•Look around
•Move in all directions
•Jump
•Get in and out of the water, and swim
•Break blocks and place blocks (build)
•Use a torch to light your way
•Break bricks to “mine” for things
•Pick stuff up, Put stuff down
•Fly (If you log in as a teacher, go to the personal menu by entering 'p', and then enter creative mode)
Did you find the campground and build an arch?
Post your reflection, including pleas for help and celebrations of your accomplishments, by Tuesday, January 21 at 5:00 PM.
Were we supposed to stop at the place with all the little signs that were numbered? and build something to get us to the exit? and then skip over the area where the information posts say to work in teams to build the shapes, or are we supposed to just build those shapes on our own and then go to the campground? Maybe I'll create a new post with what I'm talking about or just wait until Monday.
ReplyDeleteI have all the skills except flying. I do love to fly in games though; it REALLY helps me with orientation. I will be re-entering the world this afternoon to work on my arch. I honestly thought I was going to have to give up my game time for classes this semester. This is an unexpected treat!!
ReplyDeleteI am having a fun time learning with minecraft. It's great because I have two boys who are always so willing to help me. They have all these formulas that they know, so it helps me to be able to create things I need. Thanks Colin, for helping me out when I was building my arch, it was so nice to be able to fly. Things were so much easier to build. I did figure out how to do everything on the list, either by myself or with a little bit of help from an instructor or a family member. Building a house was a great assignment. Everyone is at different areas of learning this game, so it gave us a lot of time to figure out the program and just play around for a bit. I was grateful to hear all the conversation, it helped us to hear many sides of this. I am really enjoying this, and though I don't have access to an entire class to do this with, I will be using my two boys instead. They are totally excited about it and I am sure it will be a learning experience for us all.
ReplyDeleteI built a two story house with a back yard barn where I put chickens, horses, cows and sheep. I even found a cat, which I fed a fish so she showed me affection with hearts. My son then taught me how to create fireworks, which I set off a bunch in celebration of the night. This was my first time really getting in there and doing something that wasn't just looking around. I am glad we had this meeting tonight to just explore, it helped out so much. It also forced me to have the time to play the game. I've also been talking to my husband about STEM and how this game does hit all areas. I am excited to jump into my first STEM lesson.
Hey Sunshine! I think it is funny that we are playing in the same world, but we are only a couple of blocks away! I'm sure I might be stopping by if I get lost in my world!
DeleteThat is amazing that you already built a 2 story house. How did you get chickens, horses, cows, and sheep? Did you have to build a coral around them?
Hey, the three of us should meet at a coffee shop or the bowling alley and do Minecraft together!
DeleteHey, wait a minute! You can fly in Minecraft? This isn't fair. How do you do it? I'm getting tired of having to swim upstream and duck under trees and stuff.
DeleteWhat I realized after reading Sunshine's post was that I left her on "Creative mode" by accident. That allows people to fly and gives them access to all blocks. Pretty powerful! So while the others learned how to move around in Minecraft to find the resources they needed Sunshine was focusing more on the building process itself.
DeleteOh and yes I started spawning a bunch of animals in the Campground - someone said they wanted wool in order to make a bed, and another person wanted a wolf to tame, and so on. I just went and put a load of animals in the space to see what things people would do with them.
Colin, Thanks. I wanted the bed. My kids kept telling me I needed sheep and I couldn't find any. I haven't played much this week and actually find that I miss it. :)
DeleteI found some animals. I am no good at capturing them, but I have killed a couple and now have a fresh chicken and fresh pork chops.
DeleteI'm still figuring out where to post and how but I had a blast at the optional class where Minecraft came into much sharper focus with Colin's help. When I tried Minecraft independently, I experienced horrible vertigo, was completely shamed by both of my under 10 yr old children and could feel my blood pressure rise. I did manage to do everything but build the arch.
