Tynker is a leading educational technology platform that makes learning how to code fun and engaging for kids. With its game-based courses and creative tools, Tynker introduces children to computational thinking and programming in an intuitive way. This article will explore what Tynker is, how it works, the skills kids can learn, best practices for using the platform, and more. By the end, you will thoroughly understand this top choice for teaching kids to code.
What is Tynker?
In simple terms, Tynker is an online programming platform designed for students of all ages to learn coding in a playful, self-paced manner. At its core, Tynker aims to spark kids’ interest in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) by guiding them to build their own interactive games, stories, and animations through visual programming.
Tynker provides two main ways for kids to get started with coding – using visual blocks or writing code manually. The building blocks make complex coding concepts easy for young learners to grasp while also laying the foundation for them to transition to text-based languages like JavaScript, Python, and HTML. Tynker focuses on nurturing computational thinking, problem-solving abilities, and creativity.
What exactly is computational thinking? In simple terms, it involves breaking down problems into basic steps or concepts that a computer can understand and recognizing patterns and relationships that can be solved algorithmically. Tynker helps kids exercise these types of thinking through hands-on projects that are both educational and fun!
How Does Tynker Work?
Now that we understand Tynker’s purpose let’s explore the key aspects of how it works:
Courses
Tynker is organized into various courses that introduce programming concepts in a structured yet engaging way. Courses include themes like game design, web development, robotics, and more.
Visual Programming
Younger kids can start with visual block coding to learn logic and commands in a non-threatening manner. Blocks snap together like puzzle pieces to form programs.
Text Coding
As skills progress, Tynker transitions users to text-based languages they’ll use in the real world, like JavaScript, Python, and HTML.
Creative Tools
Powerful creation suites let kids bring projects to life, including character builders, animation studios, and physics engines.
Challenges & Badges
Motivating challenges teach new skills through interactive gameplay. Earning badges reinforces mastery.
Sharing & Feedback
Finished projects can be shared publicly or privately to spark ideas and receive feedback to keep improving.
Parent/Teacher Dashboard
Educators gain insight into students’ progress and view analytics to tailor instruction.
Adaptive & Self-Paced
The platform dynamically adjusts based on ability levels to keep learning personalized and engaging.
Compatibility & Mobility
Being web-based means Tynker runs anywhere with an internet connection for flexible access.
As you can see, Tynker takes a holistic approach to coding education. Blending instruction, creative outlets, challenges, and sharing features engage kids at their level while imparting lifelong skills. Let’s explore in more detail how students benefit.
Key Skills Kids Can Learn with Tynker
Using Tynker, children can build a solid foundation in computational thinking and programming fundamentals. Here are some of the most important skills and concepts they can gain:
Logic & Problem-Solving
Tynker teaches logical reasoning and breaking down complex problems into basic steps through visual and text-based coding.
Sequence & Algorithms
Kids learn to organize instructions in proper sequence to achieve goals, practicing algorithmic thinking.
Variables & Operators
Concepts like variables, conditionals, loops, functions, and more lay the groundwork for any programming language.
Creativity & Design
Powerful creative suites unleash kids’ imaginations as they design characters, animations, games, and more.
Troubleshooting & Debugging
With challenges comes troubleshooting code – an essential real-world software skill.
Collaboration & Communication
Sharing work promotes collaboration, and receiving feedback improves communication abilities.
Computational Concepts
Concepts like binary, data, hardware, and more impart a deeper understanding of how technology works.
Confidence & Persistence
Mastering new skills through finished projects builds confidence and a growth mindset of persistence.
The skills kids gain through Tynker directly apply to future STEM careers and everyday life. Tynker instills a lifelong love of coding by making learning fun and empowering self-expression.
Tynker Courses Overview
As mentioned earlier, Tynker offers various courses to guide students through coding concepts in a structured yet fun way. Here’s a brief overview of some of the most popular options:
Introduction to Programming
This beginner course uses visual blocks to teach logic, sequencing, debugging, and more through interactive puzzles and projects.
