In my last post, I talked about how important it is to front-load your AI tool with high quality text. Simply rewriting the text for a different reading level is a simple matter of pasting the text into your favorite AI chatbot, whether it’s Google Bard, Bing, ChatGPT, or another tool, and asking it to rewrite the text at a different reading level. You can specify a word count if you would like to shorten it up.
I like to add quotes around the text I want rewritten, just to set it apart from the request:
Can you rewrite this article for me at a 4th grade reading level? It should be around 250 words. “[Paste body of article here].”
However, there are even more things you can ask your chatbot to do with your block of text.
- Can you summarize the article using bullet points?
- Can you suggest learning objectives for 10th grade students reading this article?
- Describe the relationship between [idea 1] and [idea 2] in the following text.
- Generate 5 open-ended questions for a class discussion based on this article.
- Suggest 3 creative writing prompts based on this text.
- What search terms could a student use to find out more about this topic?
Now that you have some ideas about all the different ways AI can enhance and supplement your text, you could try an all-in-one tool like Diffit, which will rewrite your text, summarize, write comprehension questions, and generate discussion or writing prompts all at once. (Remember that the field of AI changes so rapidly that tools will come and go, or will be free one day and subscription-only the next! You can always search for “tools like [app]” when you need a new one!)! You can always search for “tools like [app]” when you need a new one!)
Tips for creating effective differentiated learning
Once you have quality texts at the reading levels that meet your students’ needs, here are some additional tips for ensuring quality differentiated learning:
- Consider the individual needs and interests of your students.
- Provide students with choices about how they want to learn.
- Use a variety of teaching methods and materials.
- Monitor student progress and adjust your instruction accordingly.
Have you tried using AI to create differentiated materials for students? Let us know what worked and what didn’t in the comments; we’d love to hear what you’re doing!
Want to dive deeper into using quality texts with AI? Join me at the NCCE conference in Seattle February 14th-16th. Registration is open now!
Erin Downey is an experienced teacher, librarian, educational trainer, and presenter with almost 20 years of experience in public education. They are currently the consulting librarian for the Boise School District, where they support school librarians, library assistants, teachers, and school staff in getting the most out of their library, literacy, and technology programs. Throughout their career, they have discovered a passion for coaching educators and administrators through their next big challenge. Erin’s librarian heart loves taking chaos and confusion and helping plot a simple, straightforward course towards their immediate and long-term goals in a way that is accessible, measurable, and sustainable. They have a deep commitment to creating top-notch educational experiences for educators and learning professionals by implementing the same proven strategies that we know transform learning for our students.
When they’re not librarianing, they’re taking every opportunity for adventure. Their current passions are swimming, whitewater rafting, aerial silks, and flying trapeze!