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Differentiating instruction is a time-tested way of thinking about meeting students' needs as they make progress toward achievement or learning targets.  Differentiation is an elegant mindset that suggests to teachers a framework that permits them to engage students while focusing on learning results, and digital technologies offer many opportunities to differentiate instruction in meaningful ways.  However, differentiating instruction takes a concerted planning effort on our parts as teachers and teacher educators

One of the major benefits of using technology in the classroom is the ability to differentiate instruction to meet the needs of every student in every lesson. Just as every student grows and develops at different rates, they learn in different ways and at different speeds. Technology makes it possible to pace lessons appropriately for each student's learning level and can be used to promote learning in the multiple intelligences. Below you will find website suggestions that address the different learning styles in your classroom with the help of technology:

Paula Kluth's site where she sends out an email tip about differentiating each day.

video examples of UDL, differentiated instruction

The A.T.TIPScast: Assistive Technology Tools In Public Schools is a podcast about using technology to help students meet their educational goals. Each episode features at least one "A.T.TIP" that can be used to differentiate and individualize the learning process.

"This textbook is the result of over a year of collaboration between several individuals. Garth Holman, the Social Studies department chair and 7th grade world history teacher envisioned this project as a way to engage students through the use of technology and help them see the "big picture" that is often lost, or ignored, in history classes. Beginning in the summer of 2006, Garth began working with a student teacher, Michael Pennington (Currently teaching at Chardon Middle School). Another member of this project was Angie White, an intervention specialist at Beachwood Middle School (now at Hilltop Elementary in Beachwood CIty Schools). Angie provided a strong knowledge of curriculum differentiation and techniques to include students of varying abilities. A project of this nature, allows students to disseminate knowledge in a digital format that is congruent to the world in which they live. Our students are digital natives and this new technological paradigm allows for the democratization of knowledge. Wiki technology and the ability to instantaneously communicate across cultures and physical boundaries means that nothing our students create is isolated. We not only want our students to learn, but understand how the puzzle pieces fit to create the world in which we live."

"What is the BC Universal Design for Learning Project? The BC UDL project is a Ministry of Education funded initiative to assist pilot school districts in implementing principles and building infrastructure for UDL. BC teachers often find it challenging to maintain high standards in education while addressing the increasingly diverse needs of learners. UDL combines some of the current best practices already used by BC educators including differentiated instruction, performance-based assessment and the use of educational technology in order to improve student learning."

"Just as a carpenter needs to locate and use the correct tool for the job, teachers need to select technology tools to assist all learners in the classroom. Many tools can also assist in providing Tier 1 differentiated instruction for all learners and Universal Design for Learning. Use this wiki to learn about Universal Design for Learning (UDL), Response to Intervention (RTI), free web tools and assistive technology (AT). Each set of "tools" might not be all encompassing. Continuing the carpenter analogy, every tool available is not necessary in order to complete a successful project. In addition some manual tools (non-technology) might be better than power tools (technology tools) for some projects. Teachers can fill their own toolbox with specialized tools to make learning more effective and efficient for all all students."

Tony Vincent's Learning in Hand - Blog - "rubric to evaluate the quality and effectiveness of an app in terms of how it may impact student achievement. His criteria include curriculum connection, authenticity, feedback, differentiation, user friendliness, and student motivation"

Why? * To increase participation and achievement for ALL students including those with significant disabilities * To position ALL students to take advantage of emerging educational technologies in inclusive learning environments. What? * The integration of interactive white boards (SMART Boards), SMART Solutions (e.g., SMART Table, SMART Document Camera, SMART Sync) and other mainstream technology (IPADS/IPODS, Nintendo DSi) with assistive technology for use during whole and small group instruction in all educational settings. The key is including ALL students using a Universal Design for Learning Toolkit (technology, traditional teaching methods,pedagogy) in their current educational setting to ensure meaningful academic and social participation. How? * By using SMART Boards and other mainstream technology as well as assistive technology to facilitate Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and Differentiated Instruction (DI) so that learning environments, opportunities and activities are accessible by diverse groups of learners. Understanding how the Participation Model can extend UDL and DI so that the learning and participation of students with the most significant learning challenges are increased and enhanced.

Edutopia article on using the 'video game' model for planning instruction.