DeleteMy son showed me how to tame a wolf which has been a fun companion> I was a little thrown off my game when my son asked Colin for a bone and he gave us an iron sword. The sword was for killing skeletons to make the bones! Silly me! I got a huge kick out of going down into the mine while my children went and found the "Don't Mine At Night" Song on Youtube and exhorted me to get out! I still don't last too long on Survival mode but I'm really excited to play and figure out ways of doing STEM with kids using this enormously powerful tool
Well, this week I spent a lot of time on Minecraft! I never went back to our world, but I did make it through a couple of nights on Survival Mode. I still scream when I see something coming out of the woods for me...not sure if I will ever get used to that. I tried to build a house, but knew I wouldn't have time, so I built a house against a mountain, which I started digging into during the night.
ReplyDeleteTonight's session was very helpful. I know that I didn't really follow rules and my house is built away from everyone, but I couldn't find any flat area anywhere else. Chris did come see my house, not sure how he got over there, but he came by. I also saw a couple of people flying around, which was rather funny. By the end of the night I was able to build a house, a fenced in area, and begin a cave. Towards the end of the night I was given a saddle, and 10 minutes later there was a horse walking around! I'm not sure how to tame the horse, but I tried all sorts of things. I also figured out how to make a bed and put on a roof on my house. I am feeling more confident in the game and I am looking forward to this semester.
As far as the STEM lessons we are required to plan, I am still a little confused. Tonight was helpful to hear others ask questions. I am currently in the process of getting computers set up with Minecraft, from there we will start playing once a week in my Pre-Algebra class. I told my class about it last week, and they were super excited about it, which makes me more excited. I have several ideas to try out and look forward to this challenge of trying new things in my classroom.
Hi Lexie - Sounds like you are making some good progress in Minecraft! I look forward to hearing about your ideas, and how they work out in class.
DeleteHey, it never occurred to me to ride a horse. I found a saddle in my inventory - maybe Colin put it there, to spark some thinking, I don't know. But now the idea of riding a horse, better yet a sheep or chicken, is really cool.
DeleteThe saddle and horses were a challenge I threw out there to some folks who had made pretty good progress with their houses. Here's more information about horses: http://minecraft.gamepedia.com/Horse
DeleteYou can also ride pigs (with a carrot and stick), donkeys, and mules. In a future class I'll put up an arena to set up a race, with the idea being students could time the race at various points and measure the acceleration, average speed, etc.
Sigh....I still don't know the purpose of Minecraft. It appears to be some sort of survival game but once you've built a house and smashed enough trees and killed enough animals then what? Build an empire?
ReplyDeleteTechnical issues have prevented me from even walking through a landscape. I am using a school-issued MacBook, fairly new, but the fingerpad control option is not working well.
Chip assures me that I do not have to be able to play the game to use it as a teaching tool. He spent a long time clarifying the lesson expectations and I feel a little more comfortable with it all....just a little.
Karen, I sympathize. I would like to encourage you to take a deep breath and open this up to your students. Hopefully, like me, you'll be amazed by what they demonstrate. I am continuously impressed by students and love learning from them. Most of the time, their questions involve some level of technical support that I am able to answer (my mouse is stuck, I can't hear, my connection is lost, etc.). Their questions, for the most part, rarely have anything to do with the game. I feel hopeful that you'll dive in and let your students impress you!
DeleteKaren, I would try getting a mouse to plug into the computer. It would make moving around and looking around even better and easier. I would also suggest finding a child to help you as crazy as that seems. My seven year old was introduced to the game the same night that we were in class, and he is getting a good handle on it.
DeleteKaren, I would agree with Heather. Hang in there :) I think one of the issues working against you is that you haven't been able to do anything in the game. I generally don't play video games at all, mostly, on principle. Come to think of it, playing games for the sake of playing games isn't my forte, either. I'm happy to play if it challenges me in some way that improves my life away from the computer screen. If getting better at the game simply means I get better at the game, and I have to sit on the couch to do it, it's not my cup of tea... That being said, I think MinecraftEDU will improve my life away from the computer screen - contributing to my working knowledge of the mining world, at the very least. In any case, I do hope we can get your technical difficulties figured out so you can see what's going on first hand. Chip's right, once you have the basics and understand the tools in Minecraft, you really can ask a multitude of questions without knowing all the details of how they will be worked out.
