Last weekend I attended the Indiana GAFE Summit put on by EdTechTeam (it was awesome, and I highly recommend attending if you get a chance!). One of the sessions I attended was about Hyperdocs presented by Tricia Jones Hall. I had seen and understood the basics of Hyperdocs, but I wanted to make sure I wasn’t missing the mark. I think I might have been a little bit. I had an ah-hah moment:
I should be using more Hyperdocs for edtech professional development!
What is a Hyperdoc?
According to the ladies who coined the term “Hyperdoc” (Lisa Highfill, Kelly Hilton, and Sarah Landis) on the official hyperdoc.co website, a Hyperdoc is, “a transformative, interactive Google Doc replacing the worksheet method of delivering instruction, is the ultimate change agent in the blended learning classroom. With strong educational philosophies built into each one, HyperDocs have the potential to shift the way you instruct with technology.” Here is a great classroom example about Hopes and Dreams created by Rachel Marker and Karly Moura.
Here are the Hyperdoc basics:
- It is NOT just a Google Doc with links. Learners will actually interact with content and reflect on their learning within the Doc. I think this is where I missed the mark previously. Looking at some examples in Lisa’s session (below) helped me realize this.
- Speaking of Docs, a Hyperdoc doesn’t just have to be a Google Doc. In fact, building a Hyperdoc in Google Slides offers some benefits over using a Doc, such as embedded YouTube or Google Drive videos, etc.
- A Hyperdoc is a lesson within itself, and it will most likely take more than a single class period for students to work through.
- Hyperdocs are engaging, learner-centered, and most importantly, far from sit and get!
As you build a Hyperdoc, think through the following information:
- How will learners Explore the information?
- How will learners Explain their learning?
- How will learners Apply that learning? Not a worksheet! Check out my Backward EdTech Flow Chart for some ideas.
- How will learners Share it?
- How will learners Reflect afterward?
- How will learners Extend the learning if they have extra time?
Why You Should Start Using Hyperdocs for EdTech PD
So back to my ah-hah moment. Hyperdocs are such an excellent instructional tool for classroom teachers to utilize. As a coach, one of the most effective ways to get teachers to use technology is to model it. So, it only makes sense to start using more Hyperdocs in professional development. This not only models the use of Hyperdocs, but it will also allow teachers more time to play and explore technology on their own through the nature of Hyperdocs and self-directed learning (which, coaches know time to play with technology is also an effective strategy). Below are a few examples of Hyperdocs (about Hyperdocs) Tricia shared in her session that I think will help bring it all home for you, too.
“This not only models the use of Hyperdocs, but it will also allow teachers more time to play and explore technology on their own through the nature of Hyperdocs and self-directed learning.”
- How to Hyperdoc- Google Slides example
- How Hyperdocs support SMAR– a Hyperdoc to provide resources to other Hyperdocs on the SAMR scale. Professional development Gold!
- 5 Steps to Create a Hyperdoc
- Hyperdoc Lesson Template with tons of resources to create your own
So what do you think? Do you use Hyperdocs to deliver professional development to teachers or with your students in the classroom? What tips do you have?
Tech To You Later!
-Katie
Are Hyperdocs JUST for Google? We are an Office365 and Schoology district, but I’d love to integrate these into our work.