ERIC Number: EJ1260253
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2020-Mar
Pages: 3
Abstractor: ERIC
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0269-2465
EISSN: N/A
Exploring Coral Reef Conservation in "Minecraft"
Hobbs, Laura; Bentley, Sophie; Hartley, Jackie; Stevens, Carly; Bolton, Tom
Primary Science, n162 p21-23 Mar 2020
"Minecraft" is a computer game that allows players to move around in a virtual world, building almost limitless creations with a vast array of cubic blocks with varying textures and properties. Its representative settings and processes link to the real world, making the game a valuable tool for both presenting scientific concepts to children and allowing them to explore these ideas (Hobbs et al., 2019a). The Science Hunters project combines "Minecraft" with a constructivist pedagogy utilising constructionism and anchored instruction, by first briefly introducing a scientific topic via hands-on activities and discussion, and then encouraging and supporting children to explore the content through inquiry-based learning. Topics cover a wide range of scientific fields, with a strong focus on environmental sciences, in line with the research backgrounds of the core project team. One of these topics is 'coral reefs', which links to research at Lancaster University where the project is based. An evaluation of the efficacy of the 'coral reefs' session for increasing children's knowledge of the topic was undertaken in primary schools in England.
Descriptors: Computer Games, Universities, Elementary School Teachers, Science Instruction, Teaching Methods, Foreign Countries, Computer Simulation, Scientific Concepts, Concept Formation, Constructivism (Learning), Inquiry, Environmental Education, Ecology, Marine Education, Elementary School Science
Association for Science Education. College Lane Hatfield, Herts, AL10 9AA, UK. Tel: +44-1-707-283000; Fax: +44-1-707-266532; e-mail: info@ase.org.uk; Web site: http://www.ase.org.uk
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education; Elementary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: United Kingdom (London); United Kingdom (England)
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A