Week 2: Learning Hyperdocs

Week 2: Learning Hyperdocs

Reflecting on Hyperdocs

Before actually listening to the podcasts and visiting the Hyperdoc website, I was interested in learning more about this to see IF it would actually be a useful tool I could incorporate into my preschool lesson plans. I have to be honest....I was skeptical...I did not really think I was would be able to utilize Hyperdocs as a learning tool with my students; I just could not see a way to use it in a meaningful way that is relevant to my young students. But, alas, I do like a challenge and I do like learning about new things so I went into this with an open mind thinking I should be able to use this tool for something!!

I was pleasantly surprised by each of the podcasts, they gave a lot of information about Hyperdocs in a small amount of time. However, I still was not convinced that I could use this tool in my classroom with preschool students.  Sean Fahey and Lisa Highfill talked about using Hyperdocs in a way that would allow for student exploration before lessons, this sounds great, but my preschoolers do not have access to their own device on a daily basis and personally I would be concerned if they did since they are still learning about school processes anyway. Here again, I put my reservations on a shelf and just focused on learning about Hyperdocs, what they can be used for and how they can benefit students and the classroom as a whole.

What I learned about Hyperdocs

Like I said in the beginning, I did have my reservations about this tool and using it with preschool students. However, after listening to the podcasts and exploring on Hyperdocs.co I now can see how this tool can be used with my preschool classroom!! I was able to see several examples of topics and templates that would be perfect for teaching with preschool students, 😎!

So here are the key take aways from the podcasts with Sean Fahey and Lisa Highfill.

    Sean Fahey Hyperdocs                              Lisa Highfill Hyperdocs Lesson Design

• Hyperdocs can be used to package content, put content in activities and let students be in control of their own learning
• This tool can redefine instructional strategies when designed in a meaningful and purposeful way....it can free the teacher up to work in small groups or one on one with students
• This tool can be used to package instructional lessons, or parts of instructional lessons, in a student-friendly way
• Hyperdocs can be designed in the format of Google Docs, Slides, Maps, Sites, etc.
• Hyperdocs are well designed, student-friendly lesson plans that students can access and come back to and learn from
• An advantage of Hyperdocs is that they have the ability to be shared freely and modified to suit the needs of students
• Backbone of Hyperdocs work is Explore; Explain; Apply
• Leads to "less assigning and more designing" --Lisa Highfill
• Teachers are able to be creative with their lessons and individualize lessons based on student need
• An important part of lesson design that Hyperdocs can help teachers with is allowing students to EXPLORE the content first before the teacher EXPLAINS it
• Enhances inquiry-based learning instead of passive-based learning

After listening to the podcasts, I took some time to review my notes, reflect on the highlights of the podcasts and my main take aways. I really wanted to focus on how I could design and utilize Hyperdocs in my lesson planning that would enhance the lessons I teach and be engaging and relevant for my students. I also focused on how to incorporate this tool within my lesson planning that would not be a lot of extra work and take time that I already don't have. As I read over my notes I noticed that Lisa Highfill made some really great connections between Hyperdocs and teaching/learning, below are some ideas that are a culmination of her ideas and my own reflections based on my classroom's needs. 

• Hyperdocs can be used to update or modify lessons that are outdated or have not been successful in the past
• By using this method, teachers can solve some time management issues by designing a Hyperdoc that is student-friendly that can be used individually or in small groups while the teacher can provide small group or one on one lessons
• Hyperdocs can be used in association with Project Based Learning 
• Teachers can use Hyperdoc processes to help meet additional state/district requirements while providing lessons that are relative in content and tech based
• Teachers can ultimately package several learning standards or requirements into Hyperdoc lessons which will save instructional time
• Students will be able to work at their own pace on the Hyperdocs or could acquire help from classmates
• Hyperdocs could be designed for group projects where students can work together
• Hyperdocs can be utilized to build confidence and autonomy of learning in students by allowing them to explore and work at their own pace if need be
• Hyperdocs could be used as a guide for content learning for whole group instruction, small group and individual learning
• Preschool teachers could design Hyperdocs for many themes throughout the year and incorporate many Foundation Block standards into one document as a weekly lesson guide
• Hyperdocs would be a great way to introduce young students to a variety technological tools they will be utilizing as they progress through grades
• It could provide basic technology skills for young children while working on content requirements in fun and engaging ways

As I reflected on Hyperdocs and how I could utilize this tool with my preschool classroom things started becoming clear. For the Hyperdoc assignment, I reflected on what I want my students to learn and how I want them to learn it. I am in the process of taking the Conscious Discipline Course through my school and I wanted to incorporate something I learned in Conscious Discipline into a Hyperdoc to use with my students. So, the product of this reflection is a Hyperdoc guide that I will use with my students this week to introduce the concept of breathing and relaxing with STAR Breathing. I really had a fun time designing this Hyperdoc and I found it to be easier than expected. Here is a link to my Hyperdoc:

STAR Breathing Artifact

I am excited to introduce the STAR Breathing Hyperdoc to my class this week, I will update with how it goes in the comment section.