Host Manisha Snoyer dives deep into the world of game-based learning with Rohan Mahimker, co-CEO and founder of Prodigy Education. They delve into Prodigy's mission to make learning math engaging through game-based learning. From uncovering the origins of Prodigy and the concept of mastery-based learning to sharing inspiring success stories, the episode encapsulates a revolutionary approach to education. The discussion also explores Prodigy's commitment to providing free educational content for children of all socio-economic backgrounds and their plans to expand beyond math. The conversation ends on a high note with Rohan sharing his passion for racing and a hint at a new racing-inspired Prodigy game.
Rohan Mahimker (@RohanMahimker) is the co-CEO and founder of Prodigy Education, an innovative platform that has transformed the way children learn mathematics. A graduate in Engineering from the University of Waterloo, Rohan's vision is to make learning math as engaging as playing a video game. Under his leadership, Prodigy has aligned itself with state and provincial curricula, reaching millions of students worldwide. His commitment to free access to educational content emphasizes equality and accessibility.
Connect with Rohan Mahimker: Website | X | LinkedIn
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Time Codes:
00:00:00 — Manisha Snoyer introduces the podcast and her guest, Rohan Mahimker, the co-CEO and founder of Prodigy Education.
00:03:25 — Rohan Mahimker acknowledges Prodigy as a core curriculum resource used by homeschooling families. Manisha speaks about its utilization during the pandemic.
00:07:33 — The crucial role that professional educators have played in aligning Prodigy Game's content with classroom curricula.
00:09:00 — Rohan explains how mastery-based learning excels in math. He discusses its cumulative nature and effectiveness in student progression.
00:18:23 — A powerful example of Prodigy's positive impact on socioeconomically disadvantaged students in Toronto is shared.
00:21:45 — The conversation shifts to parents creating avatars in Prodigy to play with their kids, promoting education as a family activity.
00:24:43 — Rohan and Manisha discuss the importance of growth mindset in learning, and how Prodigy Game fosters this by praising learning instead of just accomplishments.
00:27:40 — Discussion about screen time, and acknowledgement that Prodigy Game strikes a balance between being engaging and not overly addictive.
00:31:13 — Rohan elaborates on how Prodigy's business model allows any child to progress through the entire grade 1 to 8 math curriculum for free. Manisha emphasizes the importance of reaching under-resourced communities with Prodigy.
00:37:37 — Rohan discusses the educational standards and the cumulative, and linear nature of math
00:40:20 — The upcoming Prodigy app is discussed, promising to benefit students, parents, and teachers. Prodigy English is introduced as an innovative approach to English learning.
00:49:00 — Manisha narrates the transformation of a teenage girl from hating math to excelling in it, thanks to Prodigy.
00:53:52 — Rohan shares his personal learning journey outside of his professional life, emphasizing his interest in racing and the physics involved in it.
This podcast is made possible through a generous grant from the Vela Education Fund
VELA Education Fund is catalyzing a vibrant alternative education ecosystem. VELA provides trust-based funding to entrepreneurs, fosters community-building and knowledge-sharing, and increases visibility through storytelling that promotes cultural awareness and acceptance of the out-of-system space. Today, VELA serves the largest community of out-of-system education entrepreneurs in the country, with over 2,000 community members. About half of VELA’s community members operate small learning environments, and the other half are ecosystem and community builders offering direct services and support across the out-of-system space. Learn more at velaedfund.org.