Merlyn
Merlyn is a digital AI assistant designed for enhancing educative experience. Specifically targeting the pedagogical sector, Merlyn aims to...
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What is Merlyn?
Merlyn is the first AI assistant built specifically for education, designed to empower teachers by providing voice-controlled technology management in the classroom. It eliminates tech friction, saves time on administrative tasks, and allows educators to focus on improving student outcomes. Merlyn operates through voice commands or remote control, enabling teachers to operate their front-of-class display, laptop, internet applications, and generative AI chat from anywhere in the room.
Merlyn offers two main products: Merlyn Origin (software-based AI voice assistant for teacher computers requiring a remote control, USB receiver, and browser extension) and Merlyn Display (AI voice assistant integrated directly into select Newline Interactive panels). Key features include natural language voice control for classroom technology, generative AI chat with K12-appropriate answers, Lesson Builder for creating high-quality lesson plans, Rubric Builder for assessment rubrics, and the ability to set timers, adjust volume, take screenshots, open/close apps, and manage presentations.
Merlyn is built on the first large language model designed specifically for the classroom, pulling from educational content and resources rather than the entire internet. It prioritizes low hallucinations, shows attribution to source material, and complies with FERPA and COPPA privacy standards. The tool does not sell personal information, does not retain voice audio after processing, and does not use voice audio to identify individuals.
Independent research from University of California, Irvine found that after just 7 weeks, teachers using Merlyn spend less time on administrative tasks and more time on teaching and learning. Additionally, 61% of teachers report an overall reduction of technology-related stress after 7 weeks. Unlike AI solutions that lead to silent classrooms with students staring at screens, Merlyn creates more engagement opportunities between teachers and students.
Merlyn is designed for K-12 teachers, school administrators, and educational districts looking to transform their classroom technology experience. It is trusted by educators in thousands of classrooms, with super-users interacting with Merlyn every 5 to 10 minutes during the school day, performing 100+ actions per day.
Merlyn pricing
Pricing model: Free
Merlyn Origin requires a paid annual license with no free tier. In the UK, the first year subscription is £199.00 plus VAT per unit; in Europe it is €259.00 plus VAT per unit with a minimum order of 5 units. Second year renewals are £159.00 plus VAT (UK) or €199.00 plus VAT (Europe) per unit. All prices include delivery costs. In the US, CDW lists the 1-year educational license at $375.00. Each teacher requires both a software license and a separate Merlyn Origin Remote Control (hardware sold separately). Schools ordering at least 20 Merlyn licenses can receive up to 40% off through promotional periods. To purchase Merlyn Display, contact Newline Interactive directly. Free personalized demos are available by scheduling through the website.
Merlyn pros
- Voice control of classroom technology from anywhere in the room
- Saves time on administrative tasks after just 7 weeks
- 61% reduction in technology-related stress for teachers
- Increases student engagement instead of reducing it
- Built on LLM designed specifically for education
- FERPA and COPPA compliant for school privacy requirements
- Does not sell personal information or retain voice audio
- Lesson Builder creates high-quality lesson plans in minutes
- Rubric Builder helps create assessment rubrics quickly
- K12-appropriate answers with source attribution
- Minimizes AI hallucinations compared to general LLMs
- Works with any teacher computer (PC and Mac)
- Controls front-of-class display, browser, and apps via voice
- Super-users perform 100+ actions per day
- Remote control included for hands-free operation
- Integrates with existing edtech tools and devices
- Generative AI chat rewards student curiosity
Merlyn cons
- Requires separate hardware remote control purchase for Merlyn Origin
- Merlyn Display only available on select Newline Interactive panels
- Minimum 5 units required for European orders
- No free tier available - paid license required
- Only supports Chrome and Edge browsers
- Requires USB-A 2.0 port for receiver
- Windows 10 version 1709 or Windows 11 minimum required
- Mac requires OS Monterey 12.0 or later
- Primarily designed for teachers not students directly
Frequently asked questions about Merlyn
What is Merlyn?
Merlyn is the AI assistant built just for education. It is the first digital assistant built specifically for education that empowers teachers to more naturally control the technology in their classrooms and simplify their work. Merlyn automates workflows and allows teachers and students to interact naturally with classroom technology using voice commands or touch to operate front-of-class displays, laptops, and internet applications from anywhere in the room.
How does Merlyn's voice control work?
