Differentiated Instruction: One Size Does Not Fit All
(Grades K-6) / Flex Course
PDI Course Number: 88T02 / ACE Course Number: LE5679 / UCSD Course Number: EDUC41487
Course Description
Are you struggling with how to meet the needs of the varied ability levels of your students? This online course helps K-6 teachers analyze the various learning profiles and readiness of their students so that they can effectively develop a differentiated curriculum to meet the needs of a variety of diverse student populations. Teachers will gain a clear understanding of the needs of multilingual, special education, and academically diverse classrooms, and they will learn how to adjust their lessons to accommodate the different needs and learning preferences of their students. Different strategies and resources such as tiered instruction, teaching through multiple modalities, and universal design for learning (UDL) will be presented so that teachers can better embrace and implement the principles of differentiated instruction into their K-6 classrooms. Teachers will also explore the many facets of executive function, and they will understand how students’ executive skills can be supported through differentiation. Very specific strategies for differentiation in each content area are presented along with ways to use digital differentiation. Teachers will also be exposed to a variety of techniques for assessing their differentiated learners. The impact of social-emotional issues on the learning process is explored, as well as how differentiation works within the pedagogy of culturally responsive teaching. By the end of this continuing education course, teachers will feel more confident as they strive to effectively and equitably differentiate their lessons with a wide group of diverse students.For detailed information on receiving university credit for your PDI course, visit our credit page.
Need help? Allison Wynne, PDI Program Coordinator, is ready to assist.
"The content offered in this course was superb. It was easy to understand and very easy to implement into my lesson plans. After teaching for 14 years, I felt that this course gave me a fresh new look at teaching." - Samantha McCann
Enrollment Options
You have up to nine months from the date you are enrolled to complete a flex course.
View the online course syllabus.
Print our customized course approval form to share with your school district.
TOPICAL OUTLINE
ACE Course Number: LE5679
UCSD Course Number: EDUC41487
Unit One
- What is differentiated instruction?
- Teaching Through Multiple Modalities
- Diagnosing the Difference in Readiness
- Assignment #1: Write an autobiography
- Test #1
Unit Two
- Differentiated Instruction for Reading
- Differentiated Instruction for Math
- Differentiated Instruction for Social Studies and Science
- Digital Differentiation
- Assignment #2: Article reflection
- Test #2
Unit Three
- Special Needs Students in Inclusive Classrooms
- Gifted and Talented Students
- The Multilingual Classroom
- Assignment #3: Share your expertise
- Test #3
Unit Four
- Creating an Environment for Learning
- Managing the Differentiated Classroom
- Adjusting and Grouping Instruction
- Test #4
Unit Five
- Guidelines for Tiered Lessons
- Supporting Executive Function with Differentiation
- Universal Design for Learning
- Test #5
Unit Six
- Assessment Techniques
- Social-Emotional Learning Factors
- Differentiation within Culturally Diverse Populations
- Assignment #4: Develop two three-tiered lesson plans
- Assignment #5: Course Reflection
View PDI's Catalog of Courses
Check out a list of all PDI graduate-level online courses or sort by grade level or subject area.
Register Now!
Quick access to register for PDI's online courses using our secure system.
Learn More about PDI
Find out how to reach PDI and get answers to any questions you may have.
Access My Course
Access PDI's online learning management system to begin your course.