Introduction: One Class, Many Abilities
Every IB teacher knows the challenge — one classroom, twenty students, and twenty completely different skill levels. Some are already writing full-mark essays; others are still decoding command terms. Between Higher Level and Standard Level students, diverse learning speeds, and different confidence levels, creating a “one-size-fits-all” revision plan simply doesn’t work.
But in the IB, differentiation isn’t optional. The program’s design expects teachers to tailor learning experiences to individual needs. The problem is time — few teachers can plan multiple parallel revision tracks without burning out.
That’s why many IB educators are now turning to RevisionDojo, a platform designed to simplify differentiated revision without multiplying workload.
Why Differentiation Is So Difficult in IB Revision
Even the best teachers struggle with balancing challenge and support. Here’s why differentiation during IB revision is particularly complex:
- HL vs SL content depth: Teachers must balance overlapping topics while maintaining fairness.
- Varied prior knowledge: Students enter IB with different backgrounds and learning foundations.
- Limited class time: Deep revision and targeted feedback often get squeezed out by IA deadlines.
- Inconsistent motivation: Stronger students want harder material; weaker ones disengage if it’s too complex.
- Data overload: Tracking everyone’s progress manually becomes impossible across six subjects.
Traditional solutions — like separate worksheets or manual grouping — only add to the teacher’s workload.
Quick Start Checklist: Core Differentiation Strategies for IB Teachers
Before adopting any new tool, teachers can apply a few tried-and-true strategies to start differentiating revision effectively:
- Pre-assess understanding: Start each revision unit with a quick diagnostic quiz.
- Use tiered question sets: Provide tasks at varying difficulty levels but within the same topic.
- Group by skill, not grade: Pair students with complementary strengths.
- Give choice in tasks: Let students pick which exam-style questions to attempt first.
- Reflect and adapt: Review data regularly to adjust pacing or question complexity.
These strategies create flexibility — but automation is what makes them sustainable.
How RevisionDojo Makes Differentiation Effortless
RevisionDojo was built with IB differentiation in mind. It enables teachers to personalize revision automatically, ensuring each student gets material that’s appropriately challenging and aligned with their progress.
Here’s how it works:
- Adaptive Revision Paths: Students receive topic suggestions based on past performance, ensuring they focus where they need the most improvement.
- HL and SL Segmentation: Teachers can assign work by course level, automatically filtering topics and depth.
- Data-Driven Grouping: Dojo analytics identify similar performance profiles, helping teachers create balanced learning groups.
- Customizable Assignments: Teachers can modify difficulty settings within the same topic for varied ability levels.
- Real-Time Feedback: Every student receives instant, individualized results and feedback that guide independent improvement.
The result: fully differentiated IB revision — no spreadsheets, no manual sorting, and no guesswork.
Example: Differentiation in IB History Revision
An IB History teacher using traditional resources might struggle to keep HL and SL students equally engaged during Paper 3 prep. With RevisionDojo, that same teacher can:
- Assign HL Paper 3 analytical questions to advanced learners.
- Give SL students structured essay outlines and practice prompts on core topics.
- Monitor progress from one dashboard, adjusting support in real time.
Instead of doubling workload, the teacher delivers dual-track success — effortlessly.
Teacher Tips for Effective Differentiation
- Use data to group strategically: Let Dojo analytics show you which students need foundational review versus enrichment.
- Mix independent and group revision: Assign core Dojo tasks individually, then review common gaps collaboratively.
- Incorporate low-stakes challenges: Keep lower-performing students engaged with short, confidence-building quizzes.
- Encourage self-differentiation: Let students choose their own challenge level once they understand their data.
- Review weekly analytics: Use progress data to refine next week’s tasks — not gut instinct.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How does RevisionDojo handle HL vs SL differentiation?
Each IB subject in RevisionDojo has HL and SL materials clearly divided by topic and complexity, allowing teachers to tailor assignments without juggling multiple files or documents.
2. Can teachers assign mixed-level tasks in one class?
Yes. Teachers can send differentiated assignments to individual students or groups within the same classroom interface — perfect for mixed-ability IB groups.
3. Does RevisionDojo automatically adapt difficulty?
Yes. The platform uses student performance data to adjust question difficulty and recommend targeted practice topics over time.
4. Can teachers still manually select content?
Absolutely. Teachers retain full control over which topics, question types, or difficulty levels to assign. Automation is optional, not restrictive.
5. How does differentiation impact student confidence?
By matching students to appropriate challenge levels, Dojo prevents frustration and boredom — two key barriers to motivation — leading to stronger confidence and steady improvement.
Why Teachers Use RevisionDojo for Smarter Differentiation
Differentiation shouldn’t mean double the planning. With RevisionDojo, IB teachers can balance depth and accessibility across every student group — effortlessly. It’s the simplest way to personalize learning, close skill gaps, and ensure every student gets what they need to succeed.
Empower your IB students with targeted, differentiated revision support:
https://www.revisiondojo.com/schools