DeleteI still maintain a teacher does not have to have expertise in MC to give students assignments that they might consider doing using MC - emphasize might.
DeleteI'm with Megan. I have no, repeat no intrinsic interest in online games. I would much rather play real tennis or go a hike or bike ride. I had no interest in learning MC even when I was assigning it to various middle school students here in Juneau. And I also felt no guilt about assigning it without knowing how to do it.
However, I have now messed around enough with MC to think it is a blast! In fact, it could become a serious problem. I'd rather go look for diamonds than grade papers or read my e-mail.
I had to get as mouse for my computer. The pad on the laptop was totally inadequate.
DeleteMinecraft, what can I say about it? To be honest, I’d need more time to really get the hang of it, to feel more comfortable with it. I’ve even tried collaborating with some one of my students who knows and plays Minecraft, however instead of helping me understand the game he played it for me. So now I’m lost and I just want to start over from scratch so I can figure it out on my own. But it did help me understand how I need to approach this student and others. I need to help them understand that teaching and helping is more through explanation, etc. and not by doing it for the other person. ☺
ReplyDeleteOk, so where I am I now? Well, I do know how to look around, move in all directions, and jump. I don’t know how to get out of the water as that was done for me (hence the reason I want to start over fresh), but I do think I know how to swim cause I was moving around in some water. I’ve broken a few blocks but again I haven’t placed any down or built anything. Overall, I haven’t gotten very far on Minecraft independently – which is rather frustrating for me. I have been looking for the campground but so far no luck so I’m going to keep looking.
Tamara, I like your comment that teaching is more about helping through explanation and not by doing it for the other person - I think learning Minecraft is helping us all realize that :) Keep after it :)
DeleteI think Megan and I are working simultaneously here :) Yes, I like that statement as well, and it is an important lesson for our students as well as ourselves!
DeleteTamara, great lessons learned - someone else doing it takes all the learning out of it.
DeleteI am always getting lost and having to use my teacher power to teleport to one of you students. I am becoming more comfortable with my MC ineptitude.
Well, I have spent a quite a bit of time trying to understand and play Minecraft better. Over the past few years I have dappled with it on occasion because one student or another was interested in the game and wanted me to play on Xbox Live; I would try to play, but generally my own children ended up playing for me. Still, I made a good connection with my students when I was able to discuss the game with them. That being said, this past week I have actually played at least 1-2 hours each day. My children and husband have helped me learn a great deal about how the game works. I am still terrified to play on the actual game setting where zombies might attack me! I still have nightmares from watching “The Walking Dead”. I do NOT like zombies.
ReplyDeleteSkills I have developed: I am able to make buildings and craft some basic objects. I have learned how to make a boat, basic planks, trap doors, doors, fences, a furnace, a craft box, and a few other things. I just learned how to grow and harvest wheat. I am not sure what to do with it now, but at least I have some. My son showed me how to make torches so I have learned how to do that. I am also able to mine for coal. I guess I have not dug deep enough to find iron yet. I have been trying to do that. I am comfortable with everything on the list provided except for flying. You mentioned signing in as a teacher. When I try to do that it prompts me for a password; I do not know the password so I haven’t entered as a teacher yet. I would like to try that though.
Questions: Are we able to set something up on Minecraft EDU for our students/children? If so, how do we do that? I am also a little unclear of just how I will go about making a STEM problem. Is making a bridge out of toothpicks a good idea? Then how would you incorporate technology…have the students make a video of themselves testing their bridge against someone else’s? Is this idea even along the right lines of what you are thinking? Other ideas I have been thinking about are: having my students make a geometric solid such as a square pyramid and then having to have a way to survive at least one night with food, water, etc, but here again, I do not know that I really know enough about Minecraft to create this problem for my students? Maybe someone could help me with my ideas. I want to get started with assignment one, but am nervous. I am hoping this will be a learning process for all and you will work with us as we learn how to make STEM lessons.
