Exploring ideas of equity using Minecraft: Education Edition – Ngā Motu

As part of Learning Days Ōtautahi, Sam Harris and Nathan Scott from the Cyclone PLD Team are very pleased to host this free Minecraft: Education Event

Minecraft: Education Edition is an innovative game-based teaching and learning tool. In this session, we will explore Ngā Motu, a Minecraft World that has been created to make te reo Māori and te ao Māori more accessible to rangatahi. 

In this session, we will also explore how Minecraft is being used by Canterbury schools to engage in localised teaching and learning experiences which include mapping and recreation of parts of Christchurch. In exploring this, schools and organisations will gain insight into how they can begin to develop their own immersive Minecraft worlds as a means of connecting with students. 

Students, parents, schools and community organisations are welcome to come and explore the power of Minecraft: Education Edition and consider how they might use this tool to engage young people. 

Note: Before the session, it is important that all attendees download Minecraft: Education Edition onto a device. Please visit https://education.minecraft.net/en-us/get-started/download to do so. A demonstration log in and password will be provided to attendees to use on the day of the event. 

What will students learn from this experience: 

• Students will learn how Minecraft: Education Edition can be used as a creative learning tool. They will learn how to gain access to a range of worlds based around a variety of different contexts. 

What will parents learn from this experience: 

• Parents will be introduced to the concept of game-based teaching and learning and develop an understanding of the place of digital games in the 21st-century classroom. Parents will have the opportunity to explore the educational resources available through Minecraft: Education Edition and how they could be utilised from learning at home. Parents may also want to use this as an opportunity to learn more about a game that their tamariki enjoy. 

What will schools learn from this experience: 

• School leaders, teachers, and wider staff will develop a better understanding of how Minecraft: Education Edition can be embedded as a teaching and learning tool within their school. Schools may also be interested in learning how they can create Minecraft worlds based around their school’s campus and values or to develop localised teaching and learning opportunities. 

What can community organisations learn from this experience: 

• Community organisations will be introduced to the increasingly popular world of Minecraft: Education Edition and come to understand how creating Minecraft resources can be a powerful tool for engaging with young people. We hope to inspire New Zealand based organisations to begin to develop content to help them engage with young people across Aotearoa. 

This event is part of Ōtautahi Learning Days, an Ako Ōtautahi Learning City Christchurch festival celebrating learning in its many forms, exploring Innovation in Equity, by connecting rich conversations, encouraging hands-on learning and focusing on future opportunities.