How to gamify the classroom with Minecraft?, the video game revolutionizing math education

In the constant challenge of creating School subjects is attractive and accessible to students, includes Technology and interactive platforms It is a valuable resource that can attract the attention of girls and boys.

With the evolution of the digital world, too Video game They become a tool that can be used to approach students based on their interests and hobbies; The use of these resources is not only Real interest By the matter in question, but rather Students are the leaders of their learning.

In this sense, MinecraftThe popular construction and exploration video game, has emerged as an innovative educational tool for Teach math in a playful and effective way.

Minecraft is known for its open world and ability to build Virtual structures, have countless opportunities to learn and apply mathematical concepts. Through play, children can develop skills such as:

1. Geometry and Measurement:

– Creation of structures, such that players must understand and apply Geometric Concepts When constructing buildings, calculating areas and volumes. It also helps when applying Scale constructionwhich promotes understanding of proportions and mathematical relationships.

2. Troubleshooting:

– The game involves taking project planning Decisions based on limited resourcesEstimating and properly distributing available items or spaces available.

3. Spatial Coordination:

– Essential for virtual world exploration Understanding coordinates and directionImprove students’ spatial coordination.

In addition to these skills that are put into practice with the original game, Minecraft has an education portal that makes it available to teachers and families to practice learning skills. STEM focus (i.e. Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics).

In particular, in its math section it has mini games that allow you to learn about the concepts of symmetry through puzzles and pyramid construction. In addition, it has specific spaces for teachers to create their own resources with game-based learning and train them to implement these tools in their classrooms.

The versatility of Minecraft allows it to be adapted to a wide range of ages. Although the official recommendation is for children ages 8 and up, many educators suggest that even younger children can benefit under proper supervision. The key is to adjust the complexity of math tasks according to age, ensuring an educational experience appropriate for each level of development.

Minecraft is also aimed at a more mature audience. In fact, some engineering or architecture students have developed projects and models of entire cities in traditional video games.

While Minecraft, as mentioned earlier, already has some math-related mini games and activities, teachers can design specific activities that explore mathematical concepts, integrating them coherently into the curriculum.

Prior to that development, educators can get the right training from the same platform to make the most of Minecraft’s educational capabilities and ensure an effective educational experience.

Once teachers have acquired the skills necessary to implement Minecraft, the game can be adapted to many problems for different subjects.

There are concepts that can be very abstract, but can be more concrete and assimilated by students if explained with Minecraft. For example, fractions can be taught with Minecraft blocks and thus transform something abstract and not very concrete into something easily assimilated and understood.

Minecraft emerges as an educational companion, providing an exciting platform for children to explore and apply mathematical concepts.

Approaching video games from a new approach also benefits family communication, in which parents know in depth what their children are playing, while at the same time imagining what skills they manage to develop through the game.

Gamifying classrooms manages to generate greater commitment and motivation on the part of students, as games, being immersive experiences, capture students’ attention and encourage active participation. Additionally, learning through games allows students to achieve both virtually and outside of the classroom, which reinforces learning. Goals to achieve can be level up, higher ranks in the game, medals and even extra points.

Games, whether virtual or in-person, allow students to build community. In the case of Minecraft, they promote collaboration, social skills, and teamwork among players. Additionally, gamification allows learning to be adapted to each student’s learning style, providing a more personalized approach.

By integrating Minecraft into the classroom, teachers open a new frontier in math education, inspiring students and preparing them for a future where mathematical skills are essential.