Generative AI Prompts for DI and UDL
The goal of Differentiated Instruction (DI) is to modify and adjust the content, instructional process, and the resulting learning artifact that each student needs to learn.
Prompt generation and curating the prompts with the most effective rendering has replaced or at least curtailed teachers’ previous preparation practice of bookmarking weblinks. The efficiency and adaptive characteristics of Generative AI can extend to Differentiated Instruction (DI) and Universal Design for Learning (UDL). One important strategy for teachers is to apply specific prompts for AI.
According to Nievas, an [AI] prompt such as: “‘What are three different [or differentiated] approaches to teaching the central idea of a text’ yielded research-supported options such as, graphic organizers, visual representations, guided reading, and close reading, as well as a description of those strategies’” (2023).
Image Source: https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/artificial-intelligence/what-is-an-ai-prompt/
- “Create a choice board for a lesson on [topic], offering options for different learning styles and skill levels.”
- “Generate a list of tiered activities for [grade level] students on [topic], catering to varying levels of understanding.”
- “Develop a personalized learning plan for a student with [specific learning need] in [subject].”
- “Provide examples of how to modify a lesson on [topic] for students with [specific disability] or who are English Language Learners.”
- “Suggest ways to incorporate student interests into a lesson on [topic].”
- “Generate a list of resources for supporting students with social-emotional needs in a lesson on [topic].”
For Universal Design for Learning (UDL):
- “Rewrite the learning objectives for this lesson in student-friendly language.”
- “Develop multiple means of representation for this lesson, including visual aids, audio recordings, and hands-on activities.”
- “Suggest ways to provide multiple means of action and expression in this lesson, such as through written work, oral presentations, or digital projects.”
- “Create a rubric for assessing student work that is clear, concise, and aligned with UDL principles.”
- “Suggest ways to incorporate technology into this lesson to support diverse learners.”
- “Generate a list of assistive technology tools that can support students with specific needs in this lesson.”
References
Nieves, K. (2023). 5 Ways to Use AI Tools to Meet Students’ Needs. Edutopia. https://www.edutopia.org/article/using-ai-tools-differentiated-instruction/
Archived Link: https://web.archive.org/web/20250725213652/https://www.edutopia.org/article/using-ai-tools-differentiated-instruction/
Teague, H. (2025).10-Rep Learning: Generative AI Prompts for DI and UDL. Edublogs. https://4oops.edublogs.org/2025/07/23/ai-prompts4diandudl/
