Niko LewmanPerfect blended learning tool
Blended learning, and now especially hybrid learning, can be implemented in many unique ways, generally using a combination of one or more of the blended learning models. One of the seven models of blended learning that stands out due to its ease of use is station rotation. The Blended Learning Universe site reports that the station rotation model “allows students to rotate through stations on a fixed schedule, where at least one of the stations is an online learning station.” (https://www.blendedlearning.org/models/#stat) The inner workings of the model allow teachers to align a variety of activities to the learning goal and then break up the class into small groups to closely monitor their progress while students actively engage in the content. This model is most common in primary schools because teachers are already familiar with rotating in centers or stations.
Gamify your online station with Minecraft
Minecraft is many different things to many different people. It’s a playground for the artist, architect, engineer, and computer programmer, where imagination is the limit when it comes to building whatever they want. It can be both social and solitary, relaxing and invigorating. It’s fun and also educational. It’s a vast place to explore, where players can venture into great, unknown worlds, climbing mountains and crossing oceans. Or they can be stranded on a desert island, and test their survival skills with only the most basic resources. In short, Minecraft is whatever you want it to be! https://www.readbrightly.com/why-your-kids-are-still-talking-about-minecraft/ For me personally, the power of this sandbox game is that it allows students to build their social, self-management, and thinking skills in addition to research and computational and design thinking skills.
Learn more: Minecraft: Education Edition: Introduction to game-based learning
If you want to find out more about the station rotation model:
- https://blog.edpuzzle.com/teaching-today/complete-guide-station-rotation-model/
- https://creativeeducator.tech4learning.com/2016/articles/blended-learning-with-station-rotations
Different Editions
https://help.minecraft.net/hc/en-us/articles/360034753992-Different-Minecraft-Editions
While every version of Minecraft is still Minecraft, the differences between the Bedrock and Java versions can be quite extensive. To answer the question of which version is right for your classroom, you will need to consider what features are most important to you. I will break down the major differences and features of each version.
Platform
First, you need to ask, which platform is available to you? Are your students going to use their own devices or do you have school-provided devices?
- Java Edition
- Customize your own skin – You can download any skin online or make your own and upload it to use in-game!
- PC only – Java Edition will run on Windows, macOS, and Linux
- Mods – Download community-made mods to change your gameplay experience
- Resource Intensive – Java Edition requires higher computer specifications to run smoothly
- No Cross-Play – Java Edition users can only play with other Java users
- Community – There are countless online servers and communities with all kinds of variations and mods to change up the multiplayer experience
- Bedrock Editions (including Education Edition)
- Multi-Platform – You can play Bedrock Editions on Minecraft console, mobile and PC
- Marketplace – Add-Ons or Skin packs can be purchased from the marketplace to change your gameplay experience
- Cross-Play – Bedrock players can play with any other Bedrock player online
- Runs Smooth – Bedrock Edition does not require powerful computers or devices to run and will often run more smoothly than Java Edition
- Controls – Bedrock Edition has the option to switch to a controller for movement or touch controls if on a mobile device
- Moderation and Parental Controls – Since Bedrock Editions are connected to Xbox’s services the online experience is more heavily moderated and parental controls can be finer tuned
After you have made your choice then it is time to visit and sign up for https://education.minecraft.net/en-us/homepage to gain access to many different types of resources eg. https://education.minecraft.net/en-us/resources/classroom-build-challenge
My Classroom
In my classroom, we have a very heterogenetic digital environment so I opted for the Bedrock Edition. This way I am able to use mobile devices like Ipads and Android tablets, Chromebooks, Win 10, and Linux laptops/desktops and still play together. The reason why I didn’t take the Education Edition is that its focus is more on the content whereas I want to students to be more in control of what and how they are learning.
I am using a project planner inspired by Justin Ouellette @juouelle
where students will set goals and define their success. During their project, students will document their progress and make connections to their learning. After their project is ready students select their preferred method of sharing their project and reflect on their experience.
Students have brainstormed various ideas that I have included in their planner under the example projects. The colors of their planner correspond with our SOLO Taxonomy planner
that our students use to document the depth of their inquiries.
