Let’s get one thing straight: grading essays is time-consuming. Like, "why do I do this to myself every Sunday night?" time-consuming. So it would be easy for us to build an AI that reads student writing and spits out a score. But that’s not what Instructron is about.
We believe student writing deserves more than a number. Here's why we don't auto-grade essays and what we do instead.
Writing Is a Process, Not a Product
Instructron is built on the idea that writing should be coached, not judged. That's where Coach Tronnie comes in. He’s not handing out scores. He’s helping students improve.
Tronnie gives real-time feedback that is supportive and easy to understand. He helps students organize their thoughts, revise awkward sentences, and strengthen their evidence. His goal is to guide students through the process of writing with confidence.
Students Need a Partner, Not a Judge
Many of us have 30+ students in a classroom and only one set of eyes and ears. We try to check in with every student during writing time, but it’s not always possible. Tronnie helps bridge that gap.
A student stuck on a blank page can get help from Tronnie to get their ideas flowing. If they are halfway through and don’t know what to do next, Tronnie can offer suggestions to move forward. It’s like having an extra support person in the room who never gets tired or distracted.
Teachers Still Know Their Students Best
We don’t believe AI should replace a teacher’s voice. AI can offer support, but only teachers know the full story behind a student’s progress. That’s why every writing activity on Instructron includes a space for teacher feedback.
You know your students. You know who’s growing, who’s coasting, and who’s putting in real effort. Our job is to make it easier for you to give meaningful feedback without starting from scratch every time.
The Real Goal: Growth Over Grades
Giving a number doesn’t always help students grow. What helps is feedback that shows them how to improve. That’s where Tronnie shines. By highlighting what’s working and what needs attention, we help shift students away from “What’s my grade?” and toward “How can I make this better?” That mindset leads to better writing, more confidence, and a stronger sense of ownership over their work.
Writing is personal. It takes time, encouragement, and practice. Instructron is here to support that process by giving students a guide and giving teachers the space to do what they do best.