Tynker

CodingPythonGame Design
Written By Manisha Snoyer (co-founder of Modulo)

Tynker was founded in 2013 with a clear mission to make coding accessible and engaging for children around the world. Created by educators and technologists passionate about learning, Tynker aims to teach crucial computational thinking skills through a fun, interactive platform. It has since grown to become a leader in K-12 coding education, used by over 100 million children across 150 countries. The platform's success is recognized through endorsements and partnerships with major educational and technological organizations, making it a respected name in both homes and schools globally.

Differentiation: What Makes Tynker Special

Tynker stands out due to its comprehensive, game-based learning approach that makes coding fun and accessible for children. Unlike other platforms, Tynker offers a wide range of courses that cover everything from the basics to more advanced programming languages like Python and JavaScript. This variety ensures that students can start learning at any skill level and continue to grow, making Tynker an excellent choice for long-term coding education​ (Tynker.com)​.

How to Get Started

Starting with Tynker is straightforward. Parents can sign up on the Tynker website and choose from a variety of plans, including free options that provide a taste of the platform's offerings. Once registered, children can begin with introductory courses tailored to their age and experience, with the platform offering guided learning paths to ensure consistent development​ (Tynker.com)​.

How It Works

Tynker's curriculum is designed to be engaging and self-paced, allowing students to learn coding through interactive courses and projects. Courses are divided into different levels, with each one building on the last to gradually introduce more complex coding concepts. Children can spend about 45-60 minutes per lesson, with activities ranging from coding games to real-world projects. This flexibility makes it suitable for homeschooling, allowing parents to integrate coding lessons according to their educational goals​ (Tynker.com)​.

Educational Content Included

  • Introduction to Programming

  • Game Design and Development

  • Web Development using HTML and CSS

  • Python and JavaScript Courses

  • Robotics and Drone Programming

  • AI and Machine Learning Basics

  • Creative Design and Art through Coding

What’s Good About It

Users often praise Tynker for its engaging, game-like learning environment that captivates children's interest in coding. The platform's diversity in content ensures that there is always something new to challenge students and keep them engaged. Additionally, the progression from block-based coding to text-based programming helps build a solid foundation, making complex concepts more approachable​ (Tynker.com)​.

What Could Be Improved

While Tynker offers a robust platform, some parents note that the transition from game-based learning to traditional programming can be steep for some children. Additionally, while the platform does offer support, some users feel that more direct, personalized guidance could help students when they face difficulties​ (Tynker.com)​.

Advice from Parents

Parents recommend starting with the basics and allowing children to progress at their own pace to build confidence. Engaging with the projects and challenges that Tynker offers outside of the basic curriculum can significantly enhance learning outcomes and keep the experience fun and rewarding​ (Tynker.com)​.

Ideal Fit For

Tynker is ideal for children who enjoy interactive, game-based learning and those who are just beginning their coding journey. Its step-by-step approach makes it excellent for students who thrive under structured learning paths but also enjoy creative freedom in projects​ (Tynker.com)​.

Probably Not a Fit For

Children who prefer highly structured, traditional educational environments might find Tynker's game-like approach less appealing. Additionally, those looking for immediate, intensive programming training might require a platform with a faster pace and more focus on text-based coding from the start​ (Tynker.com)​.

Grades

Tynker is suitable for students from Kindergarten through 12th grade, offering content that scales in complexity to match different educational levels​ (Tynker.com)​.

Cost

Tynker offers various subscription plans ranging from free to premium options, with full access plans costing between $20 to $200 annually, depending on the level of access and resources needed​ (Tynker.com)​.

Ways to Get It

Tynker's coding courses are accessible through their website. Parents can sign up for an account and choose the plan that best suits their child's needs. There are options for both individual learners and family plans that provide access for multiple children​ (Tynker.com)​.

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Manisha Snoyer (co-founder of Modulo)

For the last 20 years, I’ve taught over 2000 children in 3 countries (of all socio-economic backgrounds). I pioneered an English language program in a conflict region in the Middle East. I’ve worked as a bilingual public school teacher at some of the highest and lowest performing public schools and in all five boroughs of NYC. I’ve tutored 18 subjects in three languages to some of the wealthiest families in NYC, San Francisco and Paris to make up for shortcomings in private schools they were paying up to $60,000 a year to attend.

Since 2015, I’ve helped hundreds of parents start microschools (way before this was a household buzzword). I founded CottageClass, the first marketplace for microschools and learning pods that was part of the Techstars 2018 class. In 2019, I created a virtual learning program to help families through the pandemic, a free online math tutoring program (masteryhour.org), and schoolclosures.org, a hotline developed in collaboration with Twilio and 80 other partners including Khan Academy, Revolution Foods and the Crisis Text Line, that served 100,000 families impacted by school closures.

I’ve climbed trees with children in forest schools in San Francisco, and tested new digital apps with kids in seven countries.

I’ve also coached dozens of families at different stages in their homeschooling journey. Most recently, I founded Modulo with homeschooling dad, best-selling author and tech entrepreneur Eric Ries, to help families curate their children’s education, social and childcare experiences drawing from a diverse array of in-person and online resources.


During the last three years, I’ve devoted much of my time to reviewing and testing secular homeschooling curriculum and other resource. I’ve spent the last three years talking to thousands of secular homeschooling families, and poring over tens of thousands of secular curriculum reviews and testing physical curriculum and digital apps for with hundreds of students to find the highest quality, most engaging, personalized learning materials for every type of learner.

I’ve spoken about homeschooling and modular learning at multiple venues including SXSW EDU, NY Tech Meetup, and on the LiberatedEd podcast.

In 2022, Modulo was one of 8 organizations who were awarded the Bridge Grant from the Vela Education Fund to expand access to homeschooling and modular learning to under-resourced communities.

My experience in education and homeschooling has led me to believe that there is no perfect education for every child, but families have an extraordinary amount of wisdom they can apply to building the perfect education for their individual child.

My goal with Modulo is to make it possible for any family to easily build a customized education that their child will love, and that will empower the whole family to thrive, taking into account, social, emotional and academic needs.

I love to answer questions from parents and receive feedback on how we can improve Modulo, so feel free to reach out anytime! I personally answer all the questions and comments readers leave on my blogs.

In my free time, I like hiking, traveling the world, tasting ceremonial grade matcha, enjoying dark chocolate.

I graduated Summa Cum Laude from Brandeis University with highest honors, with a double degree in French Literature and American Studies and minors in Environmental Studies and Peace & Conflict Studies.

And I love to learn!

https://www.linkedin.com/in/manisha-snoyer-5042298/
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