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Definition: Any item, piece of equipment, or product system that is used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of a child with a disability

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Definition: Effective instruction that is responsive to learning preferences, interests, and readiness of the learner

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Choice Boards: Students pick tasks from a menu to practice a skill or complete a project.

Tiered Materials: Everyone learns the same main topic, but the reading materials (articles, books) are at different levels of difficulty.

Flexible Assessment: Students choose how to show they know the material (e.g., write a report, make a video, or speak to the class).

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This module discusses the importance of differentiating three aspects of instruction: content, process (instructional methods), and product (assessment). It explores the student traits-readiness level, interest, and learning preferences-that influence learning (est. completion time: 3 hours).

Work through the sections of this module in the order presented in the STAR graphic above.

Related to this module

Copyright 2022 Vanderbilt University. All rights reserved.

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Differentiated Instruction: Maximizing the Learning of All Students

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This module discusses the importance of differentiating three aspects of instruction: content, process (instructional methods), and product (assessment). It explores the student traits-readiness level, interest, and learning preferences-that influence learning (est. completion time: 3 hours). Work through the sections of this module in the order presented in the STAR graphic above.

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Audiobooks

Text-to-Speech tools

Magnifying Glass

Closed-Captioning

Braille Notetakers/Text

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https://www.penn-mar.org/assistive-technology/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=6450080610&gbraid=0AAAAADHsTEw3t-C3em5BYLVoLv-F1za7t&gclid=CjwKCAjwu9fHBhAWEiwAzGRC_3NNnySh67JLX3Ynk1LeOwoskIZbTRQx1Z-1Z92iAhmdFvd_BzzOORoC4o8QAvD_BwE

https://enablingdevices.com/blog/assistive-technology-in-the-classroom/?srsltid=AfmBOoqXO80XgT0Kbj6AbX5eMA710LlIb3njZ8_I1AtFbppifYzgqLcy

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Assistive Technology can help people with disabilities more easily communicate, navigate, and participate in their communities.

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https://www.understood.org/en/articles/differentiated-instruction-what-you-need-to-know

https://wegrowteachers.com/5-ways-to-differentiate-instruction/

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At a glance

Differentiated instruction is a teaching approach that tailors instruction to students' different learning needs.

It lets students show what they know in different ways.

It doesn't replace the goals in a child's IEP or 504 plan.

Differentiated instruction is a teaching approach that tailors instruction to all students' learning needs. All the students have the same learning goal. But the instruction varies based on students' interests, preferences, strengths, and struggles.

Instead of teaching the whole group in one way (like a lecture), a teacher uses a bunch of different methods. This can include teaching students in small groups or in one-on-one sessions.

Students have "multiple options for taking in information, making sense of ideas, and expressing what they learn," says Carol Ann Tomlinson, an educator who has done innovative work in this area.

According to Tomlinson, there are four areas where teachers can differentiate instruction:

1. Content: Figuring out what a student needs to learn and which resources will help

2. Process: Activities that help students make sense of what they learn

3. Projects: Ways for students to "show what they know"

4. Learning environment: How the classroom "feels" and how the class works together

This approach works well with the response to intervention (RTI) process used in some schools. The goal of RTI is to address learning struggles early. Students get extra support before they fall behind their peers.

About the author

About the author

Geri Coleman Tucker is a freelance writer and editor and a former deputy managing editor for

Reviewed by

Reviewed by

Kylah Torre is an instructor in the department of special education at Hunter College.

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Differentiated instruction is a teaching approach that tailors instruction to all students' learning needs. Read about how differentiated instruction works.

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Text-to-speech options for students that struggle reading

Allowing all students to access the classwork and lecture

Using audio books or braille readers for students with vision deficits

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Small group instruction is split up using tiered/differentiated work

Using a powerpoint vs. an instructional video

Making sure all students are satisfied with HOW they're learning in school