In today’s modern classrooms, more focus is beginning to be placed on concepts of student-led learning and instruction and providing more creative and diverse means for students to express their knowledge and understanding of a topic. There is also a move towards providing online and virtual learning experiences that can be accessed by students anywhere with a device. Luckily, there is a form of instructional design that addresses each of these aspects and it is called Hyperdocs.

What is a Hyperdoc?

Hyperdocs are a document or slide shows that have links incorporated within them. Students read through the doc or slideshow clicking on and exploring the different information and resources provided in the links at their own pace. These links can be used to present information in creative ways that address the differing learning needs of students, but they can also gather data on student understanding by providing unique ways of allowing students to apply and share their knowledge before finally reflecting on it. hyperdocs are also excellent for creating collaborative spaces where students share information with each other. Here is a look at a Hyperdoc I found focused on Manifest Destiny.

What do they look like?

This Manifest Destiny Hyperdoc is built as a PowerPoint. The first slide gives some important general information to help intrigue and hook student interests but it also provides a link to a video on Manifest Destiny providing different ways of presenting the material.

A few slides down from the intro, a short activity is given for students to complete. This one is an art examination where students express and explain their understanding of a famous piece of artwork on the concept of manifest destiny. This shows the creative and interesting means Hyperdocs can measure student learning and understanding.

This final slide gives the students a video and quizlet for resources and then asks students to write a summary of the Mexican-American war. This shows how unique and diverse learning resources and comprehension assessments can be combined for effective instructional design.

Overall Thoughts.

Hyperdocs definitely seem to be a great strategy that I would love to incorporate into my class. I believe that creating an interesting and engaging lesson and meeting the needs of individual student’s skills and interests is an important part of education, and Hyperdocs managed to do both and more.

Check out my other blog posts for more other cool educational experiences like virtual tours. Also, check out the entire Manifest Destiny Hyperdoc I used at this link here. https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1ewJf94s8jOinnrCqyT6VHAGNuPZrR6-xQKYEVFztYTM/edit?usp=sharing