Discussions

Your Name and Title: Dr Bronwyn Stuckey

School or Organization Name: Massively Minecraft

Co-Presenter Name(s): Joanna Kay, Dean Groom

Area of the World from Which You Will Present: Australia

Language in Which You Will Present: English

Target Audience(s): Teachers, parents, researchers.

Short Session Description: Minecraft as a virtual wold game is sweeping the world and Massively Minecraft involves connecting a global group of parents and educators in learning where a game like this game can take our learning.

Full Session Description: 

Massively Minecraft is a Guild based learning community for kids aged 4-16 who are interested in developing digital media skills, exploring their creativity and developing online social skills using the video game Minecraft. Our guild is a social-enterprise, founded in mid 2011 for parents, teachers, schools and researchers as players in an open world to learn together, using game-theory and our experience of developing process networks in virtual worlds. The game-world and Guild is paid for by donation only.

What happens at Massively Minecraft?

Massively Minecraft runs on a whitelisted, multiplayer server hosted by jokaydiaGRID. We have several 'maps' for kids inworld, along with this Guild portal which provides them with both a community space and a project based learning oriented awards system. This environment is intended for children in the company of trusted adults (parents and/or teachers) to build a community where they can freely explore, experiment, design, build, lead and mentor.

Progression in the Guild is achieved by undertaking the tasks in the Awards section of the site. By achieving the award, players are given increasing power and responsibility in the game in both actively developing the game-world and working as community mentors.

There is no teaching or lessons allowed in this game in the way people might think about a learning game. Kids and adults are free to explore ideas following the social charter that sets out the Guild's expectations on how to be a productive, positive player in the game.

This session will involve a discussion of the progress of the global community in the six months of operation and in the second half allow participants join in an open day in the community space and connect with members. So if you have wondered what all the hype surrounding Minecraft is all about then jump in and join us.

For further information email: massivelyminecraft@gmail.com. You can also contact us @vormamim @jokay @bronst on Twitter or search for the hastag #massivelyminecraft for the latest news!

Websites / URLs Associated with Your Session:

• Massively Minecraft Announcement: http://deangroom.wordpress.com/2011/06/20/welcome-to-massively-minecraft/
• Massively Minecraft Guild Site: http://www.massivelyminecraft.org/
• Jokaydia Mincerafts: http://minecraft.jokaydia.com/
• Massively Minecraft Educator Community: http://socialmediaclassroom.com/host/MassivelyMinecraft/page/welcome-massively-minecraft-community-educators