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Differentiate one task three ways with AI

Take one worksheet or task and get support, core and extension versions in minutes, all aimed at the same learning goal.

6 min read · Updated 10 October 2026 · Tool: ChatGPT, Claude or Gemini

How do you differentiate a lesson with AI?

Start with a task you already use, write the learning goal in one sentence (add the Australian Curriculum code if you use it), describe what your support and extension groups need, and ask the AI for support, core and extension versions aimed at the same goal. Check any maths or science answers yourself before printing.

Differentiating every task by hand is the job that never quite gets done. AI is very good at it, as long as you tell it the learning goal and what each group actually needs. Start from a task you already use, not from scratch.

Keep it about the task, not the studentDescribe groups by what they need (for example 'needs sentence starters' or 'ready for open-ended problems'), not by naming students or listing diagnoses. Learning-support plans stay in your school systems, not in an AI chat.

How to do it

  1. Pick one task you already use and copy its text, or type out the questions.
  2. Write the learning goal in one sentence. If you use the Australian Curriculum, add the content description code so the AI keeps the focus.
  3. Describe what your support and extension groups need in a line each, then paste everything into the prompt below.
  4. Check the answers yourself. AI can make maths and science errors, so work through any calculations before you print.
  5. Ask for tweaks in plain language, like 'make the support version shorter' or 'add a worked example to question 1'.

The prompt

I'm a [Year level] [subject] teacher. Differentiate the task below into three versions that all target the same learning goal.

Learning goal: [one sentence, plus curriculum code if you have it]

Original task:
[paste the task or questions]
🔒 The rest of this prompt is in the Teacher & Tutor AI Prompt Pack

The full version adds:

  • The support, core and extension briefs, ready to fill in
  • Rules that keep every version on the same learning goal
  • Same-look formatting so no version looks 'easier', plus an answer key
Unlock all 30 prompts for $19 AUDInstant PDF download

Tips

  • Ask for a short 'exit ticket' question that works for all three groups, so you can check the same goal at the end.
  • For EAL/D students, add 'include a simple word bank with the key vocabulary' to the support version.
  • Save the prompt with your class's group descriptions filled in. Next time, you only paste the new task.

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