Great questions!! I'm hoping to see some instructor responses. :)
DeleteHi Sara,
DeleteI think your idea about the bridge is a good one... and the technology doesn't have to be electronic. The bridge itself could be considered technology. But I think having them videotape their bridges being loaded to failure is a great idea as well... I bet the students would enjoy it. You could also have them think about what the weak spots may have been, and why some bridges held more than others (do a failure analysis). We will actually do something similar in class in a couple of weeks.
Other ideas to consider: have them sketch a bridge design first, think about what materials they would use, perhaps place the design idea in a particular context (crossing Knik Arm?) - would a bridge be best or are there other options? Think about embedding math concepts into the problem. Have them count the number of toothpicks used, give a dollar amount per toothpick and have them figure out the cost for their bridge. Divide the total cost by the weight held...
I hope these ideas are helpful and not overwhelming! Good luck - I look forward to seeing what you and your students come up with :)
Lori
Sara, try using "teacher" as the password when you log in as teacher.
DeleteWe will get to setting up MinecraftEDU for your students soon. For personal use, take a look at this webpage:
http://minecraftedu.com/page/purchase-faq#2
Your idea about building a bridge out of toothpics is perfect! Lori will do a similar project for you all as soon as she can get the kits sent out to everybody. Remember technology doesn't have to mean using computers. Technology can mean the use of any tools, constructing tools or machines using other tools. In that respect, building any sort of physical model is a tool used in engineering, math, science, etc. (Take a look at the Wikipedia definition.)
Just do your best on this first lesson, try to think about what math, science, engineering topics you're touching on. We're expecting improvement as we move through the course, so don't worry too much about making it perfect.
Your idea bout making a geometric solid is also a great one. If you have somebody already setup with Minecraft to try this out on, I say go for it!! If you don't, maybe save that idea until the next lesson.
Great ideas, Sara - keep 'em comin' :)
Sara, I was so impressed with your house Monday night. It was really fun entering it and watching you work on it. It was like I could actually see how focused you were. You were really engaged. You have done so much more than I have but I was able to find coal and iron.
DeleteI had to dig way down deep, it was kind of scary. I was afraid the torches would go out and I'd be like Tom Sawyer in the cave.
You have great ideas on how to do STEM lessons using MC or toothpicks. I don't think you are missing anything.
For me the most important question you have asked is how do we enable each of you "students" to get your own students in your own world, but connected to the rest of the EDMA693 world.
DeleteI know we will figure this out and it is going to be crazy fun when we can all navigate within and between our different classes.
Chip, I am still learning. I think I am terrified to dig down deep. Isn't that funny! It isn't real, but the idea of being in a dark place lit only by torches is not appealing to me even in a virtual world. I feel trapped!
DeleteI am excited also to start using Minecraft myself to create lessons for my kids. I am going to go ahead with the bridge idea this time. I think I may try to use the idea Lori posted about giving the kids a budget.
Thanks for the helpful comments.
I understand Sara, I dug too deep. It was in water, my torches would not work in the water. It was frustrating.
DeleteI believe I have most of the skills mastered. The more I play it and explore around it the more it makes sense. The hardest challenge is remembering what keys go with what skills. I have a Mac so I had to change the right and left click, remembering what they are is the challenge right now. I have not had a chance to build anything in the game yet or attempted to fly. I look forward to creating lesson based off of Minecraft and watching my students explore and interact with it.
ReplyDeleteNot only are Mac and PC and tablets different in Minecraft but there seem to be many versions of Minecraft independent of the platform. This is something that drives us adults crazy, but kids seem to have no problem with it.
DeleteMy family and I have enjoyed being introduced to Minecraft. My children were so excited when I was playing it during our first class. They all wanted to sit next to me and play. We had not had Minecraft in our house before then. The next day or so, my husband got it on the iPad, and it has now been istalled on every i-device that we have in our house. My children have really enjoyed playing. They mostly play in Creative mode, but some also play in Survival Mode. We have made it a rule that it has to be a joint effort now. Nobody (other than mom) can get on by themselves and just play. In our houses we have some fairly elaborate (for beginners) structures and mines going up. We have had a blast.
