Educational Development Digest: April 2025

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By Catherine Ford, Program Director for Educational Development, Minnesota State

Exam wrappers, sometimes referred to as cognitive wrappers, are not only excellent strategies to promote reflection on learning but also can be an effective study tool. Additionally, the second half of term is a great time to introduce it if you haven’t yet had a chance to implement this strategy in your classroom. The February 2022 Educational Digest Pedagogy in Practice story provides an introduction to cognitive/exam wrappers that prompt metacognition on large assignments or exams.

Although, wrappers emphasize the process of learning and not the specific content, they can still be helpful for students as a study tool. The wrapper can prompt study strategies: did you create a study guide, flash cards, or concept map? These are concrete study ideas that students can immediately implement. Ask students to choose one study tool from the list on the wrapper and write down how they plan to implement it in this next task. To connect this study tool to the content, follow up with a content specific question. Which topic or concept do you plan to spend extra time or focus? How does a particular subtopic best align with the selected study strategy? For example, maybe a student selects creating flash cards for unit terminology or a concept map to organize the relationships between specific theories discussed in the module. This helps students prioritize and match the study strategy to the content.

If a wrapper was not utilized upon return of the last exam, essay, or project, don’t worry, it can still be applied. Even if the last exam or paper was weeks before, ask students to retroactively complete a wrapper. They can still identify their study strategies or project development approach and reflect on the perceived strategy effectiveness as determined by the outcome. Even if students are unable to have in hand (literally or virtually) the last assignment, the act of reflection is still valuable and can influence future study strategies.

If you don’t want to create a wrapper on your own or identify numerous study strategies, The University of Iowa offers a two-page wrapper with directions that you can utilize filled with study recommendations. This is one of many wrappers you can find online. If you’ve created your own cognitive wrapper, please consider sharing it with the NED community via the NED Teams chat. We’d enjoy hearing from you and more about how you use this strategy in your classroom.

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By Elizabeth Harsma, Program Director for Technology Integrated Learning, Minnesota State

The pedagogy in practice article shared ways to use an exam/cognitive wrapper as a study tool. One technology you could use to implement this strategy is the H5P Documentation Tool.

The Documentation Tool interactive allows you to create a custom form. Students fill in the form to create a document and export it. Students can then upload their document to an Assignment or another location for sharing.

Example H5P Interactive: Documentation Tool

View an example of the H5P Documentation Tool interactive below as an exam/cognitive wrapper. The template content is adapted from J.A. Bowen’s Cognitive Wrapper template.

Ways to use the Documentation Tool

If you are ready to try this strategy out, first assure you have a Minnesota State H5P account. You can confirm or create an account by trying the steps in the Step 1. Log in information section on the Get Started with H5P site.

Then, explore ways to use the H5P Documentation Tool for an exam/cognitive wrapper:

• Download/upload. Following the steps in the Download or Copy H5P Content Using the Reuse Button to download the example H5P shared here. Then upload it to your account, edit as you choose.
• Create. Build your own exam/cognitive wrapper with the Documentation Tool Tutorial from H5P Support.

Quick Start with the Documentation Tool in H5P

Here are some quick steps to get started with the Documentation Tool in H5P:

1. Navigate to https://minnstate.h5p.com.
   1. Login with your H5P credentials. 
   2. Your username is your campus email address.
2. Select the Add Content+ button in the top left of the homepage.
3. Search for Documentation Tool and select the interactive for use.
4. Create at least one Standard Page. Add additional pages as you choose. Add accordion, image, text, and text input field editor elements to the Standard Page(s).
   1. Accordions allow you to enter collapsible sections of text on the page.
   2. Image allows you to upload images and add alt text.
   3. Text provides a basic text box.
   4. Text input field editor element allows you to add ‘blanks’ or empty fields for students to entry their responses.
5. Create at least one Document Export Page.
6. From the display and publish menu, select the Publish page and select how you wish to publish your H5P (Unpublished, Protected, Public).
7. Select the Save button.

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Make resources, agendas, and other documents available online 24 hours in advance of meetings or classes. Sharing resources in advance empowers participants through accessible practices. Learn more about this tip.

View more digital accessibility tips.

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By Kate Noelke, Minnesota State Director for Student Mental Health & Wellness, and Shawn Anderson, Minnesota State System Director for Student Development and Success

As we start to conclude the semester, stress and anxiety can start to increase. Minnesota State has support accessibly for FREE for all students that has been vetted by your campus counselors.

Support your students’ wellbeing by sharing these resources:

United Way 211

Not sure what is available or how to access resources for help with things like food, housing, transportation, and/or childcare? A good place to start is United Way 211.

• United Way 211 provides free and confidential health and human services information to all students.
• They are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to connect you with the resources and information you need.
• If you’re looking for information about services available in your community for you or a loved one, they can help. 
• Text your 5-digit zip code (ex: 55943) to 898-211(TXT211) or call 211 (toll free at 1-800-543-7709) to speak with one of their highly trained information and referral specialists.
• Your call is completely confidential, and they have call menus in English, Spanish, and Hmong. Interpreters are also available for any language.
• Visit the 211 website to learn more or to explore resources and support that may be available. 

Mantra Health

Looking for virtual wellness resources? Mantra Health offers confidential and free services to all Minnesota State students. Mantra Health offers a Care Hub website and mobile app that includes:

• Self Care. Short, self-guided wellness courses for improving students’ life skills
• Coaching. Short-term, goal-oriented intervention for students wanting self-management strategies
• Therapy. Holistic, evidence-based care provided by a highly trained clinical provider who understands the student experience
• ConnectNow. In-the-moment support and problem solving with mental health professionals
• Crisis Support. Crisis providers are available 24/7 to de-escalate crisis situations and provide immediate care to students on and off campus

Find your campus log in: Mantra Health Log In by Campus

Find your campus crisis support number: Mantra Health Crisis Support Numbers by Campus

Help is easy, accessible, and available anytime. Faculty and staff can refer a student you are concerned about to virtual care by entering their email address to Mantra Health. The student receives an email invitation to log in and explore services available.

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