MinecraftEDU

MinecraftEDU is an educational version of the popular game. For people that are unfamiliar with gameplay in Minecraft often compare it to virtual legos. Players can find materials, build, and create. This aspect of Minecraft makes it a natural addition to the classroom, and with the management features of MinecraftEDU, it becomes a perfect place to allow your students to learn!

This course is designed to walk you through the processes of logging in, navigating the world, managing your students, and finally creating your own content within the world of MinecraftEDU. Throughout the course, you will be given topics to think about and plan in accordance with your classroom needs. Hopefully this course will allow you to both experience the game as your students will AND to begin to develop meaningful ways that this can be used in your classroom. After most sections, there will be a checklist, assessment or discussion board. This is all for your benefit and totally voluntary.

If you have any questions - as always - just ask! I am happy to help!!

In this section, you will be guided through the process of logging in and starting the MinecraftEDU program. As you progress through the process, begin developing ideas about how this process will work in your classroom with your students.

1. Users need to log in to the iMac or MacBook with the Minecraft User log in. (The program is not available for other user accounts.) This information will be sent to you in an email.
2. Click on the MinecraftEDU icon to open the program and begin the log in procedure.
3. Watch the video below for a log in procedure walkthrough.
4. When you have successfully completed the log in process, please fill out the linked Google Form to verify task completion.

1. Users need to log in to the iMac or MacBook with the Minecraft User log in. (The program is not available for other user accounts.) This information will be sent to you in an email.
2. Click on the MinecraftEDU icon to open the program and begin the log in procedure.
3. Watch the video below for a log in procedure walkthrough.
4. When you have successfully completed the log in process, please fill out the linked Google Form to verify task completion.

Now that you have become familiar with the log in procedures that are necessary for both student and teacher users, please consider the specific process that you would need to use for your classroom with your students. For each group this may look different depending on how, when and where your students will be given access to MinecraftEDU.

Please utilize the linked MinecraftEDU Padlet to participate in discussion with your fellow teachers about what works, what doesn't, and how to best prepare your students.

In this section of instruction, you will be moving through the 5 main zones of the Tutorial World. This will enable players to learn the controls and features of this virtual world.

This first zone of the Tutorial World will walk players through the basics of MinecraftEDU. Players will learn to move forward, backward, left, right, and jumping while changing the viewpoint of their avatar. Players will also learn about spawn points and how to read signs and informational posts. The video below is a walkthrough of this zone with tips for easy navigation.

When you have successfully completed this zone, please take a screenshot of the sign welcoming you to the Training Center (Zone 2). Please click the attached link to access the Google Form where you will be prompted to enter the URL for that photo along with completing the checklist to verify completion of this task.

The second zone of the Tutorial World is designed to give players experience with more complex movements and actions within MinecraftEDU. Players are tasked with following a path towards a training center building that begins the workout with going up a narrow set of stairs. Using the skills from zone 1, players will be jumping across a crevasse (two actually) and learning to swim. Once players have finished the obstacle course, they are challenged with finding their way out of this area (through a locked door) and into Zone 3. The first video below is a walkthrough of Zone 2, while the following video gives an insider look into how to escape.

When you have successfully completed this zone, please take a screenshot of the sign welcoming you to the Brickyard (Zone 3). Please click the attached link to access the Google Form where you will be prompted to enter the URL for that photo along with completing the checklist to verify completion of this task.

This 3rd zone of the Tutorial World allows for some free exploration time for players. This serves three purposes. First, it allows players to hone their navigation skills. Second, players are allowed to see some of the features that can be added as a part of MinecraftEDU. And finally, this allows players a place to roam while waiting on classmates that need a little extra time to complete the Obstacle Course. This zone requires another problem be solved to open the locked door to gain access to the next zone. Players will need to locate the door and determine the procedure for gaining access. The first video below is a walkthrough of Zone 3 with tips and tricks, while the second is a sneak peek of how to escape!

When you have successfully completed this zone, please take a screenshot of the sign welcoming you to Zone 4 - Digging and Building. Please click the attached link to access the Google Form where you will be prompted to enter the URL for that photo along with completing the checklist to verify completion of this task.

In this 4th zone of the MinecraftEDU Tutorial World, players learn to mine and craft (catchy, I know!). Here players learn to destroy blocks to pick up materials that can be used to build structures. In this zone the goal is to mine enough dirt to build a staircase that will allow the player to move on to the next zone. One thing that might draw your eye - there are unique MinecraftEDU blocks in this area that allow students to destroy and build. These blocks allow the teacher to determine the interactions that students will have with their environment and prevents the destruction (even accidentally) of the rest of the structures in the Tutorial World. The video below is a walkthrough of Zone 4 with tips and tricks.

When you have successfully completed this zone, please take a screenshot of the sign welcoming you to Zone 5 - Shapes. Please click the attached link to access the Google Form where you will be prompted to enter the URL for that photo along with completing the checklist to verify completion of this task.

