Students of CAIS MYP1-3 have begun using Google SketchUp to model plans and designs for their new city and society in Minecraft. Alongside brainstorming sessions and written briefs of how they will work collaboratively to achieve their goals, they have used SketchUp and other 2D tools to help them visualise important structures. This forms part of the IB Investigate and Design stages of the Design Cycle.

Minecraft investigation and design stage

As we move forward the groups will negotiate the key structures that will be built and teams will be setup to begin construction at a later stage. Consideration of available materials at outset will be taken into account. Groups will negotiate how the Minecraft stage will start off – in creative or survival mode. As tutor I will take into consideration whether to start the game in survival mode with building materials provided in a strategic storage area. How the groups make decisions on materials, sharing and collaboration will be key to evolution of the project. Here is an example IB lesson plan detailing some of this weeks instructions. The groups are also collaborating using our Computer Technology Moodle site.

Minecraft SketchUp planning...