Grokkoli AI Math Tutor

Frequently Asked Questions

1. 1. What learning science and teaching approaches is Grokkoli based on?
   Grokkoli is grounded in a mix of learning science, special-education best practices, and what great tutors and teachers already do in real classrooms. It's not built around a single theory, but around a set of well-supported ideas that we've baked into the system and then tuned based on real learner data.
   
   Some of the key influences:

   • Cognitive load theory & worked examples
     Keeping screens clean, steps small, and thinking demands focused—so working memory isn't overwhelmed—while modeling how to solve new types of problems.
   • Concrete-Representational-Abstract (CRA) & visual models
     Using blocks, number lines, fraction strips, arrays, and other visuals (including digital manipulatives) before and alongside symbols.
   • Scaffolding & gradual release
     Giving just-in-time support (hints, visual cues, worked steps) when a learner is stuck, and then fading that support as they gain independence.
   • Spaced practice & retrieval
     (similar to "spiral learning" and "interleaving") Bringing skills back just before they're forgotten so learning sticks, instead of doing a topic once and never revisiting it.
   • Error analysis & misconception diagnosis
     Looking for patterns in wrong answers to infer what a learner is thinking, and then targeting the likely misconception.
   • Learning progressions & mastery learning
     Breaking math into very small, ordered skills and not moving on until precursor ideas are solid.
   • Formative assessment & immediate feedback
     Treating every response as information: Grokkoli checks understanding continuously and gives instant, specific feedback rather than saving everything for a quiz later.
   • Self-regulation & motivation supports
     Gently flagging when learners are guessing, rushing, or disengaging and reinforcing helpful behaviors (focus, persistence) with behavior-specific praise.

   
   We also try to ensure learners build a coherent mental model of math, with every new idea connecting cleanly to what they already know, so that their understanding remains a unified, internally consistent foundation (see more on why we think this is so important).
   
   But perhaps most importantly, we are constantly analyzing how well learners are understanding the math-content we present them. And we continually adjust until it works very well for a broad range of learners. For us, real teaching efficacy trumps educational theory every time.
2. 2. How does Grokkoli fit into MTSS / RTI (Tiers 1, 2, and 3)?
   Grokkoli is an intervention tool rather than a core Tier 1 curriculum. It was designed first for Tier 2, Tier 3, and SPED learners who are working below grade level, but it can support the whole MTSS pyramid:

   • Tier 3 / SPED
     Intensive, individualized support for students with persistent or complex needs. Grokkoli's fine-grained skill graph, visual models, and detailed error data help teams pinpoint exactly which precursors to reteach and track small but meaningful gains over time.
   • Tier 2
     Targeted intervention for students 1-2 years behind. Grokkoli provides mastery-based practice on critical numeracy skills, with clear progress-monitoring data (sessions, accuracy, mastery status) that can feed directly into MTSS meetings and documentation.
   • Tier 1
     For core classrooms, Grokkoli can be used as a station or "second dose" for students who need foundational reinforcement—without pulling them from core instruction.

   
   Dashboards are designed to support IEP reviews, MTSS/RTI conversations, and parent meetings by showing where each student sits on key learning trajectories and how their skills are changing over time.
3. 3. How does Grokkoli support students with learning differences (dyscalculia, ADHD, etc.)?
   Grokkoli is built around learners who don't thrive with typical text-heavy, one-size-fits-all math apps. Design choices include:

   • Visual-first instruction
     Heavy use of number lines, blocks, fraction strips, and other models so that language and reading level don't block access to the math.
   • Fine-grained steps & frequent wins
     Skills are broken into small, conceptual building blocks, so students experience genuine success and can rebuild confidence even when they are years behind.
   • Low cognitive load
     Clean screens, predictable interaction patterns, and short, focused tasks reduce working-memory demands—especially important for learners with ADHD or processing challenges.
   • Adaptive scaffolds & error diagnosis
     When students struggle, Grokkoli responds with just-in-time supports and uses error patterns to infer likely misconceptions, rather than simply marking items "wrong."

