Tools for Differentiation with AI

Google Gemini is Google’s generative AI assistant. It can help teachers brainstorm ideas, draft materials, summarize information, create outlines, and revise text for different instructional purposes. Because Gemini connects with Google tools, it can be especially useful for educators who already use Google Workspace, including Docs, Slides, Gmail, Drive, and Classroom.

For differentiation, Gemini works well as a flexible planning partner. Teachers can use it to adapt materials, create scaffolds, generate examples, design student choice options, and brainstorm ways to support learners with different readiness levels, interests, and learning needs. Gemini can also help teachers move from a blank page to a strong starting point more quickly, while still leaving the final decisions in the teacher’s hands.

Gemini is available through personal Google accounts, work or school accounts, and Google Workspace for Education, but access to specific features depends on the account type, district settings, and plan. Teachers can go to gemini.google.com to use Gemini directly. When available, Gemini can also appear inside Google Workspace tools, such as Docs, Gmail, Slides, Drive, and Classroom. Check Google’s site or your school district’s guidance for the most current details on access, privacy, features, and pricing.

How to Use Google Gemini for Differentiation

Good for:

• Adapting lesson materials to different reading levels while keeping the same learning goal

• Creating scaffolded directions, sentence starters, vocabulary supports, or guided questions

• Generating extension tasks for students who are ready for more challenge

• Designing differentiated activities aligned to the same standard or objective

• Creating student choice options for written, visual, oral, or hands-on products

• Drafting family communication in clear language or in multiple languages Brainstorming formative assessment questions, reteaching ideas, or quick checks for understanding

How to use it:

Gemini works well with the prompting structure from the book: Role, Context, Task, Format. This helps teachers give Gemini enough direction to produce something useful.

For example:

“Act as a fifth-grade reading teacher. My students are reading an informational text about ecosystems, and they are working at different reading levels. Create three versions of the same passage: one simplified, one on grade level, and one extended for students ready for a challenge. Present the results in a table and keep the same essential content in all three versions.”

Teachers can also use Gemini directly inside Google Workspace when the feature is available. For example, a teacher might open a passage in Google Docs and ask Gemini to simplify the language, create guiding questions, or generate vocabulary support. In Slides, Gemini can help outline a presentation, create discussion prompts, or suggest extension activities. In Gmail, it can help draft clear messages to families or colleagues.

As with any AI tool, Gemini’s output should be treated as a starting point. Teachers should review the content for accuracy, bias, accessibility, privacy, and rigor before using it with students. Do not enter student names, IEP details, behavior notes, grades, or other personally identifiable information. Gemini can support the work, but teacher empathy, professional judgment, and knowledge of students should guide the final product.

Go to Google Gemini

Gemini Gems are customized versions of Google Gemini that teachers can create for specific tasks. Instead of writing the same detailed prompt over and over, teachers can build a Gem with saved instructions for a recurring need, such as differentiating a lesson, creating scaffolds, generating formative assessment questions, or checking a task for rigor. For teachers, this means Gems can serve as reusable planning partners that support consistency while still keeping the teacher in control of the final decisions.

Gems are especially useful for teachers who already use Gemini and want a faster way to apply the same differentiation process across lessons, units, or student needs. Access and features may vary depending on the type of Gemini account being used. Check the tool’s site for the most current details on features and availability.

To access Gems, go to gemini.google.com, open the left-side menu, and select Explore Gems. From there, teachers can use existing Gems or create a new one by selecting New Gem. Google also notes that Gems created in the Gemini web app can appear in the Gemini mobile app and in the Gemini side panel in supported Google Workspace tools, depending on account access and availability.

How to Use Gemini Gems for Differentiation

Good for:

• Creating a reusable Differentiation Planning Gem that helps adjust content, process, product, or learning environment

• Building a Rigor Check Gem that reviews AI output to make sure the learning goal remains strong

• Designing a Scaffold Support Gem for students who need step-by-step directions, sentence starters, vocabulary support, or alternate formats

• Creating a Formative Assessment Gem that generates quick checks for understanding, reteaching prompts, or extension questions

How to use it:

Gemini Gems work best when you create clear instructions for a repeated teaching task. Using the prompting structure from the book, you can build a Gem by giving it a role, context, task, and preferred format. For example, you might create a Differentiation Planning Gem that says: Act as an instructional coach. Help me adapt lessons for students with different readiness levels while keeping the same learning goal and maintaining rigor. Provide options for content, process, product, and learning environment.

Once the Gem is created, teachers can return to it whenever they need that type of support. The Gem provides a consistent starting point, and the teacher reviews, revises, and adapts the output based on student needs, classroom context, and professional judgment.

