Building in Public: Exploring No-Code Tools with 12 in 12

Have you ever thought, “I wish I could build my own app, but I’m not a developer”? As an educator, you already have a wealth of creativity and insight into what works in the classroom, but may not have the time or expertise to solve it with the tools you have. That’s why

I’m excited to share some more information on 12 in 12—a year-long adventure where I build 12 different applications in 12 months using accessible no-code and low-code solutions.

The goals are twofold:

1. Empower Educators: Show that educators can build impactful products without needing to be full-time coders.

2. Broaden the Vision for AI in Education: Demonstrate that the potential of AI goes far beyond the familiar realm of ChatGPT-style tools. There’s a rich landscape of possibilities waiting to be explored.

In this blog post, I’m sharing an overview of the three main tiers of tools I’ll be exploring throughout 12in12. Whether you’re a seasoned tech enthusiast or just curious about how to get started, there’s something here for you.

Tier 1: Custom GPTs – Your First Step into AI Tool Creation

The first tier is all about custom GPTs. Many platforms—such as ChatGPT, Gemini, and Cloud—now let you build your own specialized versions of these language models. For instance, I’m working with a tool called Chipp, which makes it incredibly simple to create a custom tool powered by an LLM.

Imagine building a bots or agents that can act as:

• A project-based learning guide.

• A historical figure you can interview.

• A unit plan developer who’s trained on your classroom materials.

• A co-teacher helping you design SDIs

These GPT wrappers allow you to fine-tune a tool using your own data. They’re text- and picture-based, which means you can get creative with how you present and use information. For educators, this is a great starting point—no heavy coding required, just a bit of setup and a lot of innovative potential.

Tier 2: AI-Assisted Code Generation – Taking It Up a Notch

Once you’re comfortable with custom GPTs, the next step is transitioning to tools that take you from AI chat to actual code generation. In this tier, you simply describe what you need, and the AI produces the code for you. This opens up exciting opportunities to integrate databases, design custom user interfaces, and even combine multiple products to build a full-fledged web app.

A couple of my favorite tools in this category are:

• Bolt.new

• Lovable.dev

Each has its unique strengths in integration and functionality. While these tools are a bit more complex than GPT wrappers, they still follow processes that make them accessible for those who aren’t professional developers. This tier is perfect for educators who want to experiment with more dynamic applications without starting from scratch.

Tier 3: Developer-Centric Tools – For Those Ready to Dive Deeper

The final tier is designed for anyone who is comfortable with a bit more of the technical side of things. Tools like Cursor.ai and Windsurfer.ai offer experiences that feel much more like working in a traditional coding environment—almost like using a terminal.

These platforms are ideal if you’re looking for granular control over your projects and are ready to explore the finer details of app development. Although I’m still getting to know these tools myself, I’m excited to learn more about them over the course of 12in12 and share my learnings along the way.

What's next!?

12in12 is more than just a challenge; it’s a journey of exploration and learning. I hope to inspire fellow educators to experiment with these no-code and low-code tools and to see firsthand that building innovative, AI-powered applications is within your reach. Whether you start with a custom GPT or jump right into code generation, the key takeaway is that you have the power to create tools that can transform learning in our classrooms.

Stay tuned as I dive deeper into each of these tiers and share practical insights, successes, and even the occasional misstep along the way. Let’s reimagine what’s possible in education together—one application at a time.

sync up soon,

mike