With the increasing focus on AI in education, teachers are often challenged with finding ways to incorporate it safely and effectively in the classroom. The Lincoln AI Learning Coach (Linc) seeks to address this challenge. Designed as a student-friendly tool, Linc assists students by guiding them rather than providing direct answers.
Linc features both animated and human-like coaches to engage students, encouraging independent thinking while supporting their learning. It simplifies subjects such as argumentative writing, science, and social studies, making them more approachable. Amanda Davies, a seasoned middle school teacher who transitioned to a librarian role after 25 years in education, was invited to test Linc with her students.
Here is her review from Teacher Picks, explaining why she considers the Lincoln AI Learning Coach a valuable addition to classroom resources.
For which grade levels and subject areas do you think the Lincoln AI Learning Coach (Linc) is best suited?
The support Linc offers is ideally suited for middle and high school students. When my students used it for assistance with argumentative essays, they found the feedback valuable for improving their writing. They appreciated that the guidance was tailored to their level and did not talk down to them. Coaches James and Lily were especially effective in helping my middle school students revisit class concepts with additional examples and constructive suggestions. They could engage with Linc independently, receiving the support they required. The interface, characterized by simple, clean lines and muted colors, complements the maturity of older students, an aspect I appreciate as both a middle and former high school teacher.
Did using Linc help you align your lessons with any specific standards or curriculum guidelines that you know of?
Linc adapts to student needs and aligns with curricula across various disciplines and age groups. For instance, when we used it to guide students in writing arguments, the activities and feedback were in line with the Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts:
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.6.1: Write arguments to support claims with clear reasons and relevant evidence.
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.6.1.a: Introduce claim(s) and organize the reasons and evidence clearly.
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.6.1.b: Support claim(s) with clear reasons and relevant evidence, using credible sources and demonstrating an understanding of the topic or text.
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.6.1.c: Use words, phrases, and clauses to clarify the relationships among claim(s) and reasons.
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.6.1.d: Establish and maintain a formal style.
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.6.1.e: Provide a concluding statement or section that follows from the argument presented.
How did you use Linc in your classroom?
As a former English Language Arts teacher, I found the interactive video explaining how to develop an argument particularly helpful. It included examples from a historical text, Kennedy’s State of the Union address. I provided printed copies of the speech for students to use as a mentor text. They followed along with the video to identify the argumentative elements used by Kennedy and discussed whether including a counterargument would have strengthened his position.
I appreciated Linc’s versatility, using it both for whole-class instruction with the “Learn Anything” option and for individualized writing guidance.
Was Linc easy to use and implement?
The interface was intuitive and required only a few clicks to navigate. It was simple to use for whole-class instruction, and my middle school students quickly learned how to use it for independent work.
How did your students react to Linc?
My middle school students enjoyed being able to add specific assignments to the “Homework Helper” chat to receive targeted assistance. They found it particularly useful for science and social studies tasks. The human-like coaches, James and Lily, were particularly appealing, and several students mentioned they would use the coaches at home to revisit class content.
How would you sum up your overall experience with the Lincoln AI Learning Coach (Linc)?
As a librarian, I often define appropriate uses of AI for students and assist teachers in integrating it into their classrooms. Linc stood out because the coaches encouraged students to review and revise their work rather than providing direct answers. Many colleagues are concerned about AI undermining critical thinking, but Linc’s coaches offer guidance and feedback without doing the work for students.
The system is designed to ensure student safety during interactions, and the coaches redirect conversations that deviate from academic topics.
On a scale of 1 to 5, how easy was it to use Lincoln AI Learning Coach in your classroom and/or lesson (1 = very difficult, 5 = very easy)? And why did you give it that rating?
I would rate it a 4. While some exploration and preparation are needed for teacher-led sessions, the tool excels in supporting students independently with reteaching and review.
Which two features did you like most about the Lincoln AI Learning Coach?
The two standout features of this tool are:
- The built-in safety measures and the support provided without offering direct answers.
- Its ability to foster independent thinking among students.
Compared to other AI tools I’ve used or evaluated, Linc offers students opportunities to review and learn material independently. It ensures students engage with content critically rather than using AI as an answer generator. For instance, when students input an algebraic equation, Linc identified minor errors and guided them to correct these mistakes instead of simply providing the right answer.
How do you plan to use the Lincoln AI Learning Coach again in the future?
In my role as a librarian, evaluating and recommending resources to families, students, and teachers is crucial. I plan to recommend Linc to families seeking additional support for their children, students in need of personalized feedback, and teachers aiming to offer extra assistance to their students.
Watch Amanda’s review of the Lincoln AI Learning Coach below:
Teacher Picks is a sponsored program available from We Are Teachers. All opinions shared in the review are honest and based on the teacher’s direct experience. To learn more about our guidelines and review process, click here.
