More on Minecraft...

The Myth of the Minecraft Curriculum

Some Struggles Teachers Face Using Games in the Classroom

“I think [games are] best when paired with reflective conversation,” Robertson said. “It’s developing the awareness of what you’re doing. The only way to really develop metacognition is to have a conversation with someone who can ask Socratic questions.”

I've said this more than a few times...  having a piano in your room doesn't make you a better music teacher and a computer in your room won't make you a better teacher.
Actually - being "on" the computer doesn't make you a better learner or improve the quality of your learning either - and neither will playing Minecraft, necessarily - high quality learning opportunities are limited with anything without a particularly inquisitive mind, a purpose or some kind of guidance/facilitation.

A computer is just like a pencil - it is a tool for learning; a method of expression, communication - not the be all end all in itself. It's about the reflection and deeper thinking that goes into it.
Thought also needs to go into the sharing aspect too ---- if you use a computer in solitude, deep in the forest and come up with the answers to life the universe and everything... does it make a sound? Ok, I totally messed with metaphors then but I hope you get the (messy) point I was trying to make...


Teaching in the Age of Minecraft

Like many 11-year-olds in Texas, Ethan had to build a model of the Alamo as a school project. Often, students make their dioramas out of paper mache or popsicle sticks, but Ethan’s teacher gave him permission to build his project in Minecraft, the popular sandbox software game in which players build structures out of blocks. With his dad’s help, Ethan recorded a video tour of his scale model of the fort, complete with explanatory signs, and posted it on YouTube. A few minutes into the tour, it started raining unexpectedly over Ethan’s diorama, but Ethan noted, "This is exactly what happened during the battle of the Alamo—it rained." To his dad—and, presumably, his teacher—this comment revealed Ethan’s familiarity and knowledge with the subject matter that he might not have had otherwise shown.

This probably needs more thought - as, likely totally off topic, I am lamenting the purposefulness of a blog that hardly anyone will ever read!