MakerSchools Update: Minecraft Module Set­up

In our previous blog post about MakerSchools, we introduced the project – we are creating modules

for teachers to teach making in their classrooms. Here is an update on our progress.

The module we are working on for the Hive Toronto project is about teaching kids the social studies

unit of settlers in the early 18th Century using the game Minecraft. We wanted to find a

way to include Minecraft into an already existing unit to give teachers more options for engaging

the kids in different topics. This unit occurs in grade 3, which is a popular age for kids to take

interest in Minecraft.

We did some preliminary research on the topic before setting everything up, and discussed

questions about the the unit, students, and teachers. We needed to figure out everything from the

areas of the unit covered in class, to how many classes are devoted to it, and especially questions

around Minecraft itself. How many teachers know of Minecraft, what kind of knowledge do they

need to set up something like this, what previous knowledge do the kids have of the game, how

quick can they pick up the controls, etc. These were all things we had to consider when creating

the activities.

We brainstormed different situations to simulate in Minecraft including building a town and farm,

and trading with the natives. We researched what kinds of materials and food we could mimic in

the game such as farming potatoes and pigs, making log cabins and trading with villagers. This

created a framework to base our activity in.

The tools we used to build our Minecraft map were MCEdit (www.mcedit.net) and World Painter

(www.worldpainter.net). The initial map featured a large ship the students would start on like they

were the settlers coming to Canada for the first time. It also had a dock, boat house, and individual

canoes so the kids could float them up river to another area with a tower and small survival house.

At the survival house, there was a kit of basic items to get them started building their farms and

towns. We shaped the area to mimic Toronto’s waterfront area, including the areas where clay,

swamps, and dense forests were found. A group of Native villagers were also placed near the fort

for kids to trade with.

Along with the map, we also needed some specific instructions to get the kids started, as well as a

guide for the teacher. We developed a plan with instructions, ideas, feedback questions, and a

backup plan. A set­up guide was also created for us to follow when doing the first test. We’ll be

discussing the results of our test and showing what kinds of feedback we received in our next post,

so check back for more progress reports!

Here’s a few pictures of creating the map:

 

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