Game Design 101
Kids bring characters and stories to life by coding basic games like platformers and puzzle games using blocks and JavaScript.
Web Development
Aspiring web designers learn HTML/CSS to create responsive websites with options to publish online for all to see.
Robotics with OzoBot
Students code autonomous robot behaviors through a drag-and-drop interface to complete missions.
App Development
From idea to publishing, this course equips kids with skills to code full-fledged mobile apps using JavaScript and block coding.
Minecraft Modding
Fans can modify their favorite game by coding new items, mobs, blocks, and more to change the gameplay.
Animation & Storytelling
Kids bring stories, characters, and worlds to life through hand-drawn animation using coding principles.
Computer Science Topics
Deeper explorations into algorithms, cryptography, data structures, and more for older/advanced students.
With such a variety of topics, every child can find learning approaches that match their unique skills and interests. Tynker’s courses provide solid foundations in core coding concepts.
Tynker for the Classroom
In addition to supporting independent learning at home, Tynker enables collaborative and guided instruction in classroom settings. Some key features for educators include:
- Teacher Dashboard – Teachers gain insights into students’ progress, skills mastery, coding time, and more through easy-to-use analytics.
- Class & Assignment Creation – Instructors can build custom classes, assign relevant courses and projects, and monitor the whole class’s performance.
- Student Progress Tracking – The dashboard provides a bird’s-eye view of where each student excels or needs more support for targeted lessons.
- Standards Alignment – Lessons adhere to national standards like CSTA K-12 Computer Science and Common Core Math/ELA standards.
- Professional Development – Tynker offers ongoing training and resources to help teachers facilitate computational thinking lessons confidently.
- Whole-Class Activities – Engaging in in-person lessons and projects gets the entire class collaboratively coding together for social skills.
- Tech Setup Support – Affordable pricing, hardware bundles, and onboarding assistance maximize the tools’ potential in any classroom.
With Tynker, computer science education is accessible and optimized for the K-12 classroom environment. Ongoing reporting and training empower teachers as explorative, project-based coding instruction facilitators.
Tynker Pricing Plan
Tynker offers flexible subscription plans tailored to meet the needs of students, parents, educators, and schools. Pricing is very affordable given the robust feature set and educational value provided.
Individual Student Plans
Tynker Essentials starts at just $9 per month for students learning independently at home. This introductory plan provides a solid foundation in block-based coding through 22 engaging courses.
Tynker Plus ramps up the learning with 58+ courses, JavaScript, and robotics for $12.50 per month. All core programming concepts are covered at this level.
The premium Tynker All-Access plan unlocks the full 65+ course catalog and most advanced tools for only $15 monthly. This empowers passionate student coders to take their skills even further.
Educator & School Plans
Classroom-ready pricing makes the platform accessible to any educator. Annual school licenses start from just $399 per teacher account.
Discounted volume licenses are also available directly through Tynker for districts with 50+ students. Custom quote requests, including setup and training support, can be submitted.
Additional Savings
Family plans offer 20% savings on multiple students. Annual and 2-year prepayments also reduce monthly rates, making Tynker highly affordable in the long term.
With its reasonable pricing tailored for all needs, Tynker ensures cost is never a barrier to accessing its highly engaging and effective coding education platform. Quality computer science instruction is within reach for students and schools nationwide.
Read More: 10 Most In-Demand Programming Languages
Conclusion
Tynker is an outstanding educational platform that makes learning computer science concepts enjoyable and inspiring for students of all ages. Through its visual and text-based coding courses, creative tools, challenges and collaborative features, Tynker empowers kids to develop in-demand problem-solving skills through interactive projects. Educators also benefit from robust analytics and standards-aligned lessons to guide students’ computational thinking. With affordable pricing, Tynker ensures all interested learners have access to top-notch computer science instruction. By choosing Tynker, both children and schools can unlock imaginations and futures in the STEM fields.
