Hyperdocs: Harnassing Google Docs To Deepen Learning

I often struggled in the classroom, when I sent kids on an online exploration of a given topic, about just how much information to give them. Do I provide all the resources to them? Do I give them merely a sampling of sources they should use and then allow them to seek out the rest? How can I ensure students are actually consuming, thinking about, and understanding those resources when they have them, whether curated by me or discovered by them?

I always erred on the side of the "Goldilocks" version - not too much, but not too little guidance and information. I think I did them a disservice, however, in not modeling the proper methods and skills needed to extract the information I wanted them to grasp. I often sacrificed the important critical thinking skill-building structure for the exploration itself. With all the options of products, services, and places students can go to retrieve information regarding a particular topic, it's important for students to discern proper sourcing of information and a deep understanding of how it connects with the overarching concept and learning goals.

Luckily, innovations in educational technology has provided one method of meeting those demands. Enter Hyperdocs! Hyperdocs is a relatively new method of lesson delivery that hits a number of hot button areas: engagement, inquiry-based, differentiated to the learner, and a reflective process of learning that empowers students to extend their learning.

Sounds wicked, yeah? It does take time to create but this may be a good collaborative task for departments to work on during collaboration.

The best way to describe the Hyperdoc itself, is this: It is a self-contained set of activities and resources linked to one document. The Google Doc you start with is like a map to other areas of the web and sources (carefully selected by you) in order to achieve content and skill-based learning goals you've set. Imagine the power of teaching a concept and setting a virtual path for students to follow. Complete with building on whatever skills you are working with them on.

The trick is to provide avenues of exploration, relevant sources, and multiple methods of content delivery to achieve learning goals. There are 1000s of Hyperdocs on the web and no two are alike. They all, however, guide the learner further down the rabbit hole of exploration while stopping along the way for students to interact with one another, refine their ideas and findings, and be cognizant of the learning process.  

Here are some sites that allow you to see how other teachers are using these in the classroom:
The Hyperdoc Girls - from the creators themselves! They also provide Templates
Hyperdoc Examples - a lot of examples on this site but it takes an age to load!
Karly Moura's Shared Drive Folder filled with examples

The embedded Doc below is an example of a Hyperdoc on the Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation to give you an example of what one looks like. If anyone is interested in developing these, I would be more than happy to help out!

Here's a link to the doc if it's hard to see it below