A banana shaped writing device; the banana shaped writing device includes a body, a lead, a stem, a peel, and a metal clip. The banana shaped writing device is useful for allowing a user to peel the writing device and provides a cushioned finger hold. Further, the banana shaped writing device is helpful to teach children who are beginning to write the proper finger positions to write.

Method, modules and a system formed by connecting the modules for controlling payloads are disclosed. An activation signal is propagated in the system from a module to the modules connected to it. Upon receiving an activation signal, the module (after a pre-set or random delay) activates a payload associated with it, and transmits the activation signal (after another pre-set or random delay) to one or more modules connected to it. The system is initiated by a master module including a user activated switch producing the activation signal. The activation signal can be propagated in the system in one direction from the master to the last module, or carried bi-directionally allowing two way propagation, using a module which revert the direction of the activation signal propagation direction. A module may be individually powered by an internal power source such as a battery, or connected to external power source such as AC power. The system may use remote powering wherein few or all of the modules are powered from the same power source connected to the system in a single point. The power may be carried over dedicated wires or concurrently with the conductors carrying the activation signal. The payload may be a visual or an audible signaling device, and can be integrated within a module or external to it. The payload may be powered by a module or using a dedicated power source, and can involve randomness associated with its activation such as the delay, payload control or payload activation.

A software application for teaching literacy through customized stories with gamification elements. Existing or new stories are created and customized for particular audiences and include text, animations, images, and sounds to produce an interactive multimedia story for presentation on a computing device with a display and audio output. Reading comprehension questions and games are provided to accompany the stories and the reader of the stories can earn rewards based on performance. The reader's performance is analyzed and reported to track progress.

New and unique puzzle mechanics, systems, and methods are described herein. A puzzle grid comprising linearly arranged intersecting words, with each individual letter placed on a separate puzzle tile, may be divided into a plurality of puzzle pieces, where each puzzle piece is formed of one or more contiguous puzzle tiles. Each puzzle piece shape conforms to one of a predefined set of shapes. To mix up the puzzle grid, identically shaped puzzle pieces may be randomly shuffled and rotated if required so that the puzzle layout remains unchanged whereas the letters are scrambled. Also puzzle pieces whose shape exhibit rotational symmetry may be optionally rotated within the puzzle layout. Letters may maintain upright legibility. A user may then attempt to solve the puzzle by swapping identically shaped puzzle pieces and optionally rotating puzzle pieces whose shape exhibit rotational symmetry.

Method, modules and a system formed by connecting the modules for controlling payloads are disclosed. An activation signal is propagated in the system from a module to the modules connected to it. Upon receiving an activation signal, the module (after a pre-set or random delay) activates a payload associated with it, and transmits the activation signal (after another pre-set or random delay) to one or more modules connected to it. The system is initiated by a master module including a user activated switch producing the activation signal. The activation signal can be propagated in the system in one direction from the master to the last module, or carried bi-directionally allowing two way propagation, using a module which revert the direction of the activation signal propagation direction. A module may be individually powered by an internal power source such as a battery, or connected to external power source such as AC power. The system may use remote powering wherein few or all of the modules are powered from the same power source connected to the system in a single point. The power may be carried over dedicated wires or concurrently with the conductors carrying the activation signal. The payload may be a visual or an audible signaling device, and can be integrated within a module or external to it. The payload may be powered by a module or using a dedicated power source, and can involve randomness associated with its activation such as the delay, payload control or payload activation.

A portable education assembly for teaching elementary and middle school curriculum in a vehicle includes a pair of supports. Each of the supports engages a head rest in a vehicle. A plurality of panels is provided and each of the panel is removably coupled to the support. In this way each of the panels is positioned on the back side of the vehicle seat thereby facilitating each of the panels to be visible to a user seated in a back seat in the vehicle. Each of the panels has indicia is printed thereon. The indicia correspond to curriculum in elementary and middle school to assist in teaching the curriculum to the user in the back seat.

A portable education assembly for teaching elementary and middle school curriculum in a vehicle includes a pair of supports. Each of the supports engages a head rest in a vehicle. A plurality of panels is provided and each of the panel is removably coupled to the support. In this way each of the panels is positioned on the back side of the vehicle seat thereby facilitating each of the panels to be visible to a user seated in a back seat in the vehicle. Each of the panels has indicia is printed thereon. The indicia correspond to curriculum in elementary and middle school to assist in teaching the curriculum to the user in the back seat.

A word selection module of an assessment engine executed by a first computing device selects a word from a word database and modifies an administrator user interface displayed by the first computing device to include a display of the selected word and an interface element for scoring the selected word. The assessment engine modifies a subject user interface displayed by a second computing device to an assessment subject, to display the selected word. A feedback analysis module of the assessment engine receives an input to the administrator user interface and determines that the input indicates the assessment subject incorrectly read the selected word. A diagnoses module diagnoses a level of mastery of a phonics skill of the assessment subject. The assessment engine modifies the administrator user interface to include an identification of an activity for improving the diagnosed level of mastery.

Method, modules and a system formed by connecting the modules for controlling payloads are disclosed. An activation signal is propagated in the system from a module to the modules connected to it. Upon receiving an activation signal, the module (after a pre-set or random delay) activates a payload associated with it, and transmits the activation signal (after another pre-set or random delay) to one or more modules connected to it. The system is initiated by a master module including a user activated switch producing the activation signal. The activation signal can be propagated in the system in one direction from the master to the last module, or carried bi-directionally allowing two way propagation, using a module which revert the direction of the activation signal propagation direction. A module may be individually powered by an internal power source such as a battery, or connected to external power source such as AC power. The system may use remote powering wherein few or all of the modules are powered from the same power source connected to the system in a single point. The power may be carried over dedicated wires or concurrently with the conductors carrying the activation signal. The payload may be a visual or an audible signaling device, and can be integrated within a module or external to it. The payload may be powered by a module or using a dedicated power source, and can involve randomness associated with its activation such as the delay, payload control or payload activation.