What are we learning?

ProjectMIST

Running a server is the students responsibilityIt involves managing the transition to a new

version of Minecraft. Testing plug-insWatching the way our users use the space

I made a direct comment over Skype to one of them, thanking him for the work that he was doing in this area and with ensuring our server was working well. His response was one that I was not expecting. He stated “just doing me job”.

Our learning has many layers

Developing the culture on our server is the students’ responsibility.They created the charterThey pick up when someone is doing well and offer

junior mod statusThey pick up when someone needs to be reminded of

our charterThey are developing a wonderful understanding of

ethics, morals, values and integrity and how they need to be considered beyond the self when in a leadership position. After all, leadership is not about being in a position it is about the action within the position.

Be respectful to others and work with them when required

Help others that are less experiencedNot hurt other players on purposeSpeak appropriatelyOnly build on land they have claimed for

themselves and negotiate distance from other peoples land

Be a collaborative team playerBe supportive and act fairly towards others

Our Charter – supports our culture

Building their new media literaciesUsing different media – a number of students

are now using blogs, YouTube channels, podcasting

Developing their audienceBuilding their community of learning (PLN)Developing their digital footprintUnderstanding the need to be a critical

consumer of information

We pick up on students interests

History and Society

Peer to Peer and Social Learning

“This subject has especially helped me with teamwork, not just in the Minecraft class but in other classes too. With Minecraft it is so creative so to get around problems that occur you have to think outside the box, so I find it easier to work through problems in other classes and in groups.”

A Student’s Perspective:

Using skypeThe server is open 24/7When a class finishes the students remain

connected to the server

Our Learning is 24/7

Grade 5/6 program

Grade 7 programTo enable a student to engage with peers and

become a member of the Riverside High School community

Our space is inclusive

“The recipe is simple: Give people well designed visual and embodied experiences of a domain, through simulations or in reality (or both). Help them use these experiences to build simulations in their heads through which they can think about and imaginatively test out future actions and hypotheses. Let them act and experience consequence, but in a protected way when they are learners. Then help them to evaluate their actions and the consequences of their actions (based on the values and identities they have adopted as participants in the domain) in ways that lead them to build better simulations for better future action.”(2007, 110)

James Paul Gee

It is time to start linking in with the power of gaming and connect in with what young people can gain from it.

We need to be actively involved on all levels, including participants in the game.

Reference: James Paul Gee, “Pleasure, Learning, Video Games, and Life: The Projective Stance,” in Michele Knobel and Colin Lankshear (eds.), A

New Literacies Sampler (New York: Peter Lang, 2007), pp.95-114.

Were to from here?