ReplyDeleteI have learned to mine, chop things down, build, smelt, craft, etc. I thought I really liked playing on the iPad because the crafting is a bit easier, but after last night, I realized that I enjoy crafting on the computer because I have to figure out what the recipes are instead of it just telling me I can make it. I learned how to make blocks, glass, glass panes, fences, hoes, axes, shovels, a bed, doors, gates, carpet, and others. In the other game, I learned how to find and plant seeds. I know how to fly, run, etc.
I know how to make food, create armor, where to search for iron, coal, etc. I have not found any gold yet, but I also have not digged down that far. As I play with my family, I enjoy mining and creating food for everyone as well as keeping the monsters out of our house. I have not checked yet, but think they come out of the dirt, so the next time I play survival mode with my family, I will patch up all the dirt spots with something else and see if that helps.
All in all, I am enjoying this. My children and their friends seem to be lining up to be my students. (That way they have a reason to play.) I do sometimes wonder if I will really be able to get every aspect of STEM into the lessons. One thought I had was - even for first or second graders to build something to represent some sort of a pattern. ABABABAB or AABAABAAB with different materials. WOOD, STONE, WOOD, STONE, ... BUt I'm not sure where the science would fit in. (Other than recognizing the difference between wood and stone.)
Heather, I find myself wishing there was a "Like" button at the end of your post! hahaha!! I know, Facebook is on the way out, but I still love it, and while I find myself wanting an "Unlike" option at times, after hearing about your experience, I want a LIKE option! I especially love that you're sharing the experience with your family. How rare that we get to "play" with our family while working on graduate studies!! Looking forward to our leader's responses about the STEM components that you've posed above.
DeleteI agree with both Heathers - nice work!
DeleteIt can be challenging to figure out where the S-T-E-M is in a STEM lesson, but you'll get better at it as we progress through the course. Your lesson idea sounds great to me. I think you could use the identification of the different materials a step further and ask about their properties. Would it be a good place to hangout in an earthquake or forest fire?
Heather, I really like your idea about patterns. There is a scientific basis in just identifying or recognizing patterns... I wonder if there is a way to find a pattern in a natural object and then recreate it in Minecraft? Or think about the different properties of each of the materials, and why you might choose stone, wood, or glass to build a structure, which might be more expensive, which is most plentiful where they live, etc. Good luck!
DeleteWhat a brilliant idea, Heather - using MC to generate various patterns. I was so excited to see how great things are going with you and your family in MC. On the other hand, my daughter and I will be no match for you all. I am having so much fun with MC, but you all are so far ahead.
DeleteIt is really fun to show someone how to do something in MC, though. It will be neat to see if that leads to real cooperative behaviour among students.
I often wonder if our "grown-up" expectations limit students or if there really is an age requirement that should be adhered to. I'm seeing so many instances of 13+ and grade requirements, and I question whether that's our "adult view" of maturity or intellect needed to adequately function in a game, or if that's a demonstrated necessity of intelligence not found in younger children. As I launch Minecraft and a discussion with a Kindergarten student (5 years old) about the world he's developing, I am confused. This child clearly knows more than I do about Minecraft. So why should this be limited to older students?
ReplyDeleteI ask him questions about his intentions with his movements and structures. He often furrows his brow as if he's bracing himself to explain something that should be obvious to someone who clearly doesn't "get it". I am delighted to say that he is able to explain his actions and talk me through his choices (with a few sighs and, I can't help but notice, unvoiced conversations with himself in an effort not to roll his eyes at me). I can't wait to see what he does with survival mode and gain some insight into his thinking.
Along these lines, I was reminded this afternoon of just how powerful our attitudes and expectations of children can be. I love to share technology with kids and, personally, I think that adults tend to limit students much more than their actual abilities. I approach every class with this mindset, honestly believing that they will surprise me with their capability, and I think it pays off. I love being caught off-guard by how quickly students discover "even more" in software, by their fearlessness and curiosity. I was in the gym when one of my first grade students came up to me with a rather urgent look on his face. He waited patiently, wringing his hands until I finished the conversation I was having with the student ahead of him. I put on my reassurance hat and smiled at him in greeting.
Student: Teacher?
