Getting Started

Barbara Johnson

• May 07, 2021 19:49
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Hi, all.  I am a computer science professor (college) and am familiar with playing Minecraft; so many of the introductory lessons are things I already know.  How do I get started with coding in Minecraft EDU and making worlds that my students can use for lessons?

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  Debbie Alexander

  • May 14, 2021 15:36
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  Hi. it's great to meet another computer scientist! Are your students planning to be educators, or are they planning to be computer scientists? What language do you want them to learn?

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  Barbara Johnson

  • May 14, 2021 19:29
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  There are a couple of different directions I'd like to go in:

  1. Non-majors learning to code in Python.  That looks very feasible from playing around with the Python 101 worlds, and I think it would be more fun for many students than our current labs.  
  2. Majors who are learning or know Java and want to work with specific algorithms (genetic algorithm, for instance).  
  3. CS students working with faculty to create educational content (game-based learning) for other disciples, such as biology (especially evolution).   These students haven't learned Python, but I think they could pick it up quickly.  And students who know Java could mod the Java edition (I'm also looking into that version of the program).  

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  Debbie Alexander

  • May 14, 2021 21:23
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  I can definitely vouch for learning Python for non-majors. My high school students are learning arrays and algorithms such as navigating mazes, and I expect that you will be able to conduct a very reasonable program for non-majors with Python in either the notebooks editor or the make code editor.
  I can't speak to Java, as I haven't used it very much yet.
  The game based learning aspect of Minecraft would not require extensive coding so much as an understanding of world building in Minecraft. Understanding the use of text commands in the chat window and command blocks would probably be much more valuable, as well as understanding the use of general tools like boards and NPCs, etc. I'm sure there are more complex mods that I am unaware of that may play in to the situation.
  In any event, It certainly will be a lot of fun to code in Minecraft and Python! We have certainly had a blast.

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