Serendip is an independent site partnering with faculty at multiple colleges and universities around the world. Happy exploring!

abradycole's blog

abradycole's picture

Minecraft reflection

I've been spending quite a bit of time wandering around to see what kinds of projects everyone else has been working on to get ideas about what to put my efforts and time toward. One of the most universally beneficial things we've done so far on this server is to start the communal farm in order to get everyone on a more level playing field. If people aren't spending time making food for themselves, they can use that time to work on their houses and generally become more competent in the game. I know I've really benefitted from these assets and because of that help am now able to give back to our Minecraft community by replacing what I took. I wonder what other ways we could get the whole class to a more even level. Perhaps we could have people working together at specific times to work on projects together.

abradycole's picture

Minecraft Blog

Struggle

Starting off on this Minecraft journey, I was intimidated to say the least. I've never been a gamer. Basic playing of The Sims and Animal Crossing is the extent to which I've been exposed to computer and video games. I worried that my inexperience would hold me back in ways that my classmates wouldn’t have to worry about. When we played in multiplayer mode on the same server in class, I just wandered around aimlessly trying not to get killed. By the end of that class I definitely hadn’t gotten the hang of crafting yet, and the monsters and other players killed me several times.

Accomplishment

Since then, I’ve been playing on both the multiplayer server and in my own single-player world. I’ve found that playing on Creative Mode allows me to play without restrictions. Everything is open to you from the get-go, so I now know where I’m headed in the multiplayer game. In my own world I’ve built several large buildings and a lovely little garden.

Observation

abradycole's picture

Placement Reflection Week 1

This week our group has been trying to figure out the logistics of our placement visits. We're so excited to get involved in the classroom. 

Right now I'm just feeling excited to actually get involved. I think our group has a solid framework set up for how we want to navigate our placement, so we're now just waiting for input from the teacher. I can't wait to get started.

abradycole's picture

Course Reflection

Already, in the first few weeks we've been in this class, my perception of technology in education has changed drastically. Our reading of Selwyn's Education and Technology: Key Issues and Debates has complicated and expanded my understanding of the many possibilities technology allows for formal and informal education.

Our own project on a Selwyn chapter was challenging in a way that I had not expected. I used Tumblr, a website I associate with mindless procrastination (because that's how most of my friends use it), to present my project. I used it in a way that I didn't know was possible, and it has expanded my idea of how social media and communication on the internet can and should be used academically. I had to work to overcome a nagging sense that because of the medium I was using, my work was not legitimate or worthwhile. I felt a little bit guilty until I finished my project, but then realized that the medium I had used really can be utilized for academic purposes.

I hope I can continue, through this course, to explore and discover new avenues for communication and education. I think our work with Minecraft and Twitter will definitely help me with that.

Syndicate content