In this episode, we learn how Minecraft Education Edition was used for an online Python summer school during lockdown, how students designed their school building to host an assembly and how it is used at Keystage 2 and 3 to develop 21st-century skills of problem-solving, skilled communication, collaboration etc.
Tia Nasir, Undergraduate Computer Science Student at Royal Holloway, University of London. Previously a ’Digital Innovator’ at DLD College London, where Tia passed the Microsoft Technology Exam (Python) and helped to develop student digital voice. As a keen user of technology and programming, she has participated in several ’hackathons’, notably winning Deutsche Bank’s 24-Hour Global Hackathon in 2018 following her mentorship with ’STEMettes’. Recently, Tia devised and delivered a virtual course using Minecraft Education to introduce Python programming to an incoming cohort of Year 7 students.James Protheroe is assistant headteacher at Darran Park Primary School, South Wales. As a Microsoft Showcase School, the school has placed digital learning at the very heart of teaching and learning. This has included developing effective pupil digital leaders who have supported teachers and learners across Wales to develop effective approaches to teaching and learning with Microsoft tools. James is working with Minecraft and Welsh Government to develop Minecraft Learning Centres across Wales to train educators to integrate Minecraft: Education Edition to transform teaching and learning.As a Microsoft Showcase School, the staff at Darran Park Primary School strive to use technology to make the curriculum accessible for learners. During the recent school closures, teachers were able to connect with learners through Microsoft Teams. As well as assigning work for students, this provided teachers with invaluable opportunities to communicate with learners through face-to-face video calls. This had a huge impact on the well-being of pupils. James has also used Minecraft: Education Edition to develop a range of innovative projects, developing a range of curriculum-based skills in an exciting and engaging way. In a recent project, That’s Entertainment, learners used Minecraft to create a virtual museum of the history of leisure and entertainment in the school’s local area. Minecraft provided learners with real opportunities to interpret history and develop an understanding of how the community has changed over time. The project received the primary school award at the Welsh Heritage Schools Initiative in 2019. As a Minecraft mentor and trainer, he has worked with schools across the UK using Minecraft Education Edition to develop knowledge and skills through innovative and engaging projects. James has shared the impact Minecraft can have to develop creativity,critical thinking, collaboration and tangible learning outcomes with educators at conferences around the world.
