This is the original announcement for three features that are all still here. It was recorded in 2024, so the screens look different and it says "AI tutor" where Flint now says activity — the written version below is current.
Math support
Flint renders math notation properly rather than as plain text, so an equation in a message looks like an equation.
To write one yourself, use the Insert an equation button in the message box. Students have it too, which is what lets them show their working rather than describing it in words.
Sparky has a calculator tool to check arithmetic and solve equations. Calculator-backed answers can still be wrong if Sparky chooses the wrong formula or inputs, so check important results and the working.
Sparky can also plot functions and draw diagrams when a picture explains it better than a number. See Tools available when chatting with Sparky.
Evidence-based feedback
When a session is submitted, Sparky writes a summary of it under three headings:
| Heading | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Strengths | What the student did well |
| Areas of improvement | Where they struggled and what would help |
| Follow-up | What to work on next |
The evidence links in the feedback point to messages in the conversation. Click a link and the session jumps to the cited message, so you can read what actually happened rather than taking the summary's word for it. Students see their own feedback the same way.
Grade and language level selectors
Set a level on a chat activity (Lesson with Sparky) to guide Sparky's vocabulary, explanations and expectations.
Open the chat activity, click Edit activity, click the activity thumbnail, select Activity settings, and set Grade level in the Activity behavior section. File-upload activities and assessments do not have this panel or picker. The picker covers five systems:
| System | Levels |
|---|---|
| US | 1st Grade to 12th Grade, plus University |
| UK | Year 1 to Year 13, plus University |
| IB | PYP Year 1–5, MYP Year 1–5, DP Year 1–2 |
| CEFR | A1 to C2 |
| ACTFL | Novice, Intermediate, Advanced, Superior, Distinguished |
You can also type your own level into the field if none of these fit your setting, or leave it empty to omit an explicit activity level. Click Update activity to save.
For more on choosing a level, see Grade level selector for activities in Flint.
Questions
Click Learn more about Flint in the Flint sidebar and then Help to open the messenger or help center. See How to get live help in Flint for starting a conversation and cookie settings.