This week in a course I take called Web Tools For Global Leaner, I read a chapter in the Sail The 7 Cs with Microsoft Education, all about Communicators. The chapter explained multiple ways that people can communicate with everyone around the world. Some of the communication platforms that were discussed are Immersive Reader, Microsoft Translator, Minecraft, Powerpoint, Sway, Microsoft Forms, Microsoft Temas, Flipgrid, and Skype. All of these platforms are very useful when it comes to using them in a classroom for communication propursoes. Communication is very important in the classroom, not only just between students and teachers or students with other students, but between a classroom and another class across the globe.
The one platform I learned more about that I am going to be speaking on using Minecraft for communicating. In chapter two of Sail The 7 Cs with Microsoft Education, Monika Limmer, a teacher from New Zealand, tells a story on how her more reluctant students began writing from frequently because they used the chat in Minecraft to communicate with others in the game. These students are the ones who do not feel comfortable speaking or can not physically speak verbally. With the in-game chat function, all her students are able to communicate when it comes to doing group projects. Monika’s students are able to contribute and show their understanding in a way that fits their learning goals when they use this technology source to communicate.
Now I do not think I personally would use Minecraft in my classroom because the age group I want to teach is too young for gaming, but I think that Minecraft is a great way to get older students to communicate easily. Not only can Minecraft just be used during work between classmates but by using the in-game chat, youngsters can talk to others around the world. If a teacher wants to create a project and have their students get in contact with others in a different location, then they can use Minecraft as a fun way.