   
   Many of our earliest adopters are SPED and intervention teachers in high-poverty districts, who report that Grokkoli reaches learners who previously "bounced off" other learning apps. Grokkoli is not a drill-and-kill program, where students cycle through the same question type over and over. Instead, they experience spaced-retrieval practice with varied representations and problem structures. This gives them the repetition they need, without the drudgery or boredom of traditional drills.
4. 4. How do I get my students set up on Grokkoli?
   If your district uses ClassLink, Clever, or SchoolDay, we can work with your IT team to auto-provision classes and keep rosters in sync (SSO is supported or coming online where needed).
   
   If you're not yet integrated, you can:

   • Create a teacher account using your school email.
   • Add students (manually or via simple CSV import).
   • Share each learner's unique PIN or QR code so they can log in independently, or launch sessions from a shared device.

   
   Most classrooms are fully set up in under 30 minutes, and our team is available to support rostering or bulk imports as needed.
5. 5. How does Grokkoli decide what to teach each student?
   Grokkoli is designed so teachers don't have to micro-manage which problems students see.
   
   Under the hood, Grokkoli:

   • Runs a quick diagnostic through normal use (no separate long test).
   • Places each learner on a fine-grained skill graph aligned with core K-5 numeracy progressions.
   • Tracks accuracy, response time, and need for scaffolds to estimate mastery and decide what to teach next.
   • Automatically backfills missing precursors and advances when "cold" mastery is demonstrated.

   
   Teachers can still:

   • Set per-student or per-group usage targets (e.g., 4×20-minute sessions/week).
   • See exactly which concepts students are working on and which prerequisites are blocking progress.

   
   The goal is to free teachers from manually assigning "the next worksheet" while still giving them deep visibility into what each student actually understands.
6. 6. What kind of work will students do in Grokkoli?
   Grokkoli will have your students will work through:

   • Highly structured tasks using visual models (blocks, number lines, fraction strips, etc.).
   • Short problem sets with immediate, targeted feedback.
   • Scaffolded "teach-me" sequences when they're stuck, followed by independent practice.
   • Spaced review of previously mastered skills to protect against forgetting.

   
   Teachers control time, not tiny details of scope and sequence:

   • We recommend at least four 20-minute sessions per week for intervention-level impact (mirroring high-impact-tutoring dosage).
   • Many schools use Grokkoli during intervention blocks, resource time, centers, or as an alternative to traditional "practice apps."

   
   There is no fixed "module calendar" teachers must keep up with; Grokkoli adapts to each student's actual readiness and pace.
7. 7. How can teacher interact with their class during Grokkoli sessions?
   Grokkoli is designed to support and extend what teachers already do well. Its role is to handle some of the routine instructional load in the background so teachers can do more of the high-value instructional work that a fully context-aware human will always do better.
   
   During a Grokkoli block, each student is engaged in structured, mastery-based practice with visuals, manipulatives, immediate feedback, and built-in scaffolds. That means:

   • If a teacher is pulled to de-escalate a behavior issue or support a student who is really struggling, the rest of the class can continue making real progress rather than sitting idle.
   • Teachers don't have to deliver whole-group direct instruction while half the room is either lost or waiting. Grokkoli keeps students meaningfully engaged at their own level so teachers can work where they're most needed.

   
   Teachers using Grokkoli often describe sessions like this:

   • They circulate the room (or work from their small-group table) while Grokkoli manages step-by-step work, jumping in for short 1:1 conferences when they notice a learner who needs a quick explanation, encouragement, or a different way of seeing the idea.
   • They glance at the live dashboard to see who is stuck, who is disengaged, and who is ready for a stretch, then sit beside those students for a brief targeted check-in.

   
   In other words, Grokkoli helps create the conditions for teachers to spend more of the block doing what they do best - building relationships, noticing subtle misconceptions, asking great questions, and giving the kind of support no AI can match.
   
