Minecraft EDU:

Where Gaming
Meets Education

Erica Carrillo

The
Idea

BIG

Multiplayer online game of

survival
Engages students to let
their imagination soar,
while still learning
academic content
https://www.youtube.com
/watch?v=RI0BN5AWOe8

It Supports Our
Vision
Always looking for ways to
get innovative forms that
support 21st century skills
Minecraft fits this description
and it engages students
because students love to play
it

How Will This

Work With
Varying Ages?
MinecraftEDU gives
teachers control of the
server
When teachers control the
server, it is suitable for all
ages.
Equitable access will be
provided by placing the
server in a general location,
like the Media Center.

Equipment
Needed
One computer with server
software
Cost of Software is $300
Up to 50 computers needed to
install the client software in labs
for student use

Funding Sources

Teachers could
apply for
educational grants
from corporations
like Cisco and
Siemans
Also, discretionary
funds could be
utilized

Tech Support For

Users

Overall, low tech support is needed

Teachers require 1-2 hours of time to
learn the skills and how the server works.
Most students already know how to play
the game, while others will usually be
quick to learn.
Minecraft EDU has a tutorial world for

Limitations of
MinecraftEDU
Some parents will be
concerned until they
understand that the school
EDU version has limits and
teacher restrictions
Some parents and teachers
also voice apprehension of
gaming as an instructional
activity

Content Standards
Teachers can create custom
mapswith student building areas
and integrated content and
assignments.
Featuresan embedded set of
activities (puzzles, building,
platforming) that can easily take a
few class periods and ends in a
crafting area that's waiting to be
transformed into a lesson.

Student Technology
Standards
The ISTE Standards covered by
Minecraft EDU:
#1- Creativity and Innovation
#2-Communication and
Collaboration
#4-Critical Thinking, Problem
Solving, and Decision Making
#5- Digital Citizenship
#6- Technology Operations and
Concepts

Researched-Based
Learning Standards
Students could research designs
of roller coasters in order to add
to the Amusement Park World
(teacher created)
Students could critique the roller
coaster designs for effectiveness
based on research

Authentic Learning

Students take on many real

world roles throughout
Minecraft EDU to support
Authentic Learning
During a roller coaster unit,
students could take on the
role of architect, physicist,
quality control, park
designer.

Hi gh

er O r
de r T
h
Skills inking

Students will create,

synthesize, design, and
analyze while completing
tasks using Minecraft EDU

n
o
i
t
a
i
t
n
e
r
e
Diff
Minecraft EDU allows students to work on
varying levels.
Teachers can design different tasks for
ability groups
Students can work in groups which allows
peer helpers to collaborate to complete
tasks
Teachers can ensure that at least one
member of the group is proficient in the
use of Minecraft EDU

Collaborative Learning

Minecraft EDU promotes

collaborative learning
through problem solving
skills.
Teams can be formed to
design or add to virtual
worlds
Students can assume
different roles within the
group to accomplish
assigned tasks

Research on Effectiveness of Minecraft

EDU in a School Environment
Engagement
Is the product stimulating, entertaining, and engrossing? Will kids want to return?
Everything kids love about Minecraft -- the learning, making, and socializing - is still here,
albeit under tighter teacher control. Students will enjoy and engage with teacher-made
lessons that incorporate the game.
Pedagogy
Is learning content seamlessly baked-in, and do kids build conceptual understanding? Is
the product adaptable and empowering? Will skills transfer?
A deep set of dashboard features gives teachers near-total control over lessons and
students inside Minecraft.
Support
Does the product take into account learners of varying abilities, skill levels, and learning
styles? Does it address both struggling and advanced students?
Comes with a superb in-game tutorial and lets teachers summon students for lessons and
feedback. MinecraftEdu has its own wiki and offers support on installing maps and mods
that add academic content.

Change Model (CBAM)

Levels of Use of the Innovation: Typical Behaviors

Levels of UseBehavioral Indicators of Level
VI. Renewal
The user is seeking more effective alternatives to the
established use of the innovation.
V. Integration The user is making deliberate efforts to coordinate with
others in using the innovation.
IVB. Refinement The user is making changes to increase outcomes.
IVA. Routine The user is making few or no changes and has an
established pattern of use.
III. Mechanical The user is making changes to better organize use of the
innovation.
II. Preparation The user has definite plans to begin using the innovation.
0I. Orientation The user is taking the initiative to learn more about the
innovation.
0 . Non-Use The user has no interest, is taking no action.
From Taking Charge of Change by Shirley M. Hord, William L. Rutherford,
Leslie Huling-Austin, and Gene E. Hall, 1987. Published by the Association
for Supervision and Curriculum Development (703) 549-9110 Reprinted
with permission.

CBAM and
Minecraft EDU
To be successful,
teachers need to reach
Refinement,
Integration, and
Renewal.

What Do Users Say?

Colin Gallagher
March 27, 2013 at 8:53 pm
You can only make your own
mind up when you see what
teachers and students have
done. This is the purpose
behind my YouTube channel
Minechat where we
interview teachers in their
Minecraft world and discuss
how they use it in teaching
and learning.
https://www.youtube.com/pl
aylist?list=PLD3F726E583E5

Communicati
on
An informational letter or email
would be sent to parents and
students to explain use of Minecraft
EDU in the classroom

Reflection
While completing this presentation, I
became very excited. I can see
myself using this next year in my
Science and Social Studies classes. I
know from my two younger children
how engaging it is, and I can only
imagine how my students would be
motivated and thrilled to complete
assignments in this format. I plan to
get training as soon as I return to

Resources
Dunn, J. (2013, March 27).
Edudemic - Pros and Cons of
Minecraft EDU. . Retrieved July
15, 2014, from
http://www.edudemic.com/
Minecraftedu.com images and
video
Interview with Angela GulaLittle Mill Middle School,
Instructional Technology Coach