This last major zone of the MinecraftEDU Tutorial World give players the opportunity to hone their building and mining skills on more complex structures. This zone is divided into 8 sections allowing for teams to work together. Each section has a trunk with tools and torches to help the players accomplish their goals. Players are tasked with recreating 8 structures from gravel, sand, dirt and cobblestone. Each of these materials has different properties and characteristics. This zone gives players the opportunity to learn more about their features. Upon completion of the shapes, players must use torches to light their way out of the dark tunnel and on to the campground. The video below is a walkthrough of Zone 5 with tips and tricks.

When you have successfully completed this zone, please take a screenshot of the a beautiful view of the campgrounds. Please click the attached link to access the Google Form where you will be prompted to enter the URL for that photo along with completing the checklist to verify completion of this task.

In this section of instruction, you will participate in several activities that will show you a few of the possible ways that MinecraftEDU can be used for instruction, for assessment, and to demonstrate knowledge. As you work through these examples, reflect on the appeal that game-based learning has for your students and ways to harness that power for your class.

For the first task in this section, you will be taking advantage of the unlimited materials in Creative Mode and building a house. Use your imagination to add unusual features and really make this project your own! You will have access to every building and decorating material that MinecraftEDU has to offer. Use your imagination!

This is a great first project for your students. Building projects such as this are great additions to many subject areas - landmarks, bridges, historical recreations and more!

Linked below is a detailed procedure and rubric outlining the parameters and expectations for this activity.

This is the 2nd task in this section and will introduce you to the idea of using MinecraftEDU to relate information, even in MATH! For this activity, you will be in Creative Mode, having unlimited access to all building and decorating materials. After either gathering data or receiving a sample set of data, you will create a 3D vertical bar graph to relate the information. Use your imagination and let your creativity out!

This is an example that can easily be adapted to many skills and topics - graphing equations, flat and 3D shapes, arrays, and more!

Linked below is a detailed procedure and rubric outlining the parameters and expectations for this activity.

This activity will give you experience in using MinecraftEDU for creative, artistic, scaled representations. Again, you will be using Creative Mode so that you have unlimited access to all building and decorating materials. After finding a picture to recreate, you will determine the appropriate scale that will be needed to make a vertical representation.

Hopefully these last few activities have shown you a little of what MinecraftEDU can do. The next step in this game-based learning journey starts with a discussion about what MinecraftEDU can do for YOUR curriculum and YOUR students. Begin thinking of lessons, units and standards that could use the creative, open-ended, building world of MinecraftEDU. Click the link below to join the conversation about the next step!

Learning the management tools is only the first step. Applying the right tool in the right situation is the end goal. Click on the linked discussion board to give your opinion on settings that would be appropriate for each situation.

We are coming to the end of this training course. It is time to incorporate all that you have learned about playing and working in MinecraftEDU and developing a way to utilize this for your class. Goal 5 involves the creation of a lesson that you will be able to use with your students and possibly (please!) share with other MinecraftEDU teachers.

Now that you have experience some sample activities in MinecraftEDU, think of all of the possible ways that it can be used to add depth and engagement to your curriculum. Looking at the standards that are given for your subject/grade level, brainstorm a list of 5-10 that MinecraftEDU could enhance. Click on the discussion board link below to join the conversation.

Looking at the brainstorming discussion board, choose one standard or unit to use as a guide to create a MinecraftEDU lesson. Think through the following items in relation to this lesson idea:

• What standard is this lesson teaching?
• What product will the students be creating?
• How will you assess the students' knowledge?
• What settings or management tools will you need to use?

After determining the answers, please click the link below to submit for task completion. There is also a link below to a discussion board to post any questions, comments or concerns about the roll out of your lesson. Other teachers can give advice, tips, and tricks to help your lesson run smoothly!

Once your lesson has been determined, it is time to develop the virtual world area where your students will complete their assignment. After turning on the building tools in the teacher management area (push P to access), design an area that will be suitable for your lesson. Remember to include signs and information blocks to communicate instructions in MC or develop a plan for sharing that information in RL before the students enter MinecraftEDU. It is always a great idea to have examples ready - and it is a great way to flush out any issues that might arise.

Upon completion, create a screencast video using Quicktime to share a walkthrough of your lesson area. Upload your movie to your Google Drive account and share the URL on the Google Form linked below.

Now that your lesson idea has been chosen, guidelines and settings determined, and a build site created, your last task will be to create a lesson plan to tie all of those elements together. It is a goal that our district will share these plans to create a library of lesson ideas that all MinecraftEDU classes can access.

Below is a link to a Google Document. You will be prompted to make a copy for yourself of the lesson plan template. Upon completion of this lesson, please share the URL in the linked form so that your lesson plan can be added to the library.

Please let me know if I can help in any way! I would also love to hear any suggestions that would make this training more beneficial.

Email: jjames@putnamcityschools.org
Phone: 405.495.5200