One of the most popular games finding its way into classrooms
now isn’t much of a game at all. Released originally in 2009,
Minecraft is a “sandbox” 3D video game built in a Lego-like
environment that allows “players” the creative freedom to build
anything, from towering castles set high on ocean cliffs to
complex roller coasters. Players mine in the ground for
resources that they can use to create torches (to keep
“creepers“ away) and tools. Depending on whose server they play
on, all of it can become collaborative space for creating
virtual communities complete with roles, economies and
negotiated rules. Teacher Kathleen Gerard at PS 116 in New York
City is integrating Minecraft into her regular classes after
having an after-school group of third- through fifth-graders
playing the last two years. She says the learning her students
receive borders on amazing. “My students are almost
frighteningly enthusiastic about Minecraft, so they do a lot of
game-specific learning on their own by watching Minecraft scree