Me: Yes, little one?
Student: I was wondering if you could tell me about the 26th.
Me: Hmm. What are you wondering?
Student: Well, I have a dentist appointment at 3:45 and I just wanted to make sure I wouldn't miss my class if it's at 3:45 because my mom said I had to leave early but I really don't want to miss computer lab so I wanted to make sure. If I have an appointment at 3:45, will I be here for computer lab?
...I'm sure I said something reassuring, but I was grinning so much I have no idea what actually came out. I didn't have the heart to mention that the 26th was a Sunday, unless he meant the 26th of February? Oh, and did I mention that this conversation was with a 1st grader? About computers?!
What a great story :) I agree. I don't have any little ones of my own, but I am constantly impressed by what my nieces, nephews, and friends' kids are putting together. When kids are young, it seems they're able to pick up on so many subtleties that seem to give them great insights that other (older) people miss - probably because they're thinking about something else. I think that's often challenging for us as teachers, when we think we should be the experts, but our students seem to pick up on more than we thought of - it can be downright intimidating! But I think there's a place (or sometimes a person) for excitement and soaking everything up as well as a place (or person) for staying focused and putting your efforts toward a priority you're pursuing.
DeleteI'm not sure if you were asking this as a rhetorical question or not, but I think you could probably teach a kid just about anything, except that emotionally they may not be ready for the human consequences of what they learn. I'm sure all the parents out there have opinions on that :)
I love that, Heather! What great insights you have into the minds of children!
DeleteSorry my comment is late. I couldn't figure out how to add a comment that wouldn't not be imbedded in someone else's comment (of course the reply button is at the very bottom--took me a minute).
ReplyDeleteIn response to the journal question:
I am doing okay in Minecraft. I definitely learn a lot more each time I log in and play (and I also learned from my students this week). However, being short on "play" time has not been in my favor. I do feel like I have mastered the basic skills at least. I still get stuck in deep water every once in a while, so I'll try to stay away :) I am still learning how to build. However, I did not build an arch at the campground yet (didn't exactly know we were supposed to). I feel like I will be a lot more comfortable with the game by the end of the semester. Better late than never, right?!
You are doing fine, Nicole. I think we are seeing the huge advantage people with 5-7 years old hovering at their elbows have over the rest of us.
DeleteFor the last 12 months I have maintained "There is absolutely no way I have time to mess around with some online game." But it is happening now with me and totally voluntarily.
Last night my daughter and I were in the EDMA693 world on separate computers walking around together. Finally, she said, "Mom says I have homework to do." I said, "Do it later, let's keep playing." She thought that was cool.
I have had quite an adventure. I made it to the campground, with Colin's help. Then I decided to explore. I went into the valley below the campground. The first time, I made it back to the campground. The second time, I decide to look for coal in the water. Ha, what a mistake. I ended up in total blackness, no hope of ever escaping. After a note to Colin I was able to "spawn" back to the beginning. Yes, the beginning, I was a little intimidated. After two days, I saw my house in the distance. I was so happy to see it. Still no coal.
ReplyDeleteI accomplish everything on Colin's list, except flying. That will be my future.
I am having problems finding students. I contacted a charter school, no answer. I really need a home-schooled student that will participate in a lesson.
I forgot to mention, I figured out how to lessen the queasy feelings. I had to go to the option menu and turn "bobbing" off. Sorry this is late, I didn't realize there was a reflection two, until I looked up Week three assignments.
ReplyDeleteI wish I would have thought to tell you this!! I was experiencing a lot of motion sickness in one of my first games. It was a save the world, kill the zombies kind of game, and I had to turn "bobbing" off as well. World of difference!
DeleteHow did you turn "bobbing" off!! I got vertigo too and thought I was a freak or had a brain tumor! Not kidding!
DeleteBoy do I feel stupid, I thought since we didn't have class, we didn't have an assignment. Mine Craft.... I found the campground.... I can't build anything..... I hate gaming and my brain isn't great with this stuff. I probably know how my fourth graders felt about converting fractions to decimals and fractions and back again.
ReplyDeleteDebbie