Architecture Course in Minecraft: Design & Build Like an Architect (8-Session)
Delve into the world of Architecture and learn what it means to think like an architect while you explore the principles of building design to fulfill clientele needs (Minecraft Java Edition for PC / Mac Only. NO iPad or Tablet).
Connected Camps
Average rating:
4.7
Number of reviews:(4,017)
Popular
What's included
8 live meetings
12 in-class hoursHomework
This class does not require any out-of-class work. We do offer optional challenges that students can work on as an extension of what is taught in class. We provide guidance and instructions for students who are inspired to delve deeper into the topic. The purpose of these challenges is to give students the opportunity to supplement their learning with additional material that aligns with their passions and goals. Students may then integrate their learnings into their project and showcase their accomplishments to their classmates. With this approach, students can explore the subject on their own. We give students the opportunity to share what they’ve explored independently with the class.Assessment
At Connected Camps, we assess each student’s progress by engaging them in reflection of their own work and the work of their classmates. By building in Minecraft and applying concepts taught in class, our students are able to solidify their learnings through hands-on application. Our counselors’ focus is to provide qualitative feedback to further each students’ individual goals and interests, and we do not use letter or number grades. In addition to our in-class reflections, our counselors also provide post-session recaps that offer a summary of what is accomplished each day. Through these summary reflections, students are able to review the material and share with their parents what they did in class. We find this approach allows kids of different interests and abilities to engage with our teachings in a way that is particularly relevant to them.Grading
includedClass Experience
PLATFORM: (Minecraft Java Edition for PC / Mac Only! Not compatible with Ipads, Kindles, Tablets, Phones, and Game Consoles.) SKILL LEVEL: This program is meant for Intermediate level players. This program requires Moderate reading comprehension, Basic proficiency with computers, and some prior experience with Minecraft. PROGRAM OVERVIEW: Architecture is more than just the fun of making cool buildings. In this class, you will learn to think and present like an architect then create buildings that make your clients happy using Worldedit. Like all Connected Camps programs, this class offers a project-based, exploratory classroom environment that sits at the intersection of learning and playing