What is it about Minecraft that has captivated so many children and adults the world over? How can teachers leverage the game as an instructional tool? This presentation illustrates how Minecraft in the context of quest-based learning can empower student learning and achievement. Drawing on the 7 principles of constructivism, learn how Minecraft can be used as a heutagogical tool in the learning process, whether at home or school.

1. Your Homework Tonight,

2. Dave Guymon
Online middle school
teacher
Graduate student
studying games and
simulations in education
EdTech and games
blogger
@DaveGuymon

3. What is Minecraft?

4. Minecraft is . . .
an open-world sandbox
exploration and building game
that lets you go where you
want, build what you want,
and set your own goals.

5. Who will you be?
INVENTOR
Nomad HOME MAKER
rancher
community planner
PETTY LORD artist
DWARVEN MINER

6. How are teachers and students
using Minecraft for learning?

7. “I don’t let them just play the
game however they want.
They must follow a path I lay
out for them, which allows me
to carry out lesson plans.”
- Joel Levin
“The Minecraft Teacher”

8. Guided by objectives

9. How do you get from
Solve real-world & mathematical problems involving area, volume, and surface area.
to

10. 7Principles of
Constructivist
EDUCATION

11. Establishment of a cooperative,
sociomoral atmosphere

12. Appeal to children’s interests

13. Teach in terms of the kind of
knowledge involved

14. Choose content that challenges
children

15. Promote children’s reasoning

16. Provide adequate time for
investigation and engagement

17. Link ongoing documentation
and assessment with learning

19. Quest-based
Learning

21. How are curriculum-based
quests made?

22. Identify content standards.
Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences
or events using effective technique, well-chosen details,
and well-structured event sequences.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.CCRA.W.3
1 2 3

23. Determine objectives.
SWBAT adopt a specific role in a larger online ecosystem.
SWBAT participate in developing online narrative.
SWBAT record key events from role play in journal.
SWBAT reflect on journal entries to write a story based on narrative.
1 2 3

24. Create quest-based activities
1 2 3
Build a house that reflects
the needs and personality
of your character.
Establish a farm near a
water source that grows 3
different types of plants.
Build a corral and
domesticate at least one
type of animal.
Successfully trade a
commodity with another
player using the chat box to
communicate.
Assemble a functioning
land-based transportation
system with rails and
redstone.
Create a landmark (either
real or imagined) with a
description posted on a
sign.
Concoct a potion that
produces its intended
effect.
Create a hidden entrance
to a space using redstone
and a sensor.
Engage a Creeper, and
survive.

26. Math
Explore principles of area,
volume, and functions by
making tools and building
structures.

27. English
Erect a replica model of
the setting from a
classroom novel.

28. Science
Experiment with networks
and circuits by creating
booby traps.

29. History
Use “mods” to generate a
Minecraft version of
Ancient Rome, and take a
walking tour together.

30. Ask the
Experts

31. “The results were far from
expected.”
- Joel Levin
“The Minecraft Teacher”

32. Individual Accounts
www.minecraft.net
Classroom Accounts
www.minecraftedu.org

34. MinecraftEDU
http://www.minecraftedu.com
FoodCraft at the American Museum of Natural History
http://youtu.be/eQh7_WAOOjw
Learnist
http://learni.st/users/132607/boards/74425-minecraft-research-for-
ncce14
Institute of Play
http://www.instituteofplay.org/awsm/playtime-online/illustrations-
of-minecraft-as-a-classroom-learning-tool/
Lessons 4 Minecraft
http://lessons4minecraft.com/?page_id=289
Additional Resources