Best Practice

Game-based learning: Ideas for using Minecraft in your lessons

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Teachers can take advantage of the popularity of Minecraft by incorporating the game into lessons. Dr Ben Scott offers some ideas and tips for making this work in your classroom
Many uses: An illustration of a perfect greenhouse structure created in Minecraft Education as part of a biology lesson on plant growth variables (image: supplied)

“If you can’t beat them, join them.”

This was the phrase my head of department responded with when I first told him I wanted to use Minecraft Education in my science lessons.

Fast forward three years and Minecraft supports some of my easiest and most enjoyable lessons, resulting in deeper discussions as I explore with students why they decided to model a concept in a certain way. I also use it to spot misconceptions and see if students can use scientific terminology appropriately.

Minecraft is a popular computer game among school children. Everything in it is made from different kinds of blocks. Think of it as virtual Lego, where students can most probably build anything as long as they can imagine it.

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