Just on the topic of gaming and community and co-opeartion.

Just on the topic of gaming and community and co-opeartion. We have just started a project with a school across the pond. We know nothing of the place, didn't even know it existed up to a week ago. Lo and behold I get this email from one of my students.... What do you think his level of motivation is to get into this project now? Is he going to influence the attitude of the rest of the class? Questions? (Ignore the language, the email was written in haste ;-)

Today the kids in class 6 had to write some phrases to associate to 6 topics.

Today the kids in class 6 had to write some phrases to associate to 6 topics. One of the topics was (surprise) Minecraft. The other categories were clothes, places, buildings, kitchen, etc. You will probably not be surprised that the Minecraft card had more words than any of the other categories, it was great to see them go through their "Inventory". And then writing comparative and superlative sentences with words chosen from the cards.

This is the video I mentioned.

This is the video I mentioned. My students (grade 6) could choose any way to dramatise a story from the coursebook. Now I can appreciate even more the effort that went into this short movie. The three boys spent hours on Skype over the weekend doing their homework.... ;-) Not to mention all the essential skills they developed far beyond a relatively straightforward reading comprehension activity. This was the moment I realised that I wanted to tap into #minecraft  as a learning and teaching tool. (Yes, I did get the boys' permission to show you this video - they were very proud and happy when I asked for it.)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7oTqxUEYP9Y&feature=share

Sophie was intrigued by Minecraft so she had a wander.

Originally shared by Tamas Lorincz

Sophie was intrigued by Minecraft so she had a wander.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RpWB8A9UQxw&feature=autoshare

I had an amazing day playing around.

I had an amazing day playing around. My students told me never to play single player but that's what I have done. Although I never managed to survive the first night but following Filip Smolčec 's brilliant tutorial I got to creating a hideout, using an axe and torches in survivor mode. That's way more than I expected ever to be able to do here. Thanks for all the support and the patience. As Vance Stevens said this is an excellent opportunity to find time to do something new and a great way of learning together. It has been a fun first week.

My #evomc15 introduction at last.

My #evomc15  introduction  at last.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WeDzsLIGwC8