You know that feeling when you look at your to-do list and it just says “everything”? Or when a student asks, “How do I start this assignment?” and your internal response is just a long, echoing screaming into the void? Enter: Goblin Tools.
No, it’s not a joke. Yes, it’s delightful. And yes, it was literally made to help with that “I-have-no-idea-where-to-begin” paralysis. Whether you’re a neurodivergent human (hi, welcome, same hat), a perpetually overwhelmed educator (also hi), or a student who thinks “project-based learning” is just a new way to spiral—Goblin Tools is here to help.
🧙♀️ What Is Goblin Tools?
Goblin Tools is a web and mobile app created by a neurodivergent developer for neurodivergent folks—though honestly, I’d argue anyone living in the year 2025 can benefit. It’s a charming, deceptively simple suite of AI-powered mini-tools designed to support executive functioning.
And the best part? Each tool is named like something out of a wizarding syllabus, but works like a productivity Swiss Army knife. The tool lineup includes:
- Magic ToDo: Turn any vague, intimidating task (e.g., “plan the quarter”) into bite-sized steps (e.g., “choose reading material,” “make seating chart,” “cry briefly,” “post to LMS”).
- Formalizer: Need to email admin, but your brain said “yo” instead of “Dear Dr. Brilliant”? This rewrites messages in a variety of tones, from professional to blunt to pirate (yes, really).
- Estimator: Gives you a realistic-ish time estimate for a task. (Spoiler: “clean classroom closet” = 7 hours + 1 existential crisis.)
- Judge: Drop in that text message from your principal and get feedback on tone—helpful if you ever panic that “Sure!” sounds passive-aggressive.
- Compiler: Summarizes multiple lines of input into one clean version—perfect for condensing student brainstorming into a single thesis.
- Chef: Toss in what you have in your fridge and it’ll give you a recipe. Useful for feeding yourself when you remember at 9 PM you haven’t eaten since lunch duty.
Each of these tools runs in a clean, non-overwhelming interface. There’s no flashing ads, no weird gamification, and no guilt-tripping productivity graphs. Just helpful stuff, presented simply—kind of like if your most helpful friend was a tiny goblin who lived in your phone.
👩🏫 In the Classroom
Here’s where things get spicy (in the best pedagogical way): Goblin Tools can be incredibly useful for students—especially those with executive functioning challenges, ADHD, autism, or anxiety. But again: this is not just a tool for neurodivergent folks. This is a tool for anyone who has ever said, “Wait, what am I supposed to be doing again?”
Here’s how you can use it in your teaching life:
- Project Planning: Students can use Magic ToDo to break down research papers, presentations, or even multi-step math problems into manageable pieces.
- Writing Help: Students struggling with tone or formality (say, a student emailing a college admissions counselor) can use the Formalizer for support.
- Time Management: The Estimator gives students an idea of how long different tasks might take—an eye-opening tool for those who think writing a three-page paper takes “like, 20 minutes tops.”
- Teacher Life: Planning units, writing difficult emails, or surviving report card season? Goblin Tools has your back. I personally used it to turn “redo entire curriculum to meet new state standards” into 17 individual panic moments, and it helped.
🤖 AI Behind the Tool
Goblin Tools uses natural language processing (NLP)—the same kind of technology that powers large language models like ChatGPT—to analyze and respond to your input. It’s basically a little language engine that:
- Parses what you typed
- Interprets meaning and tone
- Produces output based on learned linguistic patterns
Think of it like having a brainy assistant that doesn’t mind being asked, “How long would it take to organize all my Google Drive folders?” without judgment. (Spoiler: It’s longer than you think.)
🛡️ Privacy & Ethics
Goblin Tools is unusually transparent for a tech product. The developer is open about its purpose and limitations, and doesn’t store your data or use it for creepy corporate gain. There are no logins, no accounts, and no “Oops, you’re out of credits!” messages at midnight.
However, the usual AI disclaimer applies: it’s a tool, not a therapist or life coach. Use it just for guidance. The tone detector can be off. The task breakdown might miss a step. But in a world of overwhelming digital everything, it’s a refreshingly non-sinister little robot friend.
🧡 Final Thoughts
Goblin Tools is not flashy. It’s not gamified. It doesn’t shout productivity hacks at you or try to build your “personal brand.” It just quietly makes life a little more manageable.
In a world where our students are drowning in decisions, tasks, and pressure—and so are we—having a tool that helps break things down into digestible chunks is nothing short of revolutionary. Or at least really, really helpful.
So go ahead—try it out. Use it to plan your week, simplify your life, or finally clean out your inbox.
And if you find yourself whispering “thank you, tiny goblin” after breaking down a terrifying task list… don’t worry. You’re not alone.
Paula Johnson Tech 
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