Teaching “how to” Self-Direct Learning
Student: I am easily distracted from the work I have to do. Teacher: What are you distracted by? Student: Stuff like the latest article about the Redstone update in Minecraft <that allows...
View ArticleDo we facilitate 21st Century means of Acquiring Knowledge?
I asked my students this question. How do you acquire knowledge? 95% said – Books and Youtube/Internet (the other way around, actually). About 5 % said Teachers. Ouch. As I write this post, my...
View ArticleDesign Thinking ~ Make Urban ReDevelopment a Reality in Minecraft
The purpose of this lesson is to inspire and engage students to use creative and critical thinking skills to make decisions and designs that impact an urban area. This cross-curricular approach to...
View ArticleA little Kindergarten and A little Starbucks – Universal Classroom Design
We designed our learning space with a little Kindergarden and a little Starbucks – Here is how it happened: In June 2014, we were informed that we would be moving to an empty/unused classroom at...
View ArticleWhat inquiry looks like in a classroom with no bells, no subjects and no...
Problems that Matter… Where our Inquiry Started…and never ended. “Inquiry” seems is a hot topic in education today (although it certainly isn’t a new concept). Facilitating a true inquiry can be a...
View ArticleBe PROUD of that “Minecraft Teacher” label (or whatever the label)….
A couple of days ago, I read a couple tweets from a teacher that was voicing thoughts about being labelled as a “Minecraft” teacher, rather than an Innovative teacher that uses many engaging and...
View ArticleMakerspace, Inquiry and Minecraft – Enrichment and Innovation Centre
I am excited, thrilled and honoured to be given the opportunity to present some of my experiences as a Teacher and Researcher, in particular how and why I am using Minecraft in my Maker/Learning...
View ArticleA Makerspace Inquiry Lesson – Minecraft, Yarn, Smoothies and the Honeybee…
What does a ball of yarn, a quilt, a Makespace, the Honey Bee, a podcast, Green Smoothie and a Minecraft Museum all have in common? The following is an example Inquiry Lesson that infuses Maker Space,...
View ArticleWhen it is time to drop your lesson and talk about world events….
What is your lens? Maureen Wilson, from Hamilton, Ontario shares her experiences at the Women’s March of Washington We had to be ready to change our pre-planned lesson…Students wanted to talk about...
View ArticleCommunity and Urban Planning – Project Based Learning and Minecraft
The following pictures/slides provide some information about how we are using PROJECT BASED LEARNING, INQUIRY and MINECRAFT in the classroom. Recently, a reporter asked me, “So what have you learned...
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