As with any AI tool, Gemini Gems should be created and used with care. Because Gems save instructions for repeated use, make sure the directions you build into a Gem do not ask teachers to enter student names, confidential records, IEP details, grades, or behavior notes. Review the output for accuracy, bias, accessibility, privacy, and rigor each time it is used. A Gem can make repeated differentiation tasks easier, but the teacher still decides whether the support is appropriate for the students and the learning goal.

Go to Gemini

NotebookLM is an AI-powered tool from Google that helps teachers work with the instructional materials they already use. Teachers can upload sources such as articles, PDFs, Google Docs, Slides, websites, standards, notes, and unit resources, then ask NotebookLM to summarize, organize, explain, or transform that content into planning supports.

For differentiation, NotebookLM is especially helpful because it works from the sources the teacher provides. This helps keep the output aligned to the actual curriculum, readings, and lesson materials instead of generating ideas disconnected from the unit. Teachers can use it to create summaries, vocabulary supports, guiding questions, study materials, and review resources for students with different readiness levels and learning needs.

NotebookLM can also generate Audio Overviews that sound like podcast conversations, Video Overviews, slide decks, mind maps, reports such as briefing documents and study guides, blog posts, proposals, flashcards, quizzes, infographics, and data tables. Teachers can also type directly into the chat to ask questions, request explanations, compare sources, or create new materials based on the uploaded content.

Because NotebookLM is grounded in the sources added to the notebook, it is a strong tool for teachers who want AI support that stays close to trusted materials. It can also be used directly with students when appropriate and allowed by the school or district, but its main purpose here is to help teachers adapt content more efficiently while keeping rigor, accessibility, and teacher judgment at the center.

How to Use NotebookLM for Differentiation

Good for:

• Creating summaries, study guides, and briefing documents from classroom materials

• Turning readings or unit resources into vocabulary supports, guiding questions, and review materials

• Generating Audio Overviews, Video Overviews, slide decks, mind maps, infographics, and data tables from teacher-provided sources

• Creating flashcards and quizzes aligned to uploaded content

• Organizing key ideas across multiple sources so teachers can plan more targeted supports

• Developing differentiated materials while keeping the learning connected to the original source

How to use it:

Start by creating a notebook and uploading the materials you want to use, such as a reading passage, article, slide deck, lesson plan, standards document, or set of notes. Once the sources are added, ask NotebookLM to help you transform those materials into supports for instruction.

For example:

Act as a reading specialist. Using only the sources in this notebook, create three teacher planning supports for this article: a short summary, a vocabulary list with student-friendly definitions, and five comprehension questions at different levels of difficulty. Present the response in a table.

Teachers can also ask follow-up questions in the chat, such as:

• What are the most important ideas students need to understand from these sources?

• What vocabulary might students struggle with?

• Create a study guide and a short quiz based only on the uploaded materials.

• Create a mind map that shows how the main ideas connect.

• Create a briefing document I can use to plan a differentiated lesson.

As with any AI tool, NotebookLM should be treated as a planning partner, not the final decision-maker. Teachers should review all output for accuracy, accessibility, bias, and rigor. The tool can organize and transform content quickly, but the teacher decides what fits the lesson, the students, and the learning goal.

Go to NotebookLM

ChatGPT is a large language model, or LLM, that can respond to prompts by generating text, ideas, explanations, examples, and planning support. In simple terms, it works like a conversation with an AI planning partner. Teachers can ask for help rewording content, creating practice activities, adapting materials, brainstorming examples, or developing instructional supports.

For differentiation, ChatGPT can be especially helpful because it gives teachers a starting point. It can quickly generate multiple versions of a text, suggest scaffolds, create extension tasks, or reframe explanations for different readiness levels. The teacher still makes the final decisions. ChatGPT provides options, but teacher empathy, professional judgment, and knowledge of students determine what should be used, revised, or set aside.

ChatGPT offers free and paid plans, with features and access levels that may change over time. Check the tool’s site for the most current details on features and pricing. A link to the site is provided below. OpenAI currently lists free and paid ChatGPT plans, including ChatGPT Plus, on its official pricing pages.

How to Use ChatGPT for Differentiation

Good for:

• Creating multiple versions of the same text so students can access shared content at an appropriate level of challenge

• Generating targeted practice activities for different skills, readiness levels, or misconceptions

• Creating extension tasks, enrichment questions, and challenge activities for students who are ready to go deeper

• Reframing explanations into outlines, examples, dialogues, step-by-step guides, or student-friendly directions

• Drafting choice boards, rubrics, sentence starters, discussion questions, and scaffolded supports

How to use it:

ChatGPT works well with the prompting structure introduced in Differentiation With AI: Role, Context, Task, and Format. This helps guide the tool toward a response that is more specific and useful.

