Yes, Minecraft is one big tinkering studio, letting users play, experiment, and create! I like the connection there.
In the case of the Inevitable Betrayal village/castle, I think the girls' engagement and intentionality were evident from the product they created. As they talked about their work, there were hints of innovation and solidarity. From those four qualities, yes, learning is going on.
I feel some desire to define what they are learning, though. I mean, if their tour and discussion of the IB village and castle demonstrated learning, what kind of badge could we award to show outsiders what they had accomplished? I think educators who observe students work/play in Minecraft definitely observe valuable learning, but not everyone gets to do those observations.
Can we honor and demonstrate what kids are learning in some concrete way like a badge? Is there a value to that? Should we?
Final note: I just stumbled on the
Massively @ Jokaydia's list of Awards. This is akin to what I was envisioning.
Kristina Thoennes
Media Coordinator (a.k.a. Library Teacher)
Mooresville Intermediate School, NC
"Never give up, never surrender!" Commander Taggart,
Galaxy Quest