Merlyn's voice control works through natural language processing, allowing teachers to simply speak commands to control their classroom technology. With Merlyn Origin, teachers use a remote control and USB receiver with a browser extension to enable voice and remote control of PCs and Macs. With Merlyn Display, teachers control Newline Interactive panels with their voice and remote from anywhere in the classroom. Teachers can get answers, control their browser, open and close apps, set timers, adjust volume, take screenshots, share resources, and manage presentations all through voice commands.
What is the difference between Merlyn Origin and Merlyn Display?
Merlyn Origin is a software-based AI voice assistant for teacher computers that delivers the power of AI to any teacher with a computer. It requires only a remote control, USB receiver, and browser extension, and enables voice and remote control of PCs and Macs while connecting to any front-of-class display. Merlyn Display is the Merlyn AI assistant integrated directly into select Newline Interactive panels, allowing teachers to control their panels with voice and remote control from anywhere in the classroom. Merlyn Origin works with any computer, while Merlyn Display is built into specific hardware.
Is Merlyn safe and private for schools?
Yes, Merlyn is designed specifically for the privacy, safety, and security needs of education. It is built on the first LLM designed specifically for the classroom, pulling from educational content and resources rather than the entire internet. Merlyn does not sell personal information, does not retain voice audio after processing, and does not use voice audio to identify individuals. It is FERPA and COPPA compliant. The company is transparent about AI risks and limitations with users and enhances safety features regularly.
What is Merlyn's Lesson Builder?
Merlyn's Lesson Builder is part of the Teacher Toolkit in Merlyn Origin that utilizes generative AI to assist teachers with lesson preparation for all grades and subjects. It is easy to use and can dramatically cut lesson preparation time down to just minutes without sacrificing instruction quality. Teachers provide a title, class description, objective, grade range, class length, average class size, Common Core standard code and description, and customize learning activities. The AI generates a complete lesson with materials, instructional activities, assessment, and differentiation, including stretch activities for challenged students and support for those needing further practice.
What does research say about Merlyn's effectiveness?
Independent research conducted by University of California, Irvine found significant positive results after just 7 weeks of use. Teachers using Merlyn spend less time on administrative tasks and more time on teaching and learning. 61% of teachers using Merlyn report an overall reduction of technology-related stress after 7 weeks. Unlike AI solutions that lead to silent classrooms with students staring at screens, Merlyn creates more opportunities for engagement among teachers and students. Super-users interact with Merlyn every 5 to 10 minutes during the school day, performing 30+ actions per day for active users and 100+ actions per day for super-users.
Does Merlyn work with students or just teachers?
Merlyn is an AI assistant for teachers, not students. By supporting teachers before, during, and after class, Merlyn has the potential to transform educational outcomes for millions of students indirectly. The tool is designed to support teachers in creating a learning environment that captures and keeps student attention, but the primary user is the educator who uses it to control classroom technology, prepare lessons, and increase engagement.
What are the system requirements for Merlyn Origin?
Merlyn Origin requires Windows 10 minimum version 1709 or Windows 11 for PC users, or Intel or Apple Silicon Mac with OS Monterey 12.0+ for Mac users. Browser requirements include Chrome (latest or long-term stable) or Edge (latest or long-term stable). For hardware, a USB-A 2.0 port is required for the Origin USB Receiver (docks and USB hubs may be used). Each teacher needs both a software license and a Merlyn Origin Remote Control with USB receiver.
How does Merlyn's AI differ from ChatGPT or other general AI?
Merlyn's AI is built on the first large language model designed specifically for the classroom, which is fundamentally different from general-purpose LLMs. Merlyn focuses on building self-contained small single-purpose models with an emphasis on education workflows and safety requirements, rather than being trained on information collected from the Internet at large. This allows Merlyn's responses to minimize hallucinations and be closer aligned to school content and curriculums. Merlyn generates content from educational resources, shows attribution to source material, and prioritizes low hallucinations. It also includes domain-specific guardrails appropriate for use in education.
How can I get Merlyn for my school or classroom?
To get Merlyn Origin, you can book a free personalized demo through the website to see the solutions in action. For pricing and purchase, you can contact regional resellers: UK via C-Learning, Europe via Delling Cloud, Norway/Sweden via Online Partners, Finland via Cloud Point, or GCC countries via Delling Cloud. In the US, Merlyn Origin is available through CDW. Schools ordering at least 20 licenses can receive up to 40% off during promotional periods. To purchase Merlyn Display, contact Newline Interactive directly. Admins need correct permissions to claim their organization and activate Merlyn licenses through the management console, then distribute hardware to teachers who download the web app and browser extension.