Explore Fun HyperDocs and Learn How to Revise for Remote Learning
As we shift into remote learning across the globe, many educators are quickly scrambling to figure out digital tools and platforms for delivering instruction. This is a process that needs time and room for adjustments as we try out new methods, reflect on the effectiveness, then revise to fit student needs. Taking this valuable time allows for teachers, students and parents to get acquainted and comfortable with new procedures and routines.
But what about the content we are sharing? Does it feel like a series of assignments or does it include instruction as well? HyperDocs are digital lessons that, when packaged purposefully, will allow remote lessons to feel more like meaningful instruction than just a task or assignment.
What makes a HyperDoc different from simply posting tasks in an LMS or Google Classroom? It’s all in the packaging. These lessons are based on researched cycles of learning. (Atkin, Karplus, 1960) HyperDocs are built around the Explore/Explain/Apply cycle of learning, packaging each component in one location which students can easily follow in an asynchronous environment. This packaging ensures that tasks, links, instructions are clear for students to navigate and are not lost in a stream or through multiple posts or emails.
So how can you begin to use HyperDocs for remote learning? Starting off slow is once again an important tip to consider as you and your students adjust to instruction in a digital format.
Try these steps to make this process a bit easier:
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Find a ‘fun’ HyperDoc to begin with.
Start with a HyperDoc that is not heavy with content, but more focused on creating, making connections, and learning this new workflow. Students need time to learn how to navigate with HyperDocs; experiencing a fun digital lesson will help with future HyperDoc lessons you create. Here are four possibilities:
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Revise and edit to meet the needs of your students and remote learning limitations.
While this lesson has some great videos to inspire thinking and creativity, it needs to be revised to meet the needs of remote learning. The Explore/Explain/Apply cycle is not specifically labeled for students, but it is built into the flow of the lesson so that each piece can build knowledge for the next portion.
Watch the transformation of this lesson during our FB Live event here.
Click here to see the 'after' version of this lesson once I remixed it
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Share with students and ask for feedback.
Once the lesson is revised and ready to go, it can be shared but remember to consider:
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Does this lesson require students to share responses directly on the HyperDoc. If no, then share through a ‘view only’ link in Google Classroom, an LMS, a website, or email. If yes, then share with a forced copy link, or give each student a copy in Google Classroom.
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Often, I will add tasks within a ‘view only’ HyperDoc that I want individual student work to be recorded on. I use forced copies within a HyperDoc lesson to make this easier. This video tutorial helps explain this thinking.
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How will you know what your students thought of the lesson? This method of instruction? Consider ways they can share their feedback such as a Google Form, a discussion thread in Google Classroom, or connected to their final project sharing.
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Evaluate for yourself, considering changes to incorporate next time.
Did this lesson go as expected? Did the student feedback give you insights to their learning at home? What would you do differently?
These are all important considerations that will help with your next HyperDoc lesson. In order to make this work sustainable, you have to edit and revise again to ensure you are meeting the needs of your students and your instructional goals, along with considerations of work time for you.
Reflect on the following to enhance your digital instruction with HyperDocs as you work to create new ones with your content:
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Were the students able to maneuver through the lesson based on your instructions?
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How can you reduce the amount of directions to avoid over teaching and allow for more student choice?
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Did the students’ shared reflections and final projects reflect the level of thinking and learning you had hoped for? How can you adjust portions of a lesson to reach that level?
There is no one right way to create and deliver a HyperDoc lesson. That is what makes them so personal and unique. They truly are meant to reflect your personality as an instructor and your students’ goals and needs. Start off slow, expect errors, revise and try again! A good HyperDoc lesson can last a day, a week, or even multiple weeks depending on how you design it. During this time of remote learning, just try one. If it works, add another, but beware of overdoing it with one for every subject, every day. Through good connections with colleagues, students and parents, you will find your way to incorporating good instruction in a digital format.
You can find more HyperDocs and resources at:
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teachersgiveteachers.net A searchable database of HyperDoc lessons.
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bit.ly/hyperdocYoutube Video tutorials for how to create and teach with HyperDocs.
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bit.ly/hyperdocstwitter Participate in the active conversation and sharing on Twitter.
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bit.ly/hyperdocsfb The heart of the HyperDoc community. Full of conversation, collaboration, and sharing.
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bit.ly/pinterestHD A collection of resources to help with the creation of HyperDoc lessons.
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