🚀 Initial Release
GradeBlaster 1.0.0 — the first public release.
New
- Blast All mode — grade an entire class in one click. AI downloads all submissions, analyzes each one, generates feedback, and posts grades to Canvas automatically.
- Step-by-Step mode — grade one student at a time with AI suggestions. Review, accept, or override each grade before posting.
- Grading Profiles — create reusable rubric templates with Visual and Technical criteria, custom point weights, and feedback templates.
- Canvas Integration — connects to any Canvas LMS instance via personal API token. Reads courses, assignments, and submissions. Posts grades and comments.
- AI Vision grading — analyzes student submission images using Anthropic Claude or OpenAI GPT-4o. Supports PDFs (converted to images) and PNG/JPG files.
- Draft Mode — post grades as muted drafts in Canvas so students can't see them until you're ready to publish.
- Grade History — full session history with per-student scores, feedback, and timestamps. Export to CSV.
- AI Cost Tracking — real-time token usage and dollar cost per grading run.
- Grade Distribution — histogram view of grade distribution across A/B/C/D/F buckets after each run.
- Description Analysis — paste in the assignment brief and the AI checks if submissions follow the requirements.
- 30-day free trial — all features unlocked, no credit card required.
- License system — Pro ($99/yr) and Department ($349/yr, 5 seats) licenses with instant key delivery.
- macOS 11+ support — native app for Intel and Apple Silicon. Signed and notarized.
AI Providers
- Anthropic Claude 3.5 Sonnet (vision) — primary recommendation
- OpenAI GPT-4o (vision) — full support
- Bring your own API key — no markup, direct billing from provider