Learning About HyperDocs

 What is a HyperDoc?
A HyperDoc is an interactive document, like a slide presentation or google doc, that provides students with access to all learning materials, resources, and activities in one, easily accessible document. HyperDocs shift instruction, providing students the content needed to explore and apply their learning by using communication, critical thinking, collaboration, and creativity. 

How does it enhance student learning?

HyperDocs enhance student learning in a number of ways. There are hyperlinks, embedded videos, interactive elements, and various activities to make learning for students more dynamic and engaging. Teachers can customize HyperDocs to meet the specific needs of individual students or groups, allowing for differentiated instruction. It also allows for students to explore content and topics at their own pace, and in ways that suit their learning needs best. HyperDocs can include reflection prompts to encourage students to think critically about their learning and make connections to real-world applications.

What is an example of a HyperDoc?
An example of a HyperDoc I had viewed, was a simple one-paged google doc. Students would access this document and see the content they need to view and the assignment to complete in three easy steps. The first step is to click on the link provided in the doc, and watch the video. After watching the video, they will follow the next step and look at an infographic of kids in nature. After reviewing the infographic, they will follow the last step on the HyperDoc, which asks a question. They are guided to click on the link which will take them to another google doc, which provides them with pictures, a graphic organizer, and steps to completing the assignment. Each HyperDoc is designed in a clean and colorful way, while incorporating pictures or videos, which make it engaging for students. 

Global Education with 'Global Kids'

In today’s world, global education is more important than ever. It goes beyond teaching students about geography or world history, but instead it’s about fostering a deeper understanding of diverse cultures, perspectives, and global issues. By incorporating global education into the classroom, we give students knowledge and skills they need to navigate an interconnected world. This type of education not only broadens their worldview but also encourages empathy, critical thinking, and collaboration. In this blog, I’ll explore how global education benefits students and share a classroom activity that highlights the power of community both locally and globally. 

          As I explored the various amounts of incredible global education tools we have access too, there was one for primary education that really stood out to me called Global Kids. Developed by global education expert Homa Tavangar and the creators of Barefoot Books’ bestselling Mindful Kids deck, Global Kids includes over 50 hands-on activities that are divided into 5 categories to teach children about food, festivals, games, crafts and ways of helping others around the world. 

        Each card features a front side that introduces the activity, offering an overview of its cultural significance and meaning within the specific location. On the reverse side, students will find step-by-step instructions guiding them through the process, empowering them to recreate the dish, craft, or game as it is practiced in the culture they are exploring. One example of a preview offered by the website is an activity where students learn about the Festival of Lights in India. For example, Diwali, which means "festival of lights," is a time when many people in India and beyond celebrate the power of good over evil. Students are then provided with instructions on how they too can create a lantern inspired by this vibrant and meaningful celebration.

        What is inspiring about these cards is that they serve as a solid foundation for lesson plans, offering educators a starting point for exploring diverse cultures with their students. Teachers can easily build upon the activity, expanding it into a week-long exploration filled with deeper discussions, projects, and hands-on learning. This allows educators to tailor the experience to their classroom’s needs and interests, creating an immersive cultural learning experience. In my future classroom, I am eager to incorporate this global education tool, as it will not only enhance traditional lesson plans but also broaden students perspectives, encouraging creativity and critical thinking through the lens of different cultures.

Belouga: Online global learning

Belouga, not to be confused with the beluga whale, is a learning platform, that connects classrooms with global topics created by worldwide educators. This tool would be greatly beneficial in opening the eyes of students to the world. I went to the 9-12 grade section as I intend to teach highschool, and to be entirely honest, this tool caught my eye because of its name and logo. I saw a whale and I, an animal lover, instantly clicked. I must say, the click did not lead me to disappointment. Upon reading into Belouga, I found it to be a rather interesting tool, with a lot of potential in the classroom, especially a classroom that wishes to have global thoughts. I must say, this path to finding Belouga is quite silly, but I think that ultimately that is perfect. That showcases how an intriguing brand name can increase site traffic, and in turn potentially increase Belouga users!

What a mascot!

But that is getting off track; Belouga seems to be a great tool for a myriad of reasons. They claim to be able to connect "K-12 students and teachers worldwide with real-world content and personalized, self-paced learning."(Belouga.org)What stuck out the most to me is that this tool allows for self pacing, allowing students to be able to work at their pace, without worrying about time constraints. The homepage touts their variety of resources and learning programs. Variety is really awesome because what that alludes to is that this site really has near endless opportunities for learning which can give a classroom endless opportunity to learn. Being a global brand,  educators across the world can contribute to and/or be recipients of the learning programs created on Belouga. Perhaps the most important thing, Belouga can foster a sense of community across borders, across oceans, across the world, and that community is crucial for bringing all corners of the world together, building a better tomorrow!

