Distance Learning with Hyperdocs

Delivering instruction is challenging in distance learning situations. Challenging, but not impossible. For the past 6 weeks, we’ve tried countless web based programs – Kahoot, Quizlet, Newsela, Flocabulary, Quia, Quizziz, Edpuzzle – I can’t even name them all.

But Google still rules. Using a hyperdoc, I can direct my students to nuggets of information – either videos or websites or even one of those web based programs – while keeping them and their ideas all on one document.

For example, here is a hyperdoc I created about petroleum.

Meant to take one class period, it leads students to a tour around an oil rig, a video explanation of how a derrick works, and finally another video with a general overview of oil refining. Guided questions lead the way, pointing out the important informatoin while discouraging skipping through just to find answers.

To create a hyperdoc, here are some simple steps to follow.

1. Select resources that are age appropriate and contain the content you want students to engage with.
2. On your Google doc, create a table.
3. The first column is where you will introduce the resources. For example “This video will explain atomic structure” or “Follow this link to read about the life cycle of frogs.”
4. The second column is where you will ask guided questions to lead students to the important information in the resource.
5. In the third column, students will write their answers. It’s easiest for students to follow instructions if you color code the answers. In the example above on Petroleum, I set the page color to gray and instructed students to fill in all of the white boxes. In the example below, students were to fill in all of the yellow boxes.
6. Merge the boxes in the first column so that the resource is spread over all of the questions associated with it.
7. Share on Google Classroom with the option to create a copy for each student.

Here is another example of a hyperdoc on solar power.

Also meant to take about one class period, this hyperdoc includes a very old Bill Nye video (a perennial favorite of every student I’ve ever had) as well as How Stuff Works and StudentEnergy.org, all guiding students to a general understanding of how solar power works.

Later lessons include wind power, biomass, nuclear power and hydroelectric power, all delivered in hyperdocs.

How have you used hyperdocs to help you adapt your content to distance learning?