Carol Ann Tomlinson Gives an Updated Look at Differentiated Instruction in ASCD's New DVD Series

Alexandria, Va. ASCD has released a pair of professional development DVDs that offers teachers guidance on what, how, and why to differentiate in their classrooms. In these DVDs, The Differentiated Classroom: Responding to the Needs of Elementary Learners and The Differentiated Classroom: Responding to the Needs of Secondary Learners, Carol Ann Tomlinson lays the groundwork for bringing differentiated instruction into the classroom to refine the work teachers already do. Through Tomlinson’s interviews and interactions with teachers, these videos demonstrate practical, real-world examples from elementary and high school classrooms.

“When I wrote the second edition of The Differentiated Classroom, I had the opportunity to reflect on the many changes in education over the past 15 years and develop new ways to make differentiated instruction successful in today’s schools,” said Tomlinson. “I hope that teachers will see the real-life classroom examples in these videos and feel encouraged to try the techniques and strategies with their own students.”

Each DVD will help teachers learn how to divide their time, resources, and efforts to effectively instruct students of various backgrounds, interests, and readiness and skill levels. Each also includes bonus content on how a differentiated classroom makes it easier to implement the Common Core State Standards. Take a look at the videos below for a sneak peek at these two DVDs.

  1. The Differentiated Classroom: Responding to the Needs of Elementary Learners―An elementary classroom teacher works with his students on a growth mindset, and Tomlinson describes its importance in this excerpt.
  2. The Differentiated Classroom: Responding to the Needs of Secondary Learners―A secondary classroom teacher talks to her students about the “glows and grows” from a small-group discussion in this excerpt.

The DVDs, which are meant for use in professional learning communities and schools, can be purchased as a set or individually.

For further guidance on implementing differentiated instruction, teachers can read The Differentiated Classroom: Responding to the Needs of All Learners, 2nd Edition. In this book, Tomlinson builds on her writing, instruction, and observations over the last 15 years to update her concepts and strategies for a 21st century learning environment.

Learn more about Carol Ann Tomlinson and her work by visiting ascd.org/carolanntomlinson.

Featured

  • Colorado School District Breaks Ground on Unified PK–12 Campus

    The Haxtun School District No. Re-2J in Haxtun, Colo., recently announced that ground has been broken on a renovation/addition project that will unite its two schools, Haxtun Elementary and Haxtun Jr/Sr High School, according to a news release.

  • GeoCam and UCLA: Modernizing Campus Accessibility Mapping

    In early 2025, UCLA partnered with GeoCam to capture and modernize its pedestrian infrastructure data. The goal was ambitious but clear: to produce a high-accuracy, imagery-backed digital map of every sidewalk, pathway, ramp, and ADA-related feature on UCLA’s 419-acre campus.

  • Tennessee Middle School Completes Health, Life Safety Renovations

    The Giles County Board of Education in Pulaski, Tenn., recently announced that a series of renovation projects has been completed at Bridgeforth Middle School, according to a news release. The district partnered with Wold Architects & Engineers and Brindley Construction to modernize building systems at one of the district’s oldest schools.

  • Wold Architects & Engineers Announces Acquisition of JJCA

    Wold Architects & Engineers, based in Minneapolis, Minn., recently announced that it has acquired JJCA, an architecture firm based in Nashville, Tenn., according to a press release. JJCA specializes in healthcare and education design; the partnership allows both firms to expand their presence across the country while building on existing strengths.