Implementation
In this section, you will observe, and reflect on the different ways that teachers in various subject areas have used MinecraftEDU in their teachings. We have gathered videos of Minecraft being used in different ways across 4 different subject areas. For this section of the OER, choose 2 different subject areas you are interested in, and watch the videos supplied for the subject area.
Afterwards, use the padlet to discuss some of the discussion questions that accompany the videos. At the conclusion of this section, we will regroup on the ETEC522 forums for a more nuanced discussion on the implementation of MinecraftEDU.
After you have read each of the 4 intro paragraphs, please follow buttons to 2 of the subject area sections to continue work.
Afterwards, use the padlet to discuss some of the discussion questions that accompany the videos. At the conclusion of this section, we will regroup on the ETEC522 forums for a more nuanced discussion on the implementation of MinecraftEDU.
After you have read each of the 4 intro paragraphs, please follow buttons to 2 of the subject area sections to continue work.
Section 1: Teaching Science with MinecraftEDU
Minecraft allows educators to use virtual reality to demonstrate concepts, and to construct 3D models of objects that are usually presented in 2D on flat surfaces. Using the flexibility of Minecraft, instructors can allow students a safe arena, with unlimited resources, to complete labs in order to gain hands on experience with taught concepts. Below are various videos demonstrating how Minecraft was used in the subject of Science.
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Section 2: Teaching Mathematics using Minecraft
In mathematics, instructors can use Minecraft to build physical representations of abstract ideas, which could make difficult ideas easier to grasp for many students. As opposed to learning, and demonstrating understanding by solving problems on pencil and paper, Minecraft allows students the opportunity to learn, and demonstrate knowledge by building, or modifying objects in the game.
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Section 3: Teaching History using Minecraft
Using MinecraftEDU, teachers, or students, can create a virtual reality to visit locations, or different time periods that are not easy accessible. The models allow an interactive way of discussing history, people, and places all in the confines of the classroom.
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Section 4: Teaching Shakespeare using Minecraft
Minecraft allows students to study literature by creating models and reenacting the details and stories they have read. The result is a deeper level of engagement as students are forced to analyze prose to determine details, and look at characters, and their relationships carefully in order to reconstruct them using the virtual world of Minecraft.
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Discussion Question #2
The power of using Minecraft for education comes with from the game’s malleability, and open world concept. By now, you would have seen different examples of teachers using Minecraft to deliver lessons, to create collaborative projects, to allow for roleplaying, to create an area for exploration and discovery, and to bridge different disciplinary areas together to engage students of all types and interests in ways not possible using more traditional approaches. What is often difficult to see firsthand however, is the work required of instructors to learn Minecraft, to find, and adapt game resources appropriately to teach on a level appropriate to their needs. At the end of the day, Minecraft is a game. With its most popular player base in the elementary school age. After all that you have seen, as an EVA, do you believe MinecraftEDU, and by extension, the game based learning opportunities offered within, to be a valuable educational tool worth investing time and effort in?
Please click this button to be taken back to the Wordpress forum and participate in one of our Discussion Questions
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If you're ready to learn about some implications of using MinecraftEDU and the future of the application, click the button below!
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