The Hype About Hyperdocs

Confession time. For a while I thought hyperdocs were simply eye candy for worksheets. However, after watching a couple of videos, especially the one by EdTechTeacher, I've changed my tune. While listening, I immediately had visions of Peer-to-Peer teaching being engaging and accountable. 

So, what exactly are hyperdocs? The "hyper" stands for hyperlinks, and of course "docs" stand for documents. When you create hyperdocs for your class to work on, you're adding links to the document for students to research and learn themselves, the objective of the lesson. Then, to demonstrate mastery, the student could choose to create a slide presentation and include the shareable link on the hyperdocs, write a reflection right there IN the hyperdoc for classmates to read. Include some links for audio from either online, or from your own Google Drive (or other shareable cloud storage you use). If your class has the tools, have the students create an audio file of a report and share the link on the hyper doc.  

Not only is this eye candy for both you and your students, but it allows the students to work collaboratively.   This especially would work well for a 1:1 classroom. As students work through the different activities, they share their reusults or finished projects with their class mates via the links each student adds to the hyperdoc. This would help students who are struggling to get some ideas as to what is needed, and provides an opportunity for students to teach their peers. 

Listen to the explanation Ben gives in the video below, and observe his sample HyperDoc. I could see this being used for Florida History. What do you think? Have you used HyperDocs with your class? I'd love to hear your feedback in the comments below!

Document Cameras--not just for projecting. Flip your lesson!

So, we have document cameras in our room. Whether you're using the ladybug camera, or the aver camera, you are familiar with the idea of having the "video" on your computer screen, and projecting THAT image out to your board.

Are you aware that having that video on your computer desktop also allows you to RECORD what you're demonstrating? Why not record yourself giving a tutorial of the standard you're covering during class? Take said video and save it to your Google Drive (remember, GAFE schools have unlimited storage), then share the said video with your kiddos to Google Classroom as a file attachment, or just share with them straight from Google Drive.

This step will allow your students to have access to your wonderful teaching skills even after hours when they're working from home. It'll also allow the parents to have access to any new skills.

So think about this: next time you're demonstrating how to do a math problem, how to critque a piece of writing, why not record it?

EdPuzzle--Not Just for YouTube

So, during one of the exciting twitter chats either #fledchat or maybe it was #2PencilChat, I learned about an educational website called EdPuzzle. This allows a teacher to assign a YouTube video with some questions embedded.  With the help of Google Classroom, the teacher can post to their Google Classrooms and have the students complete the assignment.

At first I just shrugged it off, since it included YouTube. In our district, although teachers have access to YouTube, and can show to whole group, student accounts have YouTube blocked. Since I am in an elementary school, I can understand it being blocked for students. Guess what? It's not limited to YouTube.

Taking a chance, I reached out to EdPuzzle via twitter and asked some questions. I was hoping that we could upload our video to YouTube, create the questions with EdPuzzle, then download the new project to a Google Drive or something. I know, I know---it's sort of like trying to reach your belly button by going around behind your knee caps. Within the first day, I received a response. It's actually very easy to do, and one DOESN'T have to go through all of the song and dance that I eluded to. Maybe we COULD use it after all!

Test driving it, I was excited to see that it was super easy to use. With a click your google classroom was imported, and ready to go! The first video, the EdPuzzle walks you through the set up, and then you're ready to go! With the FREE version you get all KINDS of neat things to do, and the paid version gives you icing on top of that delicious cake they're already willing to serve you. The more teachers sign up within a school, the less expensive it is.

Interested in EdPuzzle yet? Take a look at the seminar that shows how to integrate this into Google Classroom and see if you're interested...

Google Templates Right in Google Docs!

So, a bit of good news for heavy Google Education users. The Templates can now be accessed right from Google Docs!

Used to, we had to go to the template gallery and start from there. However, that will be going away March 9th. To see the templates, upload your own, share with your district, etc. this can be done all within the Google Drive.

To start, go to your Drive and click "new" as usual. Scroll down to your Google Docs as usual. Next step is a bit different. You should see an arrow indicating a subgroup out to the right of Google Docs. You now have the choice to start from a blank document, or a template.

And guess what? It's not just for Google Docs. You have the same options for Google Slides and Google Sheets, Google's presentation app and spreadsheet app.

Go ahead--doll up those hyperdocs! Add some pizzaz to those Google Sheets!