Sometimes the best way to introduce new content is through simple reading and worksheet. Sadly, our students don’t always feel the same pleasure filling out graphic organizers as we would like them to. Enter the HyperDoc. HyperDocs are “digital lessons that you give to students for engaging, inquiry-based learning” (Keeler) More than just a digital worksheet, HyperDocs allow your students the chance to explore and evaluate what they have read. In an effort to spice up a lesson on early Greeks, for example, my Doc included embedded video exploring a place in Knossos and invited my students to listen to Homer’s The Odyessey read aloud. Instead of simply reading text, students could explore the history and gain greater perspective. Simply adding videos, map links, vocabulary, etc. allowed my students greater freedom. It was also a big help with my ELLs. A modified version was easy enough to make, and instructions with links to vocabulary lists and grammar lessons helped keep students on track, while still integrating them into the gen ed class.
Sample HyperDoc
Sample ESL HyperDoc