A simple prompt might look like this:

Act as a [role]. I am teaching [content or skill] to [grade level or student group]. Create [what you need] to support [student need]. Present it as [format].

For example, a teacher might ask ChatGPT to create three versions of a reading passage, generate practice questions at different levels, design alternate product options, or suggest a quick reteaching activity. After reviewing the response, the teacher should revise it for accuracy, rigor, accessibility, and alignment to student needs.

ChatGPT is most useful when treated as a planning partner, not a final answer. Use it to save time, spark ideas, and expand your options while keeping empathy and teacher judgment at the center.

As with any AI tool, ChatGPT should be treated as a planning partner, not the final authority. Review all output for accuracy, bias, accessibility, privacy, and rigor before using it with students. Avoid entering student names, IEP details, grades, behavior notes, or other personally identifiable information. ChatGPT can generate ideas quickly, but teacher judgment determines what fits the lesson, the students, and the learning goal.

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MagicSchool.ai is an AI platform built specifically for schools and educators. Instead of starting with a blank prompt box, teachers can choose from ready-made tools and templates for common instructional tasks, such as lesson planning, assessment creation, rubric design, text rewriting, writing feedback, and differentiated supports.

For differentiation, MagicSchool.ai is helpful because it organizes AI support around the kinds of tasks teachers already do. Teachers can use it to adjust materials, create scaffolds, generate questions at different levels, design enrichment tasks, and develop supports such as sentence starters, graphic organizers, simplified directions, and student-friendly explanations. This makes it a strong option for teachers who want AI support but prefer a more guided, template-based experience.

MagicSchool.ai offers free access for teachers, along with school and district plans that may include additional features. Check the tool’s site and your district’s guidance for the most current information on access, privacy, features, and pricing.

How to Use MagicSchool.ai for Differentiation

Good for:

• Generating differentiated lesson plans and activities with built-in scaffolds

• Adapting text, questions, or assessments for different readiness levels

• Creating enrichment tasks for students who are ready for more challenge

• Producing instructional supports such as sentence starters, graphic organizers, checklists, and simplified directions

• Creating rubrics, quizzes, worksheets, and writing feedback supports

• Supporting IEP-related planning or accommodations when appropriate and allowed by school or district policy

How to use it:

MagicSchool.ai works through a menu of teacher tools. Start by selecting the tool that matches your need, such as lesson planning, text rewriting, rubric creation, quiz generation, or differentiated activities. Then enter the grade level, content, learning goal, and any student needs or supports you want the tool to consider.

For example, a teacher might use MagicSchool.ai to rewrite a reading passage at different levels, create scaffolded questions, design extension activities, or generate a rubric that works across several product options. The tool provides a starting point, and the teacher reviews and revises the output to make sure it fits the students, the standard, and the intended level of rigor.

MagicSchool.ai can save time because the templates guide much of the prompting process. The teacher still makes the instructional decisions. As with any AI tool, review the output for accuracy, accessibility, bias, privacy, and rigor before using it with students.

As with any AI tool, MagicSchool.ai should be used as a starting point for teacher planning. Its templates can save time, but the output still needs to be reviewed for accuracy, bias, accessibility, privacy, and rigor. Teachers should avoid entering confidential student information and should check that generated materials align with standards, student needs, and district guidance. MagicSchool.ai can help produce supports quickly, but teacher judgment determines how those supports should be adapted and used.

Go to MagicSchool.ai

Diffit is an AI tool designed to help teachers create and adapt instructional materials for different learners. Teachers can enter a topic, standard, passage, or source text, and Diffit generates classroom-ready resources such as leveled readings, summaries, vocabulary support, comprehension questions, and student activities.

For differentiation, Diffit is especially useful when teachers need to make grade-level content more accessible without starting from scratch. It can help create multiple entry points into the same lesson by adjusting text complexity, adding supports for struggling readers, and generating questions or activities that match different readiness levels. This makes it a strong tool for supporting content differentiation, literacy development, and access to shared classroom materials.

Diffit may offer free and paid options, with features and access changing over time. Check the tool’s site for the most current details on features and pricing. A link to the site is provided below.

How to Use Diffit for Differentiation

Good for:

• Adjusting texts to different reading levels while keeping students connected to the same topic or standard

• Creating summaries, vocabulary supports, and comprehension questions from a passage or topic

• Supporting students who need scaffolds before engaging with grade-level content

• Generating quick activities for small groups, reteaching, or independent practice

• Creating extension questions or deeper thinking tasks for students who are ready for more challenge

How to use it:

Diffit works through a simple teacher-friendly interface. Start by entering a topic, standard, passage, or source text. Then select the grade level or reading level you want the tool to use. Diffit will generate a set of resources that may include an adapted passage, summary, vocabulary list, comprehension questions, and student activities.