Bringing Belouga into my classroom could yield great results; as an aspiring history teacher, the global story is a story that is uber important. Being able to pull from all over the globe can help American students gain a broader perspective, allowing them to exit the bubble they live in. Belouga has the potential to be both a major aspect of the delivery of education or a minor aspect. Regardless, the capabilities are there, and through the aforementioned positives of this tool education can be heightened. Since Belouga is aligned with the UNs SDGs, in my classroom it can be used as a method to bring light to these goals. In my K-12 years I never once heard of the SDGs, so utilizing Belouga in such a manner could be a way to expose a classroom to said goals. Overall, this is a versatile tool with a great potential of manners it can be used in the classroom. 

 Collaborating in the Classroom

    Since a young age we have been learning to work with others. It started as play when we were toddlers, turn and talks in the early education years, to group projects and presentations in secondary education and those expectations for collaborating didn't jus stop in high school. People do it everyday at their jobs. From talking in meetings to collectively coming up with a plan for a business and even still working on group projects the ability to work well with others is imperative in most jobs, but especially education. Teachers work together everyday to come up with lesson plans and fun learning activities that an be done within their classrooms. They bounce ideas off of coworkers, their teams that they have within their grade ban, other teachers in the district and even teachers all over the country. Thanks to social media teachers are able to connect all over the internet. They tweet ideas and ask questions and are able to gain different perspectives from all different walks of life. 

    

Personally I have experienced the benefits from collaborating with other teachers and coworkers within my job an my clinical hours. I am currently completing my final clinical (student teaching), where I collaborate with my mentor teacher everyday. I stay after most school days we discuss our plan for the next day. We reflect on the day- what worked? what didn't? and we try and come up with the solutions and new ways to do things efficiently. Just the other day I went into the other kindergarten teacher's room and asked her how she makes the time for learning centers because we struggle in my room and she walked me through step by step on how she runs center time. I took a lot from her and it was only five minutes of both our times. Communication is a superpower and it is a huge influence on the ability collaborate. Being able to collaborate can open door within the workforce and open your own perspective to new ideas helping you grow as a professional.  

Collaboration in the Learning Environment

    Everyone has their own ideas and is unique which is why collaborating with each other is so important. Through collaboration, information can be easily spread and new ideas can be shared. Collaborating with other people is something that everyone will need to do at some point in their life and learning how to do it more efficiently is an important skill to learn. There are many programs that make collaboration easier and can be used to help students collaborate together or help teachers collaborate with each other.

Collaboration Between Students

     One of the ways that students can collaborate with each other is described in the collaborators chapter of Sail the 7 Seas with Microsoft Education. One of the collaboration methods between students in this section is through Minecraft. Since Minecraft is such a popular game it is likely that students will already know how to use it, and if not the controls are intuitive and easy to learn. By using Minecraft students can communicate with each other and work together on projects at the same time. Unlike other methods of collaboration, students are more likely to effectively use Minecraft since there is an element of fun behind it.

Collaboration Between Educators

    Collaboration is not just for students, educators can also benefit greatly. One of the best ways for educators to collaborate with each other is through social media. Through the use of specific hashtags and by following other educators it is possible to collaborate with people from all across the world. On social media educators can collaborate on lesson plans and different ways of teaching a wide variety of students.

Collaberation: Here's What To Know

     As young adults transition into the workforce, we often think about how our traits can be beneficial to the future. Despite being qualified with the skills, what employers and many others are looking for is a trait that allows people to collaborate with one another. Being up front, honest, and personable are all traits that play into the mindset of collaboration. As we explore the book Sail the 7 Cs, we focus on how collaboration continues to benefit everyone in the future, whether you notice it or not.

    To start, ideas derive from other collaborators. We have to have a mindset that allows for all opinions to be spoken, while listening to any information that can be used to progress the project at hand. The best part about communication is that not everything needs to be a face to face meeting. There are applications that allow for collaboration, such as Microsoft Teams. This online tools allows for postings to be made, meetings to take place, and responses to be received on time. Of course, we can view other applications, such as OneNote, Flipgrid and Skype. But, how and why are these important?

    In conclusion, what we draw from these applications are not the skill, but the thought and effort that goes into engaging with them. Collaboration takes two, three, or possibly even more. With collaboration, we can take control of the future, by creating a shared world we can all live in. How will you collaborate with your future?

Collaboration: In and Out of the Classroom

As the world continues to grow, so too will the technology that inhabits it. As a society, we must learn how to utilize the technology we live alongside to its maximum extent. This includes of course, how we utilize technology in the classroom. We can use the technologies at our disposal to increase collaboration between students, allowing them to work together and work alongside each other in ways that can benefit their education. Collaboration in the classroom is more than just forcing students to work together, but instead giving them access to tools that can help them work together in more efficiently and in greater capacity. It is uber important for us to teach our students how to collaborate and how to collaborate effectively because "there are very few jobs that don't require some degree of collaboration"(Sail the 7 Cs  with Microsoft Education, collaborators chapter). The question that remains is.. How? How can educators introduce collaboration to their classroom and their students? 

