Every year during test prep season, Joe and I find ourselves doing the same thing. We walk through each question with the whole class, hoping to keep everyone on track. A few students raise their hands, some quietly get it, and others stay silent even when they’re lost. It’s hard to know who needs help in the moment, and even harder to make sure every student feels comfortable asking for it. With so many different levels in one room and the pressure to move quickly, it always feels like we’re missing someone.
Helping Students Without Making Them Raise Their Hands
Instead of walking through questions together as a whole class, we had students work through them using Instructron. As they practiced, they could ask Coach Tronnie questions when they got stuck. They didn’t have to raise their hand or feel embarrassed about not knowing the answer. They just typed what they needed and got help right away.
On our side, we could actually see what they were asking. It gave us insight into what was tripping them up. The kinds of questions they didn’t usually ask out loud were right there for us to read. It changed the way we were able to support them, because we weren’t guessing anymore.
The Bumpy Start That Taught Us a Lot
Now to be honest, it wasn’t smooth from the start. Some students treated Coach Tronnie like a buddy. They asked it to call them funny names or wrote things like “Hi Tronnie, do you like pizza?” and “Call me bestie!”
It was kind of hilarious but also a reminder that just like anything in the classroom, we had to teach them how to use the tool. We had a real conversation about how AI can be helpful, but only if we treat it like a learning tool and not a toy. We explained that Tronnie is here to help them grow, not entertain them.
Khoa took all of that feedback and made Coach Tronnie more focused. He adjusted the tone so it gives clear, direct help without encouraging silly side chats. Basically, Tronnie started acting a little more like us in the classroom. It was still friendly and encouraging, but ready to get down to business.
A Real Tool for Real Classrooms
Test prep will always be a challenge. But using Instructron made it feel more manageable. Students worked at their own pace. We got real insight into what they were struggling with. And they got support the moment they needed it, not days later. We’re still learning and adjusting and growing with it. But it helped, and it felt like the kind of support we wish we had years ago.
That’s why we’re building it! It's not to replace teachers, but to make teaching a little bit easier and a lot more effective. Join us on our journey and check it out!