An initial look at the potential of using minecraft and minecraftedu with computing courses in UK schools.

1. MINECRAFT AND COMPUTING
Initial ideas – May 2013

2. Introduction
• Aware of the ‘edutainment’ issue
• But Minecraft can be used as an additional
tool in the toolbox
• Computing is a creative subject and
Minecraft does embody creativity
– See any crazy redstone build on Youtube

3. Minecraft and Computing
• Basic
– Image representation activity
– Problem solving
• Intermediate
– Pseudocode in Minecraft
– AND, OR, NOT etc
• Advanced
– Serious redstone
– Javascript and Python control
– Computercraft mod

4. Image representation activity
• Inspired by http://csunplugged.org/image-representation
• Uses the pixelated nature of Minecraft to full effect
• Start with a demo layout of image and lines
• Ask pupils to fill in the pixels based on pre-defined lines
• Then ask them to decipher the line numbers from an image
• Finally set them the challenge to go and make their own challenges

5. Problem solving
• Simple problem solving skills eg:
– Automate a door
– Get a railcart to head up a slope under power
– Even design problems – create a bridge according to
predefined rules
• Getting pupils to think
– What is the problem to be solved?
– What tools do they have or need?
– What is the process required?
– Basics of computational-thinking

6. Pseudocode in Minecraft
• Use various situations in Minecraft to
teach pupils how to write pseudocode
• EG: Write a script to describe the process
of mining a gold block using a stone
pickaxe
• Some initial examples here

7. Logic Gates
• Use Minecraft to build AND, OR, NOT etc
• Good way to visually demonstrate how
logic gates work
• Colour blocks to demonstrate input and
output signals

8. Serious redstone
• By serious I mean complex redstone circuit
based machines which require extensive
– Design
– Iteration
– Testing
• This will probably be worthwhile getting into
only if exam boards accept projects
programmed using redstone

9. Using Python and Javascript with
Minecraft
• Not something I have much experience with yet
• Python and Minecraft
– Use special edition of Minecraft for the Raspberry Pi –
click here
– Use Python from a command line to control in-game
resources
• Javascript and Minecraft
– Using Scriptcraft and Craftbukkit server
– More info here