Although it may not seem likely, Minecraft can be a valuable educational tool. If you are not familiar with Minecraft, it is a game where players can create or destroy their environment using 3D blocks; gameplay can also involve survival, combat, crafting, and gathering. Minecraft EDU is a version specifically designed for classroom use and has been used for many years now in Cloquitz Middle School, this was initiated by students for students.
Minecraft EDU can be used as an alternative to a diorama and in cross-subject lessons:
- Social Sciences: civilizations, survival
- Science: ecosystems, sustainability
- Maths: Cartesian coordinates (x,y,z)
In class today we had the opportunity to experience multiple modes of Minecraft and we had to learn the controls and actions. We also worked through a maze, an obstacle course, use teamwork, how to dig and build, creating different shapes, problem-solving steps. Some issues, or learning curves for students is that it’s often challenging for them to read directions, they will play on without reading the directions. However, it’s not bad, they will eventually end up in the same place although slower.
Some students can suffer from vertigo or nausea, a way to help with those symptoms is to minimize the screen, or even to take a minute away from the screen.
Another issue is that there are no voice-chat options, students would have to use another program using screen-capture to record what they are doing. It’s another separate skill for the students to learn. MineCraft also costs money for a log-in and there are currently issues with protection and privacy for SD 61 although they pay for a server.
Featured Image retrieved from Minecraft Education Edition
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