Game-Based Learning can be defined as, "...a type of game play that has defined learning outcomes. Generally, game based learning is designed to balance the subject matter with gameplay and the ability of the player to retain and apply said subject matter to the real world." (Editorial Team, 2013). One of the major benefits of Game-Based Learning is that it is highly engaging and students absolutely love participating in games. At times, students aren't even aware of the fact that they are learning, even though Game-Based Learning provides copious amounts of learning opportunities. An overlooked benefit of Game-Based Learning is that it also provides an opportunity for students to learn in a collaborative setting. Games often involve teams or scenarios where a problem has to be solved. Game-Based Learning is not only enjoyable, it also gives students authentic experiences in working with one another.
Walking around any school building in America will probably give you hints as to what the popular game of the day is. Nowadays, you may see T-shirts with "creepers" or students talking about getting together online after school to create any number of designs on an online platform. These students are talking about the game Minecraft.
Minecraft is an online computer game and is also available for the XBOX and iPad. The object of the game is to use various materials to build creations in different online worlds. Users have the option of playing "survival mode" or "create mode". One amazing thing of Minecraft that can be applied to education is the collaborative aspect. “Some children are unsettled and struggle to get on with others...put them in MinecraftEdu, and they’re working together, cooperative and focused" (Edge Staff, 2012). The more research one does about Minecraft in education, the more one can see all the potential benefits of implementing it into some type of Game-Based learning in the classroom.
Some teachers may be reluctant to implement Minecraft into their classrooms because of their unfamiliarity with the gaming platform. Despite this apprehension, it is crucial that teachers see the benefits of using Minecraft in a variety of ways in school. "There’s a science teacher in Australia who builds Minecraft models of cells and gets the kids to roleplay as messenger RNA inside them. A language teacher in Denmark asks his students to build and chat in English, and told me that it’s been the most effective way to teach high-level mastery of the language he’s ever seen" (Edge Staff, 2012). Exploring more about Minecraft and MinecraftEDU can only be beneficial for educators, as it will provide engaging, collaborative learning opportunities for all students.
Below is an informational, albeit a bit lengthy, webinar focused on an introduction to Minecraft and its uses in the educational setting.
Walking around any school building in America will probably give you hints as to what the popular game of the day is. Nowadays, you may see T-shirts with "creepers" or students talking about getting together online after school to create any number of designs on an online platform. These students are talking about the game Minecraft.
Minecraft is an online computer game and is also available for the XBOX and iPad. The object of the game is to use various materials to build creations in different online worlds. Users have the option of playing "survival mode" or "create mode". One amazing thing of Minecraft that can be applied to education is the collaborative aspect. “Some children are unsettled and struggle to get on with others...put them in MinecraftEdu, and they’re working together, cooperative and focused" (Edge Staff, 2012). The more research one does about Minecraft in education, the more one can see all the potential benefits of implementing it into some type of Game-Based learning in the classroom.
Some teachers may be reluctant to implement Minecraft into their classrooms because of their unfamiliarity with the gaming platform. Despite this apprehension, it is crucial that teachers see the benefits of using Minecraft in a variety of ways in school. "There’s a science teacher in Australia who builds Minecraft models of cells and gets the kids to roleplay as messenger RNA inside them. A language teacher in Denmark asks his students to build and chat in English, and told me that it’s been the most effective way to teach high-level mastery of the language he’s ever seen" (Edge Staff, 2012). Exploring more about Minecraft and MinecraftEDU can only be beneficial for educators, as it will provide engaging, collaborative learning opportunities for all students.
Below is an informational, albeit a bit lengthy, webinar focused on an introduction to Minecraft and its uses in the educational setting.
References
CLTV. (2013) Introduction to minecraft in education. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dNQIZs5RbHU
Edge Staff. (2012) Minecraft in the classroom. Retrieved from http://www.edge- online.com/features/minecraft-in-the-classroom/
Editorial Team. (2013) What is GBL (Game-Based Learning)? Retrieved from http://edtechreview.in/dictionary/298-what-is-game-based-learning
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