Notable Notes: #HyperDocs

What’s New? It is hard to believe that I was only introduced to #HyperDocs 5 1/2 years ago as they have become an integral part of the way I teach and mentor other teachers. Every class I teach centers hyperdocs (or interactive Google docs) because they support project-based writing so effectively. My teaching load is a mix of in-person classes which I run as a writing studio (workshop/marathon) and asynchronous online classes. I fell in love with hyperdocs before the pandemic but they proved invaluable during pandemic teaching and now during our endemic pandemic version of education they make living and learning and teaching so much easier for everyone involved. As I removed some old links when posting this update, I thought I’d add one last resource.

Original: This long overdue Notable Notes will focus on teaching with HyperDocs! It has been two months since I blogged. I blame the end-of-semester-combined-with-Christmas avalanche combined with an extra-action-packed Christmas break (with so little downtime I ended up sick!), but I really have no excuse for failing to deliver a Notable Notes blog post for months and months. My PLN continues to grow and rock and inspire me in many ways, but somehow I’ve fallen behind in offering recognition and curation of those inspirations.

I was inspired by my PLN to learn more about HyperDocs and after reading up I was inspired to buy the HyperDoc Handbook and dive right in this semester. HyperDocs are simply an interactive Google document, but that simple idea can be used in so many different ways I think it is a game changer (and I’m not alone – the HyperDoc nation is growing every day). HyperDocs are simply a highly adaptable tool that can be used to support blended learning to inspire and engage students. I am totally using HyperDocs to hack my course management system and address some of the complaints that my students have about that system. I’m also hopeful that HyperDocs will lighten my work load as well as simplify my students’ lives.

Austen Reilley and Kay Snyder (Garden Springs Elementary in Fayette County) first introduced me to the idea of the HyperDoc during their presentation about genius hour at the Morehead Writing Project’s Writing Eastern Kentucky Conference in November. I loved their whole presentation, but the idea of the HyperDoc really intrigued me as it seemed the solution to so many problems!

And so I began studying HyperDocs and began using HyperDocs in my classes this semester – and I intend to make my pre-service teachers create HyperDoc assignments or activities for my Content Literacy class. I’ll share more about my journey in later blog posts, but for now it is important to share some of the inspiration I have found.

You can learn more about HyperDocs direct from the source (that is Lisa Highfill, Kelly Hilton, and Sarah Landis) on the official HyperDocs web site where you can find all sorts of information, resources, and examples (including a YouTube playlist).

In her blog post, How HyperDocs Can Transform Your Teaching, Jennifer Gonzalez of Cult of Pedagogy makes the argument that HyperDocs shift the focus away from teacher-centered, lecture-based teaching which then allows teachers more time for one-on-one interaction and more flexibility. Gonzalez also notes that HyperDocs can also be customized to the learning needs of individual students which is a huge benefit. In addition, think about the advantages of HyperDocs for substitute or snow day  lessons!

Middle school teacher Heather Marshall writes about her HyperDoc journey on her web site and offers a wealth of resources and advice for those interested in learning more about teaching with HyperDocs. She notes: “Hyperdocs have allowed me to personalize the learning experience for my students by giving them the keys to drive on their own inquiry based journey.”

Joli Boucher offers some great tips for evaluating HyperDocs on her blog which just might have solved a problem I was having in another area…

Karly Moura also offers some great tips and resources and more teachers using HyperDocs to inspire you! Lots of help getting started on your own HyperDoc journey here!

Another middle school teacher, Sean Fahey, shares his HyperDoc journey in the blog post The #HyperDoc Effect: 7 ways using HyperDocs has changed my classroom.

I also like instructional technologist Laura Moore’s handy HyperDoc weebly.

Are you using, or planning to use, HyperDocs in your classroom? What are the advantages and disadvantages for using HyperDocs?

Author: Deanna Mascle
#TeachingWriting and leading #NWP site @ Morehead State (KY): Passionate about #AuthenticWriting, #DeeperLearning, #PBL, #Ungrading, and #HyperDocs.

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