Leading and Managing a Differentiated Classroom
(Grades 6-12) / Flex Course
PDI Course Number: 135T02 / UCSD Course Number: EDUC42649
Course Description
Do you find yourself wondering what it takes to create a classroom where diverse learners feel engaged, supported, and capable of success? This online course for teachers takes a deep dive into a variety of practical strategies to help middle and high school teachers meet the diverse needs of today’s learners through the powerful framework of differentiation. This course explores the four key areas of differentiation — by content, process, product, and learning environment — and provides concrete examples for applying them in secondary classrooms. Teachers will learn how to adapt curriculum materials, design flexible learning activities, offer multiple ways for students to demonstrate understanding, and create supportive environments that honor individual differences. Teachers will explore topics such as tiering, implementing choice, using rubrics, and digital differentiation. Finally, teachers will thoroughly examine several real-world examples of how each of the four types of differentiation can be applied at the middle and high school levels in each of the major content areas (ELA/reading, science and math, and history and social science.). By the end of this continuing education course, teachers will have a solid understanding of the necessary differentiation tools needed to foster engagement, equity, and academic growth for all students and intentionally design lessons that balance rigor with accessibility, ensuring that every learner has the opportunity to thrive. This online professional development course is worth 3 ⅓ semester units/5 quarter units (50 hours of training) from University of California San Diego (UCSD) Division of Extended Studies. For detailed information on receiving university credit for your PDI professional development course, visit our credit page.
Need help? Allison Wynne, PDI Program Coordinator, is ready to assist.
This course is worth 3 ⅓ semester units or 5 quarter units of graduate-level credit from UCSD.
You have up to one year 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
UCSD Course Number: EDUC42649
Unit One
- An Introduction to Differentiated Instruction
- The Role of the Teacher in Differentiated Instruction
- The Role of Essential Learning Targets in Differentiated Instruction
- Assignment #1: Write an autobiography
- Test #1
Unit Two
- Strategies to Differentiate by Content
- Differentiating Content within the Content Areas
- Digital Differentiation
- Assignment #2: Article reflection
- Test #2
Unit Three
- Strategies to Differentiate by Process
- Incorporating Multiple Learning Modalities
- Tiering by Process and Collaboration
- Assignment #3: Share your expertise
- Test #3
Unit Four
- Strategies to Differentiate by Product
- Implementing Choice in Products
- Using Rubrics to Differentiate by Product
- Test #4
Unit Five
- Strategies to Differentiate by Learning Environment
- Integrating a Differentiation Mindset for All
- Incorporating SEL into Differentiation and Setting Goals
- Test #5
Unit Six
- Real-World Examples: ELA and Reading
- Real-World Examples: Science and Math
- Real-World Examples: History and Social Science
- Assignment #4: Design two differentiated lesson plans
- Assignment #5: Course Reflection
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