For example, a teacher might paste in a science passage and ask Diffit to create a version for students who need additional reading support. The teacher can then use the vocabulary list, guiding questions, and summary to help students access the same essential content as the rest of the class.

Diffit can save time by quickly producing differentiated materials, but the teacher should still review and revise the output. Check that the adapted text keeps the learning goal intact, the questions are accurate, and the level of support matches what students actually need. Diffit can help create the materials, but teacher judgment determines how they should be used.

As with any AI tool, Diffit can help teachers create differentiated materials quickly, but the teacher should review the output before using it with students. Check that the adapted reading keeps the essential content intact, that the questions are accurate, and that the level of support does not lower expectations. Avoid entering student names, confidential records, or other personally identifiable information. Diffit can make content more accessible, but teacher judgment ensures the final materials remain accurate, rigorous, and appropriate for the students.

Go to Diffit

Canva for Education is a visual design platform that helps teachers create classroom materials, presentations, posters, infographics, videos, worksheets, and student-facing resources. It includes ready-made education templates and design tools that make it easier to turn instructional ideas into clear, visually engaging materials.

For differentiation, Canva is especially useful when teachers want to offer students multiple ways to access information or show what they know. Teachers can create visual supports, choice boards, graphic organizers, anchor charts, scaffolded directions, project templates, and presentation options that support different readiness levels, interests, and learning preferences. Canva can also help teachers design product options so students can demonstrate mastery through writing, visuals, presentations, videos, or other creative formats while still working toward the same learning goal.

Canva for Education is available for eligible K-12 teachers and students, with access depending on account type, school eligibility, and district settings. Check Canva’s site and your district’s guidance for the most current details on features, access, privacy, and pricing.

How to Use Canva for Education for Differentiation

Good for:

• Creating choice boards that give students different ways to demonstrate learning

• Designing graphic organizers, anchor charts, visual vocabulary cards, and scaffolded directions

• Building differentiated templates for projects, presentations, posters, infographics, or videos

• Creating student-friendly rubrics, checklists, and planning guides

• Supporting students who benefit from visuals, structure, or alternate ways to show understanding

• Designing materials that make content more accessible without lowering expectations

How to use it:

Start with the learning goal and decide what kind of support or product option students need. Then use Canva to create or adapt a template that helps students access the content, organize their thinking, or demonstrate understanding.

For example, a teacher might create a choice board for a science unit where students can show understanding through an infographic, a short video, a slide presentation, or a labeled diagram. Each option can connect to the same standard and use the same rubric, while giving students different ways to communicate what they know.

Canva can also be used to make directions more accessible. A teacher might turn a long written assignment into a visual checklist, create a graphic organizer for students who need help structuring their ideas, or design vocabulary cards with images and student-friendly definitions.

As with any tool, the teacher should review the final product for accuracy, accessibility, representation, and rigor. Canva can make materials more polished and easier to use, but teacher judgment determines whether the design truly supports the learning goal and the students in the room.

Go to Canva

The tools highlighted on this page are a starting point, not the whole AI landscape. New tools continue to emerge, and existing tools change often. The goal is not to use every platform available, but to choose tools that support lesson planning, differentiation, accessibility, and teacher decision-making without replacing teacher judgment. This aligns with the purpose of TejedaEDU.com as a living companion site with curated tools, short guides, best practices, and classroom examples.

Brisk Teaching
Brisk Teaching works within tools teachers already use, including Google and Microsoft environments. It can help create materials, give feedback, adapt instruction, generate summaries, and support students with special education or English language needs. (briskteaching.com)

Eduaide.AI
Eduaide.AI supports teachers with lesson planning, assessments, graphic organizers, classroom communication, and instructional resources. It can be useful when teachers want help turning objectives, standards, or source materials into classroom-ready supports. (eduaide.ai)

SchoolAI
SchoolAI offers teacher tools for creating lesson plans, rubrics, assessments, and student learning experiences. It also includes classroom-focused AI spaces that can help teachers personalize support while monitoring student needs. (schoolai.com)

Curipod
Curipod helps teachers create interactive lessons with activities such as polls, discussion prompts, drawing activities, formative checks, and AI feedback. It may be useful for differentiation when teachers want students to engage with content through discussion, reflection, and varied response formats. (curipod.com)

Khanmigo
Khanmigo is Khan Academy’s AI support tool for education. For teachers, it can help with workflow tasks such as planning and rubric creation, while its student-facing support is designed to guide thinking rather than simply provide direct answers. (khanmigo.ai)

As with all AI tools, review the output before using it with students. Check for accuracy, bias, accessibility, privacy, and rigor. Also review your school or district guidance before entering student information or using any tool directly with students.