This past weekend, we launched our first ever, private Minecraft world that we’re hosting. It’s been offered to a group of young kids from the WLU community and we’ve set it as Creative only.
The kids (about 30 of them, ranging from 4 to 15, with all but two of them are under 11) are awesome crafters! They’ve built so much already, and it’s only been two days. They’ve also discovered the challenges of working with (and tolerating) one another. The age range is huge, and some of them are not yet literate, or not much anyway. Their best means of interacting/communicating with one another is via chat within the game. Needless to say, it is a wonderful opportunity for Lily to learn to interpret others’ writing, as well as contribute her own. She’s using her own spelling, some punctuation, and is asking me how to spell stuff every few minutes.
Social interaction, general protocol, polite consideration, etc.. is sort of lost on some of these kids, while entirely not on others, and well, it causes a bit of confusion, sore feelings, frustration, and grace.
We’re learning very quickly how to be crafters ourselves.. Lily is educating us continually.
I took part in a discussion a few days ago posted by a woman who was struggling with her family member concerning her child’s MC obsession. I think the conversation is relevant.
After a few weeks of not getting it, and not thinking it was all that “good” for her, I decided to reserve my disapproval until I’d given learning about and playing it a fair go.
Enter the world of Minecraft, or maybe better called MINDcraft. I played. For hours. I built, constructed, explored, discovered, interacted. I watched, she explained and led me.
There is so much worth in this game, but from an unschooling pov, it goes without having to be said. Beyond unschooling principles, the subjects the game provides exploration, instruction, and development in, are as follows: mathematics, geometry, physics, chemistry, engineering, architecture, structure and problem solving, construction, long range vision and ability to see large perspectives, goal planning, project management, social engagement (if played as such), cooperation, teamwork, effective and efficient use of resources, stewardship, animal husbandry, animal care, spiritual realm, natural realm, biology, horticulture, history, ethics, governing, self management, and long term planning and awareness. That is just the overview.
Can’t get the kid off Minecraft (and why I don’t care)
Sure, it’s just a game, and can be played like a game. But with just a little input (and with many kids, no input at all) kids are suddenly, actually learning things. “Poppycock” you might say (or not because, well, who says that anymore?), but here’s the kicker: geology (yes, the ore is in layers just like in real life), architecture, art, navigation (have you seen the maps with waypoints?), electric circuits (via redstone), engineering, smelting, brewing, cooking, area, volume, spatial relations, technology…it’s astonishing. And that’s just on their own, never mind the folks that now offer official Minecraft-based classes. Heck, just trying to learn the game requires research, locating information resources, tutorials and tons and tons of trial and error. Oh, and let’s not forget the social aspect (because, you know, homeschoolers are hermits and never, ever get to socialize) as kids can get on servers, or just get together and open a LAN (what’s a LAN? Ask a Minecrafter. They’ll be happy to school you).
But the best part? It became a place for this mom and her son to come together to play, create, discover — for him to become teacher and she student. We have wasted — no, spent — no, shared — hours and hours finding new maps, new texture packs, building together, going on adventures together in this strange dual-world-communing where we are together in the real world, across the dining room table as well as together in a virtual world. There’s proof in the picture below. That’s us, hanging out on the beach drinking coffee. So let them play. Encourage them to. Then ask them about it, and listen to their answers. Then go play with them.
I could go on forever. I could write a book (and maybe I will). For now, though, I have to go. The game is waiting….
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Minecraft has had another beneficial side effect for Lily – it has inspired her to get into Legos. Like, in the real world..
