Minecraft in Art?

     With the shift towards a TAB classroom (see Changes in the art room) several students have taken their art making to the computer.  I have allowed some of the students to use Minecraft as a way to express their creativity and sculptural skills in a student friendly and less intimidating environment.  These students will be using the creative mode to help develop their architectural/problem solving skills in an engaging media.  “Minecraft allows the students to explore, collect resources, and then build anything they can imagine.  Players can also play together in the same world and collaborate on larger projects.  Think of it at 21st century online Legos that you can play with your friends.”

     Currently students are familiarizing themselves with the program.  Eventually we will be working on a Post-apocalyptic project.  Students will be working across art classes to rebuild a world that has been destroyed by a major world event.  Students that choose to participate in this project will develop journals to document their involvement in rebuilding the world.  Students will also develop architectural/city planning, aesthetic design, team building, and communication skills. 

While working in Minecraft students are addressing several of the Colorado Visual Arts Standards.

Standards Addressed:

1.      Observe and Learn to Comprehend

•      1.1    The characteristics and expressive features of art and design are used in unique ways to respond to two- and three-dimensional art
•      1.3   Specific art vocabulary is used to describe, analyze, and interpret works of art

2.            Envision and Critique to Reflect

• 2.2.   Key concepts, issues, and themes connect the visual arts to other disciplines such as the humanities, sciences, mathematics, social studies and technology

3.            Invent and Discover to Create

• 3.1.         Plan the creation of a work of art
• 3.2.         Explore various media, materials, and techniques used to create works of art
• 3.3.         Utilize current, available technology to refine ideas in works of art

4.            Relate and connect to Transfer

• 4.1.         Critical thinking in the arts transfers to multiple lifelong endeavors
• 4.2.         Visual arts impact community, cultural traditions, and events

Examples of student work so far:

Work of Minecraft art from around the web:

Related Links:

http://minecraftinschool.com/

http://minecraftedu.com/wiki/index.php?title=Main_Page

http://liamodonnell.com/feedingchange/2011/05/messy-learning-with-minecraft/