Technology continues to advance, and schools are looking for innovative ways to incorporate it into the curriculum. With the rise of interactive whiteboards, tablets, and laptops in classrooms, video games could be the next addition. The King’s corporation, The Crown Estate, has partnered with Minecraft to create two new educational worlds within the game. These worlds will allow students to learn about offshore wind farms and conservation, while also engaging them in interactive activities.
The Offshore Wind Power Challenge
Through Minecraft Education, teachers can access a lesson plan centered around the Offshore Wind Power Challenge. Students will have the opportunity to build their own offshore wind farms and make decisions about cost, turbine type, water depth, and marine habitats. This immersive experience has shown to significantly increase knowledge retention among students. One student highlighted, "It’s more interactive so it’s easier to learn. A lot of us prefer games to writing, so it’s easier to remember what was there."
Successful Integration of Minecraft in Education
Minecraft has already proven successful in aiding learning in other countries. Justin Edwards, director of learning experiences for Minecraft Education, said that the game has been used to teach subjects such as Computer Science, Mathematics, Engineering, Chemistry, and even World Peace. The Crown Estate collaborated with Hopscotch, a company that creates lessons for various subjects, to ensure that the Minecraft Education lessons align with the National Curriculum.
Enhancing Accessibility and Decreasing Stigma
The Crown Estate believes that Minecraft makes conservation more accessible to students. Judith Everett, an executive director at The Crown Estate, expressed the importance of bringing the subject to life while also aligning with the curriculum. The success of this program in the UK remains uncertain, but if the stigma around video games decreases, it is certain to aid students in their learning.
