Technology is taken for granted in younger people for the simple fact of being “digital natives”, but the degree of digital competence is highly variable despite being intensive users of certain applications and devices.
At IGNITE we work on digital competence in very diverse ways in our activities and we focus on learning a new language: programming in the context of computational thinking. An exciting and fun way to introduce students to programming is through Minecraft Education. In this article, we will explore the benefits of learning to program with video games and how this formula can turn education into an exciting and educational experience.
1. Active and practical learning
Coding in Minecraft Education puts students in the driver's seat of their own learning. They have a wide variety of resources to create, modify and customize their own world within the game, which gives them the opportunity to directly apply the programming concepts learned while designing their own settings, characters and game mechanics. As they adjust their creations, children learn to think logically and solve problems effectively.
2. Motivation and creativity
Learning programming in a virtual environment like Minecraft is highly motivating for boys and girls. The possibility of instantly seeing the results of your work in the virtual world is very rewarding and feeds back the desire to continue exploring and discovering new structures and commands. Students live this experience as a creative exercise, designing unique worlds, creating personalized challenges and programming unique interactions. This creative freedom encourages the desire for experimentation and innovative thinking.
3. Understand programming logic
Minecraft Education provides a solid foundation for understanding programming logic. Boys and girls learn essential concepts such as loops, conditionals, and variables while working on their projects. This new programming knowledge is presented in an intuitive and attractive way, facilitating its understanding and application to specific (and sometimes very challenging) challenges.
4. Problem Solving and Collaboration
When programming in Minecraft it's not just about writing code, it's also about tackling challenges and learning how to solve problems. Students can work together on projects, which encourages collaboration and teamwork. Programming thus becomes a tool to overcome obstacles and achieve the objectives set in the game, which motivates children to improve their skills.
5. Preparation for the Future
There is no doubt that as technology plays an increasingly important role in society, programming skills and the incorporation of computational thinking become more valuable in the world of work. Introducing children to programming from an early age gives them a clear advantage in their future careers. that will be inseparable from technological advance.
In short, learning programming with Minecraft Education is not only a very productive educational method, but it is also exciting and motivating. As children explore this fantastic world of blocks and code, they are paving the way for a future full of opportunities. If you are interested in providing your children with this unique opportunity, we invite you to explore IGNITE Serious Play extracurricular activities in programming with Minecraft.
