Minecraft has proven to be one of the most unique and innovative video games in its medium’s history, encouraging creativity and innovation in all of its players. A true sandbox experience, the game allows its players access to a myriad of tools and resources to create and shape the world they are in. With so much freedom over the game’s world, especially in its now famous “Creative Mode”, one could argue that Minecraft’s limitations are based solely on our imagination. As a true outlet for creativity, this game has the potential to be an invaluable source of creative and interactive learning.
Since its release in 2009, Minecraft has earned a player count of over 176 million. Its worldwide success is in no small part due to its easy and accessible mechanics and simple yet charming block based environments. These environments, while appearing basic in design, were meticulously crafted to respond and adapt to almost any reaction triggered by the player. If a player were to light a tree on fire in the middle of the forest, rest assured it would more than likely cause a massive forest fire. If they were to build a large stone dam over a river, that structure would effective obstruct river flow. These mechanics can prove to be very effective in educating young students on environmental processes. A class covering ecology for example can use the resources available in Minecraft to instruct students on how to make an effective ecosystem. By using different farming tools, water buckets and seeds, students can learn how farming and irrigation works and can be instructed to create and manage their own farmland. They can also be an effective resource for educators teaching architecture and engineering, allowing a platform for students to build and examine how structures react to different phenomena. Educators have already begun to create free downloadable modifications that include things such as chemical ingredients and reactions that make engineering more hands on and realistic for higher education.
Minecraft can also be an effective tool for teaching humanities. With its near unlimited access to worldbuilding tools, the game allows educators and students the opportunity to recreate settings from history and literary works. The ability to explore and interact with the locations being studied can provide a new level of immersion that textbooks simply cannot offer. Students can now build their own ship and travel in search of the ‘new world’. They can explore replicas of Ancient Mayan cities or Egyptian pyramids. Due to the game’s capability for online multiplayer, educators can create private servers where their students can, as a class, explore the same environments they discussed in the classroom.
As technology continues to evolve, video games are beginning to prove themselves to be an effective tool for not just entertainment, but educational and career development. Minecraft in particular sets itself apart as a mainstream shining example of creative freedom; a playground that provides educators and students alike the chance to learn from experience. Due to its effective environmental design, teachers can now present the effects of different scientific phenomena in a safe digital world. By using the game’s variety of tools and resources, students and teachers can create and explore areas taught in class. The possibilities are practically endless, and are only limited by what we can imagine.
