What tools can we use both in and out of
Minecraft, to create a convincing case that learning occurred?
The
first tool we can use in and out of Minecraft to show learning occurred is by
observation. When a student performs a task or skill correctly, then we know
the student has learned (Kapp, 2012). This can be also by assessments, but the
best way is to observe the student. During minecraft, I had a difficult time
building the first time. After practicing I started to get better. While in
Minecraft this week, I observed myself understanding how to access my supplies
more practical, flying, learning how to build quicker and being more efficient.
I also observed and watched my peers demonstrate how to build quickly. This
helped me learn how to use the tools I had to build and answer any questions I
had.
Another tool is encouragement this gives “positive feedback that focuses primarily on effort or improvement rather than outcomes” (Evans, 1997). It’s shown that if a “person can be encouraged to perform an important act that is counter to the person’s own attitudes, a change in the person’s attitude can occur. My attitude when I first started playing minecraft was pretty negative and being very frustrated. While having the opportunity to play in Minecraft each week and have peers that schedule times to play, and give assistance while playing has been helpful in learning the game. It’s important to give feedback to students on their progress, how they did and what they can improve on. It’s important to encourage students, set goals and help them achieve their goals.
Another tool is encouragement this gives “positive feedback that focuses primarily on effort or improvement rather than outcomes” (Evans, 1997). It’s shown that if a “person can be encouraged to perform an important act that is counter to the person’s own attitudes, a change in the person’s attitude can occur. My attitude when I first started playing minecraft was pretty negative and being very frustrated. While having the opportunity to play in Minecraft each week and have peers that schedule times to play, and give assistance while playing has been helpful in learning the game. It’s important to give feedback to students on their progress, how they did and what they can improve on. It’s important to encourage students, set goals and help them achieve their goals.
Have students role-play is an important tool. We learn by
experience and by doing. Students should have a role in the game. They will
have higher thinking and work towards their challenge. If a student is in a game and only playing,
learning is probably not occurring. To have learning occur, students need to be
focused, working with other peers incase they need assistance or extra support.
Not every time should students work with peers, but most of the time teamwork
is important to have learning occur. It helps students see other views on
things and to have higher level of thinking. To show that learning has occurred
is when students can connect what they’re learning about to every day life or
to other subjects.
Kapp, K. M. (2012). The
Gamification of Learning and Instruction : Game-based Methods and Strategies
for Training and Education. San Francisco:
Pfeiffer.
Evans, T. (1997). THE TOOLS
OF ENCOURAGEMENT. Retrieved September 25, 2014, from http://www.cyc-net.org/cyc-online/cycol-0205-encouragement.html
Breslow, L. (2008). HOW DO
WE KNOW IF STUDENTS ARE LEARNING. Retrieved September 23, 2014, from http://web.mit.edu/fnl/volume/203/breslow.html
Hi Amanda,
ReplyDeleteOne of my concerns is how I would demonstrate learning occurred to a parent or administrator. I agree with you that observation is a huge aspect of assessment. Do you have suggestions or ideas for tracking it so that it can be presented to others?
I really like that you'd have students work both in teams and individually. We see so much about Minecraft in group settings, but I really like how it can be used individually!!
I think we will have to use different tools to "observe" the students:
ReplyDelete* we can have the classroom teachers observe and give them feedback
* we can observe as spectators in teacher mode and chat with students about their work
* we can have students briefly reflect after being in the game to capture how their experience related to the objectives or specific tasks
We will need to pair our observations with specific indicators that measure their progress but observation will definitely be important. I also agree that feedback is important throughout the entire experience. I'd like to consider having a welcome hangout for classes to join or view that introduces them to the game and maybe even some check-ins to see how students are doing, give initial feedback (from our observations), and answer any questions they might have. Similar to the orientation hangouts that were held at the beginning of the Connected Courses MOOC. We might also consider assigning ourselves to a class as their game coordinator so we can be the point of contact for these check-ins. Just some thoughts as we are working out our ideas this week.
I think observation will be an important aspect of assessment. I think we will need to develop a rubric and is easy to use and communicates to the students and parents what has been achieved and what needs to be worked on.
ReplyDeleteThis makes me wonder how much the teachers will be involved. It may be helpful to provide a "teacher pack" a downloadable file or folder with all the necessary information, rubrics, and levels.
Thanks for the post!
Yes, observation is such a reliable tool, both in and out of MC. By the way, it is a key factor in building relationships with students, and something the SBA tests do not take into consideration when determining a student’s achievement. For some reason I can’t stop flying, seem to be flying in MC all the time! Hope I soon have as much success as you are.
ReplyDeletePositive feedback, however extrinsic it may be, is valuable. I so appreciate this #edgamify GiverCraft team because no matter how bad my attitude is, folks have been very supportive and encouraging!
What a brilliant summary: learning has occurred when students can connect what they’re learning to everyday life or to other subjects.