Tynker Launches Comprehensive Coding Curriculum for Kindergarten to 2nd Grade Classrooms
Educators now able to teach coding fundamentals to pre-readers from ages 4 to 7 in a fun and intuitive way
MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., Nov. 6, 2019 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Tynker, the leader in enabling kids to use code to become Makers, today announced the Tynker for Schools K-2 Plan. This new plan enables educators teaching Kindergarten through 2nd Grade to help early learners ages 4-7 to develop coding fundamentals in a fun and intuitive way.
The Tynker for Schools K-2 plan is comprised of a series of well designed adventures focused on pre-readers who can learn to tap out computer code as they rescue endangered animals, build their own aquariums, and join a superhero league to restore lost museum art. Students who complete the K-2 plan are then fully prepared to progress to the Tynker Elementary Plan that includes block-coding courses as well as a full-featured Coding Workshop to build games, control toys, program electronics, and build Minecraft add-ons.
"Coding is a critical 21st century literacy skill that we need to teach early learners at the same time they are learning how to read and write," said Srinivas Mandyam, co-founder and CTO of Tynker. "Now, schools and educators can introduce Tynker to their students as early as kindergarten so their students can begin developing programming fundamentals in parallel with reading, writing and arithmetic."
Recent research by Google and Gallup shows that early engagement in scientific activities helps kids develop positive attitudes toward science, build up their STEM "vocabulary," and problem-solve more effectively. Furthermore, the key to getting girls interested in STEM is to encourage them to make things by giving them the appropriate tools.
Tynker's new Tynker for Schools K-2 Plan includes courses designed specifically for young kids, so that early learners can develop basic programming concepts like sequencing, pattern recognition, loops, conditional logic, counters and events—the same coding concepts that form the foundation of mainstream programming languages like Swift, Python and JavaScript.
Preschools and elementary schools who plan to introduce coding in pre-kindergarten through second grade should consider the Tynker K-2 Plan which includes 11 programming courses with over 450 coding activities, automatic assessment, and time-saving classroom management features. Examples of coding activities included in the Tynker K-2 Plan include:
- Icon Coding Adventures—these adventures leverage fun characters and storytelling to introduce coding concepts such as loops and conditional logic to young children who have limited motor skills and are still developing hand-eye coordination. These early learners learn to code using big blocks, pictures, voiceovers and "tap-tap-tap" interactions, without words or drag-and-drop or any other actions they may find too tedious or overwhelming.
- Icon Coding Studios—these adventures allow children to apply their skills in nine creative sandbox environments to make their own coding projects and any combination of code blocks that they put together will generate a result. Each sandbox features friendly voice-guided tutorials, a help system, and word-free picture blocks to motivate kids to create whatever they can imagine.
- Block Coding Adventures—text block coding is the next progressive step in the coding process, and these adventures allow kids to compose programs by sequencing visual code blocks. In these courses, children learn to recognize patterns and break down problems into smaller steps. They also master programming concepts like decomposition, abstraction, algorithmic thinking and debugging as they build their own programs using Tynker Workshop.
The Tynker K-2 Plan offers an excellent environment for kids to learn to code, and then to express themselves through technology—while having fun. Students who complete the K-2 curriculum can progress to the Tynker Elementary Plan that includes additional block-coding courses, as well as a full-featured Coding Workshop to build games, control toys, program electronics, and build Minecraft add-ons. Tynker's Middle and High School curricula offer advanced text-based programming courses in Python, JavaScript, and web development. The Tynker for Schools K-2 Plan is priced at $2,000 USD annually for up to 400 students and includes automatic access to future additions to the Tynker for Schools K-2 Plan curriculum.
About Tynker
Tynker empowers kids of all ages to become Makers by enabling them to develop coding skills to design, develop, and power animations, games, toys, smart devices and more. The company's award-winning platform helps to engage students at home, at school, and on the go, so they develop the critical thinking, reasoning and programming skills that turn them into the Makers of today and tomorrow. Tynker's highly successful STEM teaching platform has been used by one in three U.S. K-8 schools, 90,000 schools globally and over 60 million kids across 150 countries. Tynker's partners include some of the world's most respected brands including Apple, Google, Microsoft, Mattel, PBS, Lego and more. Tynker is accessible from any computer with an Internet browser, as well as via the Tynker and Tynker Junior mobile apps, and offers both a free and paid subscription option. For more information, visit http://www.tynker.com.
SOURCE Tynker
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