A simple assignment isn’t always simple. And collecting data is only the beginning.

In Episode 89: Shadow Quest Part III, Steve Martinez and Sophie Youngs continue their exploration of Shadow Quest with reflections on sessions by Stephanie Howell and Tina Nunez.

First, we unpack the hidden barriers inside everyday classroom tasks. What looks like “just write one sentence” can require working memory, spelling, handwriting, planning, and self-monitoring—all at once. Drawing on Stephanie’s session, we explore how Universal Design for Learning and executive-function supports can help educators keep the learning goal intact while offering different ways to reach it.

Then we move from removing barriers to making sense of data. Tina’s session connects Google Forms, Google Sheets, and Gemini to charts, visual comparisons, and an interactive dashboard. Steve and Sophie consider what that could mean for classroom teachers, instructional coaches, and PLCs—and why educator judgment, careful validation, and student-data privacy must remain central.

Along the way: Halloween costumes, vocabulary practice that goes beyond copying definitions, and Sophie’s contribution to The Educators AI Guide 2027, sharing a parent’s perspective on AI in school.

Listen and explore the podcast store at Underhatpod.com. Missed Shadow Quest? Register for free archive access and explore the sessions at your own pace.

This episode is sponsored by Learning Genie. Thank you to Snorkl for supporting Shadow Quest.