The @JakeMillerEdu Newsletter

490 words. ~ 2 minute read

In Today's Email:

1️⃣ How does ordering take out relate to teaching?

2️⃣ New podcast episode!

3️⃣ Auto-grading in Pear Deck

4️⃣ New Google Forms control options

The other night, while my dad visited our house, I faced one of the biggest challenges of modern family life: ordering takeout. For the 6 of us, it's quite a challenge. My dad needs low-cholesterol options, my daughter avoids red meat, my oldest son pretty much only wants Chipotle or Raising Cane's, and my youngest son refuses to eat melted cheese. You read that right: he won't eat melted cheese.

Ordering from six different restaurants was not an option, so finding one place that could meet everyone’s needs is the goal. As I scrolled through options, I realized: this is what Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is all about.

Like feeding my family, teaching means balancing diverse needs — creating one environment that works for students with different abilities and interests. It’s not about offering six curriculums; it’s about designing lessons that can fit everyone.

This is the essence of UDL: building flexibility into lessons from the start so all learners thrive.

Next week, I’ll share a little more about this takeout story, but for now, think about this: What’s an easy way your classroom could be more like a restaurant menu?

🪩 New Year, New Podcast Episode 🎉

If you'd like to hear more about my takeout story and how it relates to AI tools for teachers, check out this week's Educational Duct Tape podcast episode. Adam Sparks joins the show to talk about teaching writing in the age of AI. We discuss tools like Brisk, Draftback, revision history, and Short Answer. Listen to the podcast episode here on Apple Podcast or find the episode on other platforms using this link.

👀 Edu News I’ve Got my Peepers On 👀

Pear Deck Adds Auto-Graded Questions! Grading in Pear Deck!? 🤯 Yup, they now offer auto-graded questions for choice and number slides. You can even assign point values. By the way, there's now two separate options: choice questions for when you want them auto-graded or poll questions for when you don't, or just want more choices for learners to choose from. Watch Stacey Roshan’s demo to learn more! Have you tried these new features out?

📢 New Google Forms Control Options! Google added a new way to manage who can respond to Forms. Instead of just restricting to your domain or opening it to everyone, you can now share forms with specific students, classes, or groups. Do you feel this is a useful update? Does it solve a problem you’ve had before? Let me know! Learn more here.

🤣 W Bussin' Memes for Teachers that Cook, Bet (No Cap) 🤣

Meme source: https://mycalcas.com/2021/01/teachers-returning-from-winter-break-memes/

Thanks for all you do for your communities!

P.S. Don't forge to tune into the podcast episode!