Differentiation

Resource
Rachel Furhman
Grand Canyon University
TEC-541: Distance Learning
Dr. Ursula
August 31, 2022
What is Differentiation?
• Differentiation is “tailoring instruction to meet individual
needs” (Tomlinson, 2019).
• Ensures that students receive the best individualized education
possible.
• Focuses on individual learning styles and levels (Weselby,
2021)
• Four ways to differentiate:
• Content
• Process
• Product
• Learning environment
What is Differentiation?
Video Resource

(Education Week, 2018)

• Students can read about the
same event but at their own
level
• Articles can include
comprehension questions
• Readers can adjust the difficulty
level
• Vocabulary website that provides differentiated learning
• Customize learning for ELL, special education, and
students with dyslexia (B., 2018)
• Appeals to a variety of learning styles
• Teachers are provided with progress reports
• Provides practice in multiple
content areas
• The program creates
personalized skill
recommendations based on
diagnostics (IXL, 2022)
• Allows for independent
practice
• Provides feedback to the
students
Differentiation Techniques for
ELL Students
• Visual aids
• Recorded Lessons
• Use of interactive games to keep
learning engaging
• Use of language apps like
Duolingo
(Schwartz, 2020)
 How to Differentiate for
Gifted Students and Early
Finishers
• Students can create and play games on
platforms like Kahoot!
• Students can use Minecraft for Education
• Students can learn to code on Tynker
• Students can complete leveled current
events assignments on Newsela
• Assign PBLs based on students’ interests
(Lynch, 2017)
Differentiation for Students with
Modifications and Accommodations

• Closed captioning
• Immersive Readers
• Speech to text
• Visual aids
• Modified assignments
Differentiation in the Online Classroom-Webinar

(Michigan Virtual, 2020)

 Current and Future Trends in Online Learning

•“
10 Online Learning Trends for 2022, According to Dr. Luke Hobson
and Professor Peter Shea”
(Cronje, 2021)
• “EdTech Trends to Look Out for in 2023” (Gupta, 2022)
 References
• B, A. (2018, June). Membean review for teachers. Common Sense Education.
https://www.commonsense.org/education/reviews/membean 
• Cronje, W. (2021, November 16). 10 online learning trends for 2022, according to Dr. Luke Hobson
and Professor Peter Shea. Eduflow. https://www.eduflow.com/blog/10-online-learning-trends-for-2022-
according-to-dr-luke-hobson-and-professor-peter-shea 
• Dooley, D. (2016, November 1). Using Newsela and readability to differentiate. The Educators Room.
https://theeducatorsroom.com/teacher-saving-web-tools-part-differentiate-reading-news-newsela-
readability/ 
• Education Week. (2018, September 11). Differentiating instruction: It's not as hard as you think
[Video}. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h7-D3gi2lL8 
• Edwards, L. (2022, May 19). What is Duolingo and how does it work? Tips & Tricks.
TechLearningMagazine. https://www.techlearning.com/how-to/what-is-duolingo-and-how-does-it-
work-tips-and-tricks 
 References
• Gupta, S. (2022, July 13). EdTech trends to look for in 2023. Magic Box.
https://www.getmagicbox.com/blog/edtech-trends-to-look-in-2023/ 
• IXL. (2022). Personalized guidance. IXL Learning.
https://www.ixl.com/membership/administrators/guidance?
partner=google&campaign=17316844499&adGroup=140552250201&gclid=CjwKCAjwx7GYBhB7Ei
wA0d8oe4ZldibTtsNPREuFNDPVIhXYvvd5GTI5B49RfFfUA5ZIAo6JcauhzxoCYEAQAvD_BwE  
• Lynch, M. (2017, August 13). 6 must have apps, tools, and resources for Gifted Children. The Tech
Edvocate. https://www.thetechedvocate.org/6-must-apps-tools-resources-gifted-children/  
• Membean. (2022). Personalized vocabulary instruction. https://alb.membean.com/ 
• Microsoft. (2022). What is Minecraft Education? Minecraft Education Edition.
https://education.minecraft.net/en-us/discover/what-is-minecraft 
• Michigan Virtual. (2020, March 30). [webinar] differentiation
 References
• P, E. (2020, December). IXL review for teachers. Common Sense Education.
https://www.commonsense.org/education/reviews/ixl 
• Schwartz, L. (2020, April 21). Helpful online resources for teaching ells. Edutopia.
https://www.edutopia.org/article/helpful-online-resources-teaching-ells 
• Stern, J. (2015, March 30). Enhancing learning through differentiated technology. Edutopia.
https://www.edutopia.org/blog/enhanced-learning-through-differentiated-technology-julie-stern 
• Tomlinson, C. A. (2019, September 25). What is differentiated instruction? Reading Rockets.
https://www.readingrockets.org/article/what-differentiated-instruction 
• Weselby, C. (2021, April 29). Differentiated instruction: Examples & classroom strategies.
ResilientEducator.com. https://resilienteducator.com/classroom-resources/examples-of-
differentiated-instruction/