Learning in Hand Issue 25

Issue 25 • Date January 8, 2025

Have you heard of the One Word Challenge?

The One Word Challenge invites you to pick one word that captures your goals or mindset for the year ahead. This word becomes your personal mantra, keeping you focused on what matters most and helping shape your actions and decisions all year long.

"A blue snow globe with a miniature rocket launching inside. The word 'LAUNCH' is written in large letters on the base, with the year '2025' inscribed below.

This year I’m choosing the word Launch. I have a project that’s been brewing for a long time. My goal is to launch one-of-a-kind online experience for teachers and students. This experience will be a launching pad for creative expression.

Audience Access Adjustments 👥

Google Forms has changed a bit. You can no longer just copy the responder link. You have to Publish first, otherwise no one can see the form.

Don’t worry, you don’t need to go back and publish old forms. This change only applies to newly created forms.

Google added this extra publishing step to allow creators to specify audiences for the form: anyone with the link, specific people, or specific groups.

A screenshot of a Google Forms form in preview mode. The form is titled "My Awesome Form" and has a single required field labeled "Name." The form is currently not accepting responses, as indicated by a message at the top.

Header Hero 🦸

A header in Google Forms is a wide rectangular image that appears at the top of each section of a form. While optional, adding a header can set the tone and communicate important information.

Teachers often design headers to include elements such as Bitmoji, logos, photos, instructions, lesson numbers, dates, encouragement, school mascots, due dates, humor, or themes.

Screenshot showing 6 Google Forms with colorful custom header images

To add a header, click the Customize Theme button in the toolbar while editing your form. Although you can upload an image of any size, the recommended dimensions are 1600 x 400 pixels.

I design my headers using Google Slides or Canva, saving the final design as a PNG or JPG for upload.

A header image can also be an animated GIF, adding a dynamic touch with moving or flashing elements. Read my new blog post with instructions for designing and exporting animated headers in Google Slides and Canva.

Headers That Move: The Missing Piece in Your Google Forms

TAG Talk 💬

TAG feedback is a simple and effective strategy to guide students in giving constructive peer feedback. It stands for Tell something you like, Ask a question, and Give a suggestion, helping students provide meaningful and balanced input.

Sentence stems can help students give feedback. Download, print, fold, and display this table tent with TAG statement starters.

I made a printable TAG Feedback sheet that you’re welcome to use. It has two per page, so it’s designed to be cut in half after printing. The sheet gives students places to write feedback.

A black and white diagram with two rows of three boxes each. The top row has the words "TELL," "ASK," and "GIVE" above each box. The bottom row has the same words above each box. Each box has a symbol in it: a thumbs up, a question mark, and a speech

For a detailed scaffold for peer feedback, read my post Guiding Feedback with a Feedback Chat. There’s a fillable document that structures the feedback process as a text message exchange.

Padlet’s Progress 🤩

Keeping up with Padlet in 2024 was a challenge because they added over 200 features.

The new option I use most is that ability to customize post fields. I can replace “Subject” with “Name”, describe exactly what I want students to enter, and specify the kinds of files they can upload.

In 2024, Padlet made itself a suitable replacement for Flipgrid and introduced Sandbox, a replacement for Jamboard.

Padlet created an interactive highlight guide, explaining features they have recently added—in alphabetical order!

All of Padlet’s features are available for free. However, free users are limited to 3 boards.

Screenshot of ABCs of Padlet interactive guide

Twenty Twenty-Five Template 🧩

Use this template as a quick brain break. Students drag the pieces from the left margin onto the grid to form “2025”.

2025 Digital Puzzle

Go to File and click Make a copy to get your own Google Slides copy. Or click File and Download as PPTX for PowerPoint.

It took my 6th grade son 3 minutes to complete.

This puzzle was inspired by Sarah Carter’s puzzle. Her printable 2025 Puzzle is more difficult because strips can be placed horizontally or vertically on the grid.

Video Viewing Victory ▶️

Google Drive now offers instant video playback, eliminating the previous waiting period for video processing. This means you can immediately share your uploaded videos through Google Classroom, email links, QR codes, or social media—and viewers can play them right away without delay. Read Google’s announcement.

Ready to Launch! In 2025, I'm expanding my reach through more speaking engagements. I've developed compelling topics that can make a real difference in teachers' professional lives.

One of those sessions is Funky Forms, where I share unconventional and offbeat ways to use Google Forms that will captivate students and wow your colleagues. Designing custom headers is something I demonstrate during this workshop.

If you're aware of any conferences, workshops, or professional development opportunities seeking speakers, I'd be grateful if you'd put my name forward. 😊

Smiles from Iowa,

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Al was used to revise and proofread some of the text in this newsletter. It was also used to generate possibilities for section titles.