HyperDocs

What are HyperDocs? 

You could be mistaken for thinking that HyperDocs are just jazzy and colourful google docs with links, but they are so much more than that. 

They are visually engaging and packaged learning experiences. They are the means by which students can be introduced to new ideas but crucially are encouraged to think critically, creatively, to collaborate and communicate - to explore and connect with others and the world around them. 

HyperDocs are a simple (and relatively low-tech) way of teaching students about a new concept, idea, or theory. They could also be manipulated to teach a new technique or skill. Designed well, you can create an interactive and engaging blended learning experience, as a complete lesson, all in one place.     

HyperDocs explained

Please watched the following 2 YouTube videos to explore the concept of the HyperDoc. They are short and sweet. There are many more online. 

Examples 

• Example 1 

• Example 2

Summary points 

• HyperDocs provide opportunities for students to: 

• be creative, collaborative, critical thinkers, and communicators 

• be curious - they are curious by nature

• to explore rather that be lectured to 

• talk to each other rather than sit passively listening

• learn in a personalised, blended learning environment (1:1 with teacher) 

• create rather than consume information

• be inspired, in a self-paced environment 

• be engaged and learn interactively (incorporate a range of platforms)

• As I mentioned above, there is no one-size-fits-all template, however a good starting point might be the ‘learning cycle’ proposed by the creators of the HyperDoc, as explained in the video above. 

• • ENGAGE - engage your learners immediately with an image, video or quite to ‘hook ‘ them in 

  • EXPLORE - provide links to web articles, sites, videos, activities for the students to explore 

  • EXPLAIN - the objective of the lesson or the content that they need to know via direct instruction or by means of a video 

  • APPLY - set a task or activity for students to apply what they have learned 

  • SHARE - foster collaboration by having students share their work with you or their peers 

  • REFLECT- consider including an activity for students to reflect on their learning (what or even how they have learned)

  • EXTEND - include materials that the end of the lesson to stretch, extend and challenge 

• As teachers, we all have different go to templates or lesson design structures that we use on a regular basis face to face. HyperDocs not only present an opportunity to rework these lessons for an online space, but also reconsider what else we can achieve with creative lesson design. 

• A HyperDoc provides the structure for you to design a complete lesson for students to progress through at their own pace - led by clear instructions and sequenced hyperlinks. A great option to mirror the structures that you might typically include in a typical face-to-face lesson - engage, explore, explain, elaborate, evaluate etc. 

• As with most online teaching models, HyperDocs are not really about the technology, they are about the learning that comes from it. 

• If you want students to be creative, collaborative, critical thinkers, and good communicators, even when working from home, the HyperDoc model could be a winner in teaching specific elements of your curriculum. 

• Students are curious by nature. Curiosity leads to powerful learning & engagement. Hyperdocs can be one way to provide the opportunity for students to be curious. 

• The ‘apply’ stage of the lesson opens up the potential for students to be creative. You could have students ‘create’ any number of things to apply their learning and this is where you could potentially hyperlink students to an existing web tool or app. (A MUST SEE - 14 engaging example activities)

What hyperdocs are NOT 

Please study the following 3 images to further unpick what HyperDocs are, but crucially, and what they are not. 

Wider reading...

https://hyperdocs.co/  - the site hosted by the creators of the HyperDoc

https://www.cultofpedagogy.com/hyperdocs/ 

https://ditchthattextbook.com/the-hyperdocs-toolbox-14-engaging-example-activities/