Minecraft
here, Minecraft there, Minecraft was everywhere at CONNECT 2015.
Minecraft is a digital building block tool
limited by only your imagination. You
can build worlds and create every little item used in that world. What teachers
and students are accomplishing with this tool is mindboggling. If you want to blow your mind explore
MinecraftEdu! MinecraftEdu was designed
by teachers and it uses Minecraft to exercise that creative-critical thinking
productive model as you would in your classroom. Check out the links below.
Get
started by looking at what teachers are actually doing with MinecraftEd!!
The
homepage of MinecraftEd has information and links that will guide you on your
planning journey.
Educational
consultant and online Educator, Andrew Miller has included some brief
suggestions for various subjects on Edutopia.
Those of
you that have not explored Educade here is an opportunity to explore both Minecraft
and Educade. Educade is an education gamefication site. Here is a link posted
by, Jim Pike, a 3rd grade math teacher. It is amazing to watch these students put
real purpose to area, perimeter and multiplication using Minecraft. It is not
just for 3rd graders. After exploring the specific link explore
Educade for some more interesting education ideas.
Creating a
3 dimensional object in the digital world has endless possibilities but 3d
printers transfer your digital creation into a tangible object. Javelin Technologies was a presenter at
CONNECT 2015 and although many presenters spoke about the positive effect of 3D
printers in schools, Javelin’s presentation brought it to light. Javelin supplies Stratasys printers to both industry
and education facilities. What is being
accomplished with these printers is astounding.
Education
Technology Web site has written a short article explaining how teachers are
using this early stage technology to create marvellous breakthroughs in their
classroom.
Stratasys
has provided lesson plans to assist educators with method to create integrated
lessons or a 3D printing course. Check out this website for more information.
Finally,
Javelin has supplied Stratasys webinar: 3D printing 101. There is a video
attached to the brief article. The video highlights and provides suggestions
for lessons to be used in the classroom.
Whether
it is in the digital world or the real world, technology is advancing our
ability to easily create what we can imagine. Minecraft and 3D printers are two
very impressive tools to let our student’s imagination explore these new
boundaries. These are wonderful toys but
with a deliberate approach to really create, critique and be productive they
are powerful education tools.
Till next time,
Bill