How Do I Get It?
With so many device options, it should be possible to find a version of the program for almost any device situation.
You can visit https://minecraft.net/en for specific details associated with each download. There is also an EDU version available on some platforms. For more information on this version, you can visit www.minecraftedu.com |
How/Where Do I Start?
Diagnostics
Many students play Minecraft on their own consoles and devices recreationally. Collecting diagnostic data from your students regarding their comfort levels and skills with the program should be your first step. Once you know how much they know, you can decide how much technical instruction they need.
Basic Game Play
In order to be productive and constructive with the game, students will need to know how to use it. Depending on your class needs identified in your diagnostics, this could take the form of a whole group walk through on the projector followed by independent exploration time or independent exploration time facilitated by a checklist of tasks they must learn how to complete. The in-game tutorial will be an extremely valuable resource for guiding students through the process at their own pace.
Purposeful Game Play
You will need to decide what the end goal is for your students. Will they create something from scratch to demonstrate their learning? Will they use their character to explore pre-constructed real life buildings? Will they interact with others in their Minecraft world? Is their focus on the survival process, or on a final product?
Reflective Consolidation
With students engaging in independent learning, it is important to bring everyone back together and have students share questions, comments, and reflections from their learning and exploration. Especially at the primary level, students need to learn how to talk about their learning as part of metacognition. Being able to share their creations can also add an element of excitement to the process.
Many students play Minecraft on their own consoles and devices recreationally. Collecting diagnostic data from your students regarding their comfort levels and skills with the program should be your first step. Once you know how much they know, you can decide how much technical instruction they need.
Basic Game Play
In order to be productive and constructive with the game, students will need to know how to use it. Depending on your class needs identified in your diagnostics, this could take the form of a whole group walk through on the projector followed by independent exploration time or independent exploration time facilitated by a checklist of tasks they must learn how to complete. The in-game tutorial will be an extremely valuable resource for guiding students through the process at their own pace.
Purposeful Game Play
You will need to decide what the end goal is for your students. Will they create something from scratch to demonstrate their learning? Will they use their character to explore pre-constructed real life buildings? Will they interact with others in their Minecraft world? Is their focus on the survival process, or on a final product?
Reflective Consolidation
With students engaging in independent learning, it is important to bring everyone back together and have students share questions, comments, and reflections from their learning and exploration. Especially at the primary level, students need to learn how to talk about their learning as part of metacognition. Being able to share their creations can also add an element of excitement to the process.
Considerations for K-6 Implementation
- Students will need structure. Checklists and step-by-step instructions supported with images will help keep students on track.
- Cooperative learning and teamwork will be advantageous, particularly in the younger end of this age category. When they can work together to figure out what to do they are building problem solving and social skills while supporting each other, making them less likely to get stuck.
- Having additional adult or older student supports in the initial stages will help manage teacher stress and help students be productive and on-task more quickly. This could be an excellent opportunity to have younger students work with older students as buddies.
- Since Minecraft has applications in all grades K-12, using it as a tool in the elementary grades equips students with a tool they can potentially use throughout their education.