement, then simply press the upload button where it uploads to your selected open document.
Now let’s take a look at the “Photo” feature…I’ve saved the best for last.
Below are two examples, first a chemical equation is written on paper, the picture is taken, then you select the location of the statement within the picture, then Save as math, it converts to digital text where again you press the Upload button to send it into your document. The second example demonstrates the photo feature but with multiple lines of math. Here we solved an equation, took the photo, selected the location, saved it as digital text and uploaded it into your document.
Example 1: Chemical Equations
Example 2: Multiple Lines
Teachers … recognize that open jaw – and you may close it at any time! Mic drop!
