Today, we were given the task to explore the application ‘Minecraft’ as a learner and think about how games-based learning can be used in the classroom. Therefore, we were to work in groups to create a lesson or lessons that incorporate games-based learning. We were to use ‘Minecraft education’ to create our lesson(s) idea.

Initially, we began messing around with Minecraft education to get an idea of how it works and how difficult it really is. We were able to gain an understanding of how to move characters, build using blocks and how to construct an end product; similar to what we would expect the children to make.

I had a small amount of previous knowledge on working with Minecraft, however, I had not used Minecraft education before, although, I did not notice a huge difference between the two applications. Additionally, my previous knowledge on Minecraft was gained using an iPad, however, today we used the Minecraft education application on a laptop. Therefore, I had to get used to the controls and read through the ‘how to play’ instructions, before creating anything. This meant that, using this application was initially frustrating and rather time consuming but was quite interesting and almost therapeutic once I understood what I was doing.

Minecraft is a well-known game that was very popular years ago, much like today’s ‘Fortnite’ craze. As explained by Magbook (2014, p. 3) “Minecraft is a worldwide phenomenon. Since it was first released back in 2011, it’s been taken to the hearts of thousands and thousands of gamers.” Therefore, for many children they would find this lesson more enjoyable and interesting due to the addition of games and would like the overall idea of ‘games-based learning’. As stated by Bray (2012, p. 9) “Games-based Learning has the most transformational impact when it is combined with good learning and teaching.” This would overall lead to a successful lesson.

We decided that we were going to tie numerous curricular areas in our lesson. We looked at inter-disciplinary learning (IDL) which incorporates many curricular areas into the one lesson. The curricular areas included in our idea were social studies, literacy, technologies, numeracy/mathematics and expressive arts (with the creative design side of creating their castles on Minecraft). Our overall idea was able to be split into many lessons; first lessons would look at the history of castles all around the world and the part they played in history with their importance. This would then lead onto the children using Minecraft with clear instructions on what their task was which is important as explained by Beauchamp (2012, p. 9) “Not only do [teachers] have to become familiar with the games, they also have to ensure that they make clear the way in which they want for the game to used.”

The children would be given the task to create their own castles with many important features which they have learned about, such as, the moat. They should also have the ability to talk about what types of materials they are using and why. The children would also use this games-based learning to use the different controls and widgets of technology whilst focusing on Minecraft. Once the children have created their castles, they would write an imaginative story using their characters and features they created. This would be used to show the children’s understanding of medieval times with games-based learning being a way to secure their understanding in a fun way. Another lesson; the children would create a 2D replica of their Minecraft castles using 2D shapes and should be able to explain their replica and the shapes used, as well as different features of the shapes, such as; how many sides a shape has, which would incorporate mathematics. All these lessons would overall relate to social studies with learning about the history of medieval castles with the foundational learning being games-based learning and ICT.

The children will also be working in groups for certain tasks and which would help them develop many skills. As explained by Beauchamp (2012) states that the skills that could be developed during the use of ICT games were: strategic thinking, planning, communication, application of numbers, negotiating skills, group decision making and data handling skills. Additionally, I would add that the skill of patience would be developed during these lessons as at times it was rather frustrating at times.

Some of the more in-depth skills developed would be:

Observing, describing and recording (planning)
Comparing and contrasting to draw valid conclusions
Development of curiosity and problem-solving skills and capacity to take initiatives
Planning and reviewing investigation strategies
Developing the capacity for critical thinking through accessing, analysing and using information from a wide variety of sources
Developing an awareness of sequence and chronology (imaginative story writing)
Presentation skills- oral, written, multi-media

As a group, we decided that we were going to aim our idea and lessons towards first level. Therefore, there are many Curriculum for Excellence Experiences and Outcomes that would tie in well with our idea and lessons as seen below;

I have explored simple 3D objects and 2D shapes and can identify, name and describe their features using appropriate vocabulary. MTH 1-16a

I can explore and discuss how and why different shapes fit together and create a tiling pattern with them. MTH 1-16b

I can use evidence to recreate the story of a place or individual of local historical interest. SOC 1-03a

I can use exploration and imagination to solve design problems related to real-life situations. EXA 1-06a

I can write independently, use appropriate punctuation and order and link my sentences in a way that makes sense. LIT 1-22a

I am learning to use my notes and other types of writing to help me understand information and ideas, explore problems, generate and develop ideas or create new text. LIT 1-25a

Using digital technologies responsibly I can access, retrieve and use information to support, enrich or extend learning in different contexts. TCH 1-02a

Additionally, as student teachers, we identified how these lessons would help children become successful learners, confident individuals, responsible citizens and effective contributors, as listed below;

Successful learners:

Use literacy, communication and numeracy skills
Use technology for learning
Think creatively and independently
Learn independently and as part of a group
Link and apply different kinds of learning in new situations

Confident individuals

Achieve success in different areas of activity

Responsible citizens

Develop knowledge and understanding of the world and Scotland’s place in it (Scottish castles)

Effective contributors

Create and develop
Solve problems

Additionally, some of the underlying principles which would tie into the lessons, such as: challenge/enjoy, relevance, progression, personalisation and choice.

At the end of today’s session, we were given the opportunity to present our idea to the rest of the class. I felt that this was rather useful as it not only allowed us to hear other ideas but also receive feedback. Most of which, for our group, was positive.

‘Digital Natives’ as explained; “Our students today are all ‘native speakers’ of the digital language of computers, video games and the Internet.” (Prensky, 2001, p. 1). Ultimately, I think that children being ‘digital natives’ will benefit significantly them as they have to ability to grasp topics and gain a good understanding of them with minimal issues.

As, this week, there is no physical end product (as we just had some practice creations on Minecraft and our ideas written down) that there is not a lot that we can improve one. Therefore, I feel that one way we could prepare better for our idea/lessons would be to fully create our own story, 2D Shape model, etc. and probably a better castle not just the small practice one we made, as shown below.

In conclusion, I would say that today’s session was very useful as it allowed us to explore the application ‘Minecraft education’ as see how it, along with other games-based learning applications could be used in the classroom and can help enhance learning as well as teaching. It can also make the lesson more enjoyable and useful.