   One important limitation to be aware of: right now Grokkoli focuses on core numeracy (number sense, operations, fractions, etc.). It does not yet fully cover geometry or units of measure. Students with IEP goals in those areas will still need additional teacher-led support or other materials alongside Grokkoli.
8. 8. How many questions does Grokkoli have?
   Grokkoli doesn't rely on a fixed problem bank. Instead, it uses problem blueprints that can often generate thousands of variations for each concept.
   
   For example:

   • A single blueprint for "adding single-digit whole numbers" can generate just 81 unique questions.
   • But "adding double-digit whole numbers" scales into thousands of variants.
   • And rational-number operations can generate hundreds of thousands of question examples.

   
   More importantly, the system:

   • Varies representations (e.g., manipulatives ↔ visual models ↔ symbols) to build conceptual flexibility.
   • Uses spacing and interleaving to revisit skills over weeks and months, rather than in one burst, and never resorts to "drill and kill" repetition.

   
   Students never "run out" of questions - almost all will reach mastery well before they exhaust the available question variations.
9. 9. How does Grokkoli keep kids engaged?
   Grokkoli is not an edutainment platform. We avoid heavy gamification and distraction.
   
   Instead, we keep students engaged by:

   • Ensuring tasks are at the right level of challenge—not too easy, not overwhelming.
   • Making the math visually meaningful, with models and manipulatives that clarify what's happening.
   • Giving immediate, respectful feedback and support that helps students fix errors without feeling shamed.
   • Celebrating real progress (mastered skills, persistence, improved focus) rather than points or flashy rewards.
   • Staying completely clear of drill-and-kill-style repetition.

   
   In early pilots, teachers report:

   • Students who struggled to stay on task for more than a few minutes at a time often sustain 20+ minutes with Grokkoli.
   • Notable reductions in off-task behavior during math blocks when Grokkoli is part of the routine.

   
   We want students to be proud of their actual math growth—not just beating "the boss level" of a game.
10. 10. What technology powers Grokkoli?
    Grokkoli is powered by a proprietary expert-system engine, not a generic chatbot or generative AI model. This is a deliberate design choice to keep instruction safe, predictable, and mathematically correct for young learners.
    
    Why this design is trusted in classrooms:

    • No off-topic or unsafe content
      Grokkoli does not generate open-ended text, so it never veers into non-math topics or inappropriate dialogue.
    • No “hallucinated” math
      Every explanation, scaffold, hint, or model is authored and controlled—never improvised by an LLM.
    • Transparent, auditable pedagogy
      Every decision by the system can be viewed and understood by an educator.

    
    Why this design is superior to LLM-based AI tutors:

    • Full integration with the visual elements of a question
      Grokkoli doesn't just describe visual models - it controls them. The expert system can generate and animate number lines, blocks, arrays, and fraction bars in real time, and it can adjust these representations based on the learner's exact error pattern. LLMs, by contrast, can only offer verbal explanations, which are often inaccessible to early-grade learners and cannot dynamically manipulate visual models.
    • Better overall speed & performance
      Grokkoli's rule engine runs locally and instantly, without waiting for large-model inference. This allows for faster feedback, stable performance even on low-cost devices or strained school Wi-Fi, and no unpredictable lags during instruction. This consistency is essential for learners with attention, processing, or behavioral challenges.
11. 11. Is Grokkoli a full math curriculum?
    No. Grokkoli is an intervention tool focused on core arithmetic and foundational math concepts — number sense, operations, place value, fractions, and more. It is designed to work alongside your existing Tier 1 curriculum, not replace it. Topics like geometry, measurement units, and data/graphing are not yet fully covered.
12. 12. Why the name Grokkoli?
    “Grokkoli” combines:

    • “Grok” - a term coined by science-fiction writer Robert Heinlein, meaning to deeply understand something, to the point of fully internalizing it.
    • “Broccoli” - a super-nutritious cruciferous vegetable kids don't always ask for, but that's incredibly good for them.

    The idea that Grokkoli is all about brain-healthy math - not flashy, but designed to help students truly grok the concepts they'll rely on for the rest of their schooling.
13. Still have questions? Contact us here