One of my favorite ways to incorporate choice and differentiate is to use learning menus. One easy way to dip your toes into the learning menu water is a Tic-Tac-Toe menu. A Tic-Tac-Toe can be used for anything from short activities, to bigger, unit projects. Below is an example of an iPad Tic-Tac-Toe menu that allows teachers to spend some time digging deeper into their content area iOS apps.
Another menu that I have developed and used with the Digital Fluency Academy is differentiated based on self-assessment results: entry level, adaptation level, infusion level, and transformation level. Based on their level, participants choose their own way of exploring and learning more about communication and collaboration tools. This menu does literally resemble that of a restaurant, and participants work their way through the three courses of the meal. (Dessert is required!)
The feedback from participants on these types of choice activities are always very positive. Teachers really appreciate the fact that this activity doesn’t teach to the middle, doesn’t involve “sit and get,” and allows them to work at their own pace guided by their own interests and needs. If we want teachers to understand what student ownership of learning actually looks like, we have to model it in professional development.
Next on my list: embedding Genius Hour into professional development for teachers!