By Amanda Connelly

The Hyperdoc I decided to blog about was created by a teacher named Jackie Gerstein and was completed by her ninth grade students. Jackie was teaching a ninth grade freshman seminar and decided she wanted to do a brain science unit, so she decided to create a brain science hyperdoc. The Hyperdoc consisted of sixteen slides and was packed with videos, links, and activities on each slide that the students had to watch, read, and complete in order to learn and finish the Hyperdoc.

Besides making a short list, as seen in the image above, the Hyperdoc was filled with other activities that allowed the students to be artsy and creative. For example, on one slide, the students had the option of using playdough to create a brain and had to use different colors for the different lobes, and then label and explain its function. On another slide, the activity required students to make a neuron, which they made out of candy. This activity was a class effort because besides labeling the parts of the neuron, students had to find two other students to connect their neurons to.

Another activity embedded into the Hyperdoc was a link to a creative writing website that revolved around the brain. The students had to complete two writing activities from the website. The website was full of  numerous writing prompts, so the students had many options. 

Overall, I think Jackie made a great interactive Hyperdoc for her students. Not only did students have to use the internet, but they also had to complete hands-on activities, which I think is also important/helpful when learning new information. I also liked how Jackie’s instructions on each slide were simple and clear, which made it easy for the students to understand what needed to be completed. I wish I had done this Hyperdoc when I was in the twelfth grade and had a whole unit about the brain and how it works. It would have been extremely helpful!