Minecraft EDU

An Application of Gaming in the classroom

Miller White

Minecraft is commonly thought of as a simple game played by all age levels for entertainment. However, the individuals at Minecraft EDU have recognized that such a dynamic virtual environment as the game presents could be used for education. This idea of teaching through games is the core of the Freshman Computer Science Course at Hawaii Preparatory Academy during the 2014-2015 school year.

Setup

Teaching with a game requires a body of knowledge and resources not usually found in the standard classroom. The physical requirements include

• Fully functioning computers for every student in the class
• A Responsive and malleable wireless or wired network
• A Host machine on which to base the server

In addition, the instructor must have an advanced, active knowledge of the processes of the game and a working knowledge of other areas of computer technology. The combination of these two information bases allows the instructor to play the game well with his or her students and link the activities in the game to real life. With specific reference to Minecraft and Minecraft EDU, this includes:

• Skilled usage of the control mechanisms innate in the Minecraft EDU Mod
• Skilled maneuvering in the customization of the virtual environment
• Applications of construction skills (i.e. build planning, resource awareness, stylistic development, etc.)
• Application and practice of Redstone Circuits and Logic
• Online management and the creation of a "fun yet effective" work environment

The crux of such a class and an individual(s) heading it is to use the addictive, innately enjoyable experience of gaming to motivate high efficacy in teaching complex computing ideas.

Application

HPA has allowed me, Miller White, and the students a unique opportunity to bring such a class into fruition. With the help of Dr. Bill Wiecking, The Energy Lab hosts a group of freshman students on the first adventure into game-curriculum. The class also contains aspects of computer science independent of Minecraft and Minecraft EDU, however the core of the class is centered around an online environment in the game. An in-depth description of the content, plan, and purpose of the class can be found on the Abstract.

Our Setup in class consists of a high-power Apple Xserve server blade that runs an online server 24/7 that the students can access during and outside of class. This server is administrated by Dr. Bill and myself, controlled via remote desktop from an on-campus computer. The students are all equipped with 2009 Macbook Pro laptops that are connected to a local and isolated wireless network. This amazing technology and the building it is located in only adds to the experience of the class, and allows us to reach as far as we are willing into the world of game-based teaching.

What Are We Doing?

The curriculum of the class is broken down into units, where each unit focuses on a skill or set of skills to be learned. Click the links below to navigate to each units posts.

Unit 1: Installation and Unix Navigation

Unit 2: Building and Basic Redstone

Unit 3: Advanced Redstone Circuitry and Logic