Making and Coding with Minecraft's Code Builder

Facilitator(s): Miguel Guhlin | Twitter: @mGuhlin | TechNotes Blog | 5/8/2019

Return - http://ly.tcea.org/lunchmc

Take learning and creating in Minecraft to the next level with Minecraft's Code Builder. Engage learners in how they can use code to solve real-world problems with their virtual constructions.

Let's Get Started

Session Outline

Guest Co-Host: Lisa Simmons (@Lisa_Simm)

Lisa creates immersive, inclusive learning experiences for integrating technology. She has trained over 4000 educators and administrators at over 100 events nationwide and internationally. With years of experience in education she is passionate about education and has a wide range of experience from fine arts, special education, administration, and the classroom. In her previous district, she trained and worked with administrators and educators to build 21st Century Classrooms and integrate technology into the district curriculum.

TCEA_LL_LisaSimmons_Coding_in_Minecraft1

As a Microsoft Fellow, Lisa worked with Microsoft for 2016-2017 focusing on sharing her expertise and leading the way through Microsoft’s Strategic Professional Learning engagements working with some of Microsoft's top accounts. As a Coordinator for Professional Learning with NCCE she focused on Microsoft’s Professional Learning Partnerships, as well as, mentoring professional learning specialists. Currently she works with professional learning across the nation training districts in everything from Minecraft, Office 365 to 21st Century Learning Design.

Trish Cloud

Coordinator of School Partnerships

Twitter: @trishcloud

Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools

Charlotte, NC

Office: 980-343-0421

What is Code builder?

Never coded before? No problem! Learn coding fundamentals with MakeCode's tutorials for Minecraft: Education Edition.

You'll take advantage of block coding tools, as well as be introduced to the free Makecode curriculum. Once you know how to code with MakeCode, you can apply .

1 - Latest Updates

Earn Minecraft Badges

Minecraft Activities of the Week

Minecraft Mentor of the Week

Visit the Minecraft: Education Edition Blog

2 - Digging Deeper

A study of elementary students tracked students from 3rd to 6th grade using Minecraft in school. 98% of teachers surveyed cited problem solving as the top skill their students learn from Minecraft. Researchers also noted significant improvements in creativity, self-efficacy, reading and writing skills, collaboration, problem solving and computational thinking, concluding overall that the “supported, scholastic, and purposeful use” of Minecraft truly leads to substantial learning outcomes. (Source: Transforming Education with Minecraft) - See more research

What You Will Need

1. Windows 10 computer OR Mac computer with OS X El Capitan

2. An external two-button mouse

3. An installed copy of Minecraft: Education Edition (Get the bundle if you don't have any other software installed)

Skip the next two items if you got the bundle above

4. Download link for Code Connection software

5. Download link for Classroom Mode software

MakeCode & Code Builder

MakeCode_ Minecraft

1- Two Ways to Start Coding

#1: Tynker

With Tynker, you have access to a rich variety of tutorials. These tutorials help you, step by step, to achieve success. Tynker relies on block coding, an approachable tool to use for beginners.

This serves as an easy entry point for teachers learning to use coding in their classroom.

#2: MakeCode for Minecraft

Ready to embark on deeper learning? Microsoft has provided a MakeCode curriculum appropriate for grades 6-8 that offers projects and tutorials specifically designed for students.

MakeCode works in a variety of settings and relies on both block and text editors, so what students learn is usable beyond Minecraft. This makes it ideal for learners at different levels.

Computer Science Curriculum

The course is written for teachers new to computer science or those who have never taught it. The curriculum includes access to materials two formats. The first is the universal HTML (web page). The second, more valuable, is the OneNote Notebook format.

Here, students learn about events, coordinates, variables, iteration, conditionals, functions, arrays, and more.

2- Visual Walkthrough: Code Connection for Minecraft

Code Connection for Minecraft is a free download. Code Connection makes it easy to transfer your code from the tool (e.g. Tynker, Scratch) to Minecraft. Here’s a visual walkthrough of how to get connected.

When you first start Code Connection, you will be provided with the connect code you need to put into Minecraft.

Copy the code by clicking the "Copy" button

Once you have copied the connect code to put into Minecraft, switch to Minecraft.

Press "/" key without quotes. Paste in the connect code to establish the connection.

Press [ENTER] on your keyboard or click the button with the right arrow on it shown on screen.

Once you have success in the connection to the Code Connection, you will see the various editors available (e.g. Code.org, Make Code, Scratch, Tynker).

You may want to minimize your Minecraft: Education Edition window so you can see both of them on the screen. Note that you can switch between the two programs using Alt-Tab on your Windows 10 device.

3 - In the GT Classroom

Content Differentiation

"The stuff we want to teach or want students to know"

Personalized learning is an approach which supports skill development — both cognitive and social and emotional by guiding students towards greater autonomy and control (Source). Students can use the Audio Recording feature to answer and explain text-based questions or thinking (Source).

Differentiated Assignments

"A personal sense-making activity (transform information into knowledge)"

Content curation can be a powerful way to organize data, information. Students can use the OneNote Web Clipper to save content. You can also use an IFTTT.com app to save content they bookmark (e.g. Diigo, Pocket).

Interest-Based Choices

"Dig deep in an area of interest specific to learner"

Whether you are working with musical notation, videos, images, or curating content off the web, students are able to create notebooks with custom sections about what they are interested in.

Communication Tools

"Connect, Communicate, Collaborate with others at a distance"

Use tools like Office Lens and OneNote app on your smartphone to capture learning artifacts, then share them to a OneNote notebook page. Learners can connect and review items at a distance, annotating images, drawings and text.