Game-based learning, often abbreviated as GBL, is an instructional technique in which students learn through – you guessed it – playing a game! In general, GBL positively affects learning across grade levels and subject areas. This is especially true for students who struggle with more traditional learning methods.
Ready to up your GBL game this school year? Minecraft Education is a great place to start.
In this blog, we’ll explore the benefits of using Minecraft Education in the classroom, common types of Minecraft Education learning activities, and how to get started. If you want to learn more about GBL, check out this course.
Why Minecraft Education
- Minecraft is still wildly popular – it’s one of the few games whose user base is still growing more than a decade after hitting the market. The platform is familiar and beloved (and user-friendly for those brand-new to the game).
- While basic game play in Minecraft Education is the same as in its commercial counterpart, the education edition includes features uniquely designed for learning and classroom implementation. These include in-world learning tools like the camera, portfolio, and writable book, all of which can be exported from the game as learning artifacts. These also include secure multiplayer rooms, teacher permissions, and SSO.
- There is a vast library of free, standards-aligned lessons waiting for you to use!
Types of Learning Activities
- Quests: These are structured learning activities built in Minecraft Education. A world may contain several quests that together create a larger story. For example, in the Coordinate Islands world, students complete four quests related to the coordinate plane. The quests include guided instruction and feedback as they do things like dig for treasure are specific coordinates. Completing all four quests allows students to unlock an epic build space!
- Build challenges: Through build challenges, students can demonstrate learning using a variety of materials and living entities (plants, creatures). Have students build a dream house for a book character and explain their choices, build a structure with the maximum volume using a certain number of blocks, or re-create a historical scene. Many lessons in Minecraft Education incorporate build challenges, too; for example, in the Habitats world, students learn about and then build optimal habitats.
- Coding: Minecraft Education is great for first-time coders. Introduce students to block-based coding using the hours of content available.
Getting Started
- Download Minecraft Education, and play around with a free trial. The Minecraft Education site details options for purchasing and licensing.
- Step up your game with training!
- Give teaching with Minecraft Education a try and share your experiences with other teachers.
Wishing you a wonderful remainder of this semester and hope it is filled with play, creativity, and growth.