The "average learner" is a fiction and poorly served by one-size-fits-all approaches. Whether you're tailoring a due date for a single student, assigning specific tasks to a small group, or spinning up a personalized module for every learner in a cohort, there's a workflow for it.
This article is your map. It explains the ways to differentiate in Headrush, when to reach for each one, and where to learn more.
Overview
What we mean by "differentiation"
Differentiation is the practice of adjusting what learners do, how they do it, when it's due, or how it's assessed—so the learning experience fits the learner. In Headrush, differentiation isn't a single button; it's a set of design choices you make when building Modules and Tasks.
The right approach depends on two questions:
How much should vary between learners?
A different due date is a small change. A whole different set of tasks or approach is something different.Where does the variation belong?
In the evidence learners produce? In which tasks they see? In the details of a shared task? Or in the structure of the module itself?
The sections below move from the lightest-touch approach to the most granular.
The four ways to differentiate
Differentiate through Evidence — Design open-ended Tasks where each learner demonstrates mastery in their own way.
Assign specific Tasks to specific learners — Use one shared Task Board, but give different learners different work.
Task Variants — Keep the Task intact, but adjust details like due dates, learning targets, or rubrics for specific learners.
Differentiate the whole Module — Give each learner (or group) their own module, optionally tied together with Connected Modules.
Four Ways to Differentiate Explained
1. Differentiate through Evidence
The simplest form of differentiation happens when you don't customize tasks at all. Instead, you design Tasks that are open enough for learners to demonstrate mastery in their own way—through the Evidence they submit.
A Task like "Show what you know about the water cycle" invites a video from one learner, a diagram from another, and a written reflection from a third. The Task is shared; the differentiation lives in what each learner produces.
Reach for this when:
The learning targets are the same for everyone, but the path can vary
You want learners to exercise voice and choice
The class size is large and per-student customization isn't practical
Learn more: Task Evidence Workflow, Task Actions, How to Assess Tasks
2. Assign Tasks to specific learners
When learners on the same module need different tasks—not different versions of the same task, but different work entirely—you can assign tasks individually. Build the full set of tasks on one Task Board, and assign each one only to the learners who should see it.
Reach for this when:
A subset of learners needs scaffolded or extension work
Group projects mean different teams have different responsibilities
You want one shared module space, but with different "lanes" inside it
Learn more: Task Boards, Assign Tasks to Learners
3. Task Variants
Sometimes the right Task already exists—you just need to tweak it for one or two learners. Maybe one learner needs an extended due date, or a different set of learning targets aligned to their IEP, or a slightly different version of the rubric.
Create Variants of tasks for learners: adjust details like due dates, learning targets, or rubric criteria for specific learners. Manage variants in one place. Headrush groups Variants with tasks, so status can be tracked in one place. Learners see their specific Variants.
Reach for this when:
The Task itself works for everyone, but the details (due date, targets, rubric) need to vary
You want a shared experience with small, learner-specific adjustments
You're accommodating IEPs, 504s, or pacing differences without redesigning the work
Learn more: Task Variants
4. Differentiate the whole Module
When the variation is large enough that it doesn't fit inside a single module, give each learner (or group) their own. There are a few ways to do this:
Copy the module per learner or group. Use Copy Tasks and Columns or copy the entire module to spin up individualized versions.
Have learners create their own modules. Especially useful for Personal Learning Plans or Student-Led Projects.
Tie everything together with Connected Modules. Keep individualized modules visible from a shared "home" module so you can see learner activity across all of them in one place. The Evidence View on Connected Modules summarizes each learner's status without leaving the Task Board.
Reach for this when:
Each learner's path is genuinely distinct (independent projects, internships, capstones)
You want learners to own the structure of their own work
You're managing many parallel projects but still need a shared overview
Choosing the right approach {#choosing}
Use this quick guide to find your starting point:
If you want to... | Try... |
Let learners choose how to demonstrate learning | Differentiate through Evidence |
Give different learners different work in the same module | Assign Tasks individually |
Keep a shared Task but adjust due dates, targets, or rubrics per learner | Create a Task Variant |
Give each learner their own learning path or project | Differentiate the whole Module |
💡When in doubt, reach for the lightest-touch approach that meets the need. Open-ended Evidence is easier to manage than fifteen module copies—and often produces richer learning.
Combining approaches
These approaches aren't mutually exclusive. A well-designed module often uses several at once:
A Seminar module with shared Tasks, open-ended Evidence, and a few varied due dates for learners who need pacing accommodations
A Personal Learning Plan that's a copied module per learner, with Connected Modules linking each learner's PLP back to a cohort dashboard
A Project module where some Tasks are assigned to specific groups, others are varied per learner, and the final Evidence is fully open-ended
The right mix depends on your learners, your goals, and how much management overhead you want to take on. Start simple, and add differentiation where it's earning its keep.