TECHNOLOGY IN EDUCATION
Element Three
Creating
with ICT
Resource Details
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Minecraft is a game-based learning platform that engages students in creative self-expression, problem solving tasks, designing and creating environments, such as a model of a sustainable school for a Geography project.
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Windows 10 and MacIOS, available on all mobile devices.
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$5 per user/per year or a district-wide licensing model (POA).
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Stage 2 – Adult (Age 7+).
Explanantion
This resource enables students to meet capability 4 “Creating with ICT”. Post research and analysis of data on sustainable cities, students will “generate ideas, plans and processes” using Minecraft, to create a virtual sustainable city , to demonstrate sustainable living practices.
(ACARA, 2013)
Critical analysis
The use of educational gaming software, such as Minecraft in the classroom provides opportunities for “creative integration of information that gives rise to new and original thought” (Soujah, 2014, p.24). Whilst being educational and highly engaging, it allows “students to create authentic learning tasks” (Callaghan, 2016, p.258) based on their learning area, whilst developing skills such as data sharing, designing and creating content (Callaghan, 2016). Difficulties with such a learning tool arise from logistical issues, and will require technical support to be available at the implementation stage (Chai, Lim, So & Cheah 2011).
Resource details
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Hour of Code provides accessible, interactive and engaging coding challenges, suitable for classroom use, that can be completed within an hour.
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Suitable for all operating systems and mobile devices.
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Free for all users.
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Foundation – Adult (Age 5 +).
Explanation
Hour of Code enables students to meet capability 4 “Creating with ICT”. Choosing from a range of interactive coding challenges, students develop abstract thinking and problem solving skills to “generate solutions to challenges and learning area tasks”. These skills will enable students to participate in a school wide coding challenge to design and create a new app in English.
(ACARA, 2013)
Critical Analysis
Code.org programs provide students with “opportunities to develop mathematical concepts, problem solving and social skills” (Kalelioğlu, 2015, p.209). Difficult concepts such as programming and computer science, can be learned and understood by students when presented on this platform (Kalelioğlu, 2015). Some challenges with using a coding program for the creation of an app is the teacher expertise and skills in supporting and guiding students during this process. As such, teachers need to become part of the learning community, with expertise being shared among students, external experts and educators (Chai, Lim, So & Cheah 2011).