For students, collaboration in the classroom likely stems from their teachers, so it is crucial that their teachers bring proper and adequate collaboration to the classroom. In a way, collaboration should be instilled as a classroom culture. From day one, collaboration needs to be made the norm, not just an occasional event. Students should always be working together, whether in groups or online. The question now becomes, well, collaboration in the classroom is rather straightforward, but how can students collaborate out of the classroom? This is where the great advances in technology come in, and all educators have to do is harness it. Here are some examples of tools that can be used to heighten collaboration outside of the classroom: OneNote, a digital notebook; Social Media, which can be used to allow students to interact with each other, within school contexts of course; Microsoft Teams, which can create an online, away from school class where students can operate without the binds of class time and fully on their own.  

It is important for educators to grant their students the ability to collaborate, as it is a crucial skill necessary throughout their entire lives. Educators must also utilize tools properly, and that requires work outside of the classroom for them too. However, should teachers create the opportunities, students will surely react positively, as humans love to work together. As the world continues to grow and adapt, so too will the technologies inhabiting it, and educators must continue to stay up to the task of being capable of utilizing these tools to the benefit of their students. 

Collaboration Through Media

Education is always powerful for growth and inspiration, but in recent years, technology has taken it to new heights. With an expanding world of media outlets and educational resources, teachers now have so many ways to enrich their lesson plans and make learning more dynamic and engaging for their students. As educators embrace these new tools, students are also empowered to take ownership of their learning and dive deeper into their subjects.

In Sail the 7 Cs by Becky Keene and Kathi Kersznowski, the authors dive into the impact of media and technology through education and in any workplace necessary to benefit from these tools. In Chapter 2, the focus is on collaboration, and one tool that stands out for facilitating this process is Microsoft Teams. Teams offers an easy way to share and consume media through video, audio, and file sharing in a collaborative space.

A great example provided in the chapter discusses how two people might collaborate on a PowerPoint presentation. Tools like Google Docs let users see changes made in real-time, but communication still relies on emails or text messages, which can lead to delays of hours or even days when trying to reach a consensus. However, Microsoft Teams allows group members to work on their slides, see each other's changes in real-time, and communicate instantly using Teams audio feature. This means decisions can be made and revisions discussed right away, cutting down the time it would typically take to reach an agreement and/or completion.

With tools like Microsoft Teams, collaboration is no longer confined to slow, drug out communication. Instead, educators and students alike can experience more efficient interactions that enhance learning and creativity. It’s clear that technology, when used appropriately, can be extremely beneficial in growing how we learn and work together. 

There are many other incredible media platforms that provide collaborative learning in education. Social media networks like X (formerly Twitter), LinkedIn, Bluesky, and others provide opportunities for connecting with like-minded individuals. These platforms enable people to share, discuss, and learn from one another. What I find particularly valuable about these media sources is that, when you're stuck on lesson plans, projects, or any other challenge, you can easily reach out for guidance, ideas, and advice.

Welcome to Our Class Blog: Web Tools for Global Learners

 Dear Students,

Welcome to the start of an exciting journey in our course, Web Tools for Global Learners! This blog will serve as a collaborative space where we explore, share, and reflect on innovative tools and strategies that empower global education. Think of this platform not just as an assignment hub but as a growing repository of ideas that you and your peers can continue to reference and expand upon, even beyond this course. Educators all over the world have their students blog as reflective practice and to show off their creations to a wider audience. 

Your Role as a Contributor
As pre-service teachers, your voice has immense potential to inspire and inform. Each blog post you create will be a valuable resource—not only for your fellow classmates but for other educators seeking fresh, effective ways to integrate web tools into their teaching. By sharing our insights, reflections, and curated resources, you’re contributing to a larger conversation about global learning and digital pedagogy.

What Makes a Great Blog Post?
For every blog post, you will be assigned a specific topic. Here are some key elements to keep in mind as you craft your entries:

Informative and Engaging: Write in a way that educates and motivates your audience. Share your unique perspective while maintaining a professional tone.

Link to Resources: Include at least two links to reputable, high-quality resources. These could be articles, lesson plans, tools, or research studies related to your topic. Always ensure your links are relevant and add value. You can see I have added some links below.

Use Copyright-Free Images: Visuals enhance your posts and make them more engaging. Use only copyright-free images, and be sure to provide proper attribution when necessary. Websites like Unsplash, Pixabay, Canva, and Wikimedia Commons are great starting points. I created this image in Canva. 

Reflective Thinking: Go beyond surface-level descriptions. Reflect on how the tools or strategies you’re discussing can make an impact in a global learning context.

Why This Matters
As educators in the 21st century, it’s crucial to think critically about the tools we use and how they align with educational goals. Your blog posts are an opportunity to model the ISTE Standards for Educators and demonstrate the skills needed to inspire students and foster a culture of global collaboration. As I was learning, I leaned heavily on other educators in my PLN to learn about the latest classroom tools and best approaches for use. Blogging and reading other teacher's blogs helped me to hone my practice as an educator. 

Let’s Get Started
I encourage you to approach each assignment with curiosity and creativity. Your contributions will help us build a vibrant and resourceful community of learners. Feel free to comment on each other’s posts, ask questions, and share feedback. Together, we’ll make this blog a dynamic and valuable learning space for all.

Here’s to a great semester of learning, sharing, and growing as global educators! Let’s make it count.

Michelle Wendt, Instructor, Web Tools for Global Learners