As an educator for over 27 years and a Digital Learning Specialist (social studies) for the past 7 years in Atlanta Public Schools, I have supported educators across my district and beyond as they purposefully integrate technology in the classroom to promote engagement and 21st century skill development.
While there are many tools and resources available to educators to support their efforts to create dynamic digital learning environments, one of the newest and most engaging is Minecraft Education Edition (M:EE). Popular among students (and teachers!), M:EE is a game-based learning platform that promotes creativity, collaboration, and problem-solving in an immersive digital environment.
Here are five ways that I have helped my district’s teachers use M:EE into classroom instruction that you can use in your teaching practice. Best of all, you don’t even need to be a Minecraft expert to get started!
Minecraft can be used to support instruction in any subject area from ELA (English Language Arts), math, science, and social studies to art and SEL and so much more. M:EE has numerous lessons that are readily available to help you extend student learning and to make it more engaging and hands on in a game-based environment. As a former social studies teacher, one lesson series I am extremely excited about is the “Good Trouble Lessons,” which introduces students to Congressman John Lewis, who then escorts students through this world to meet activist such as Dr. Martin Luther King, Malala, Gandhi, and Nelson Mandela, all of whom have gotten into “Good Trouble” standing up for the rights of others. M:EE helps educators bring historical figures and events to life in an engaging way for students. To explore more lessons such as this one or others go to lessons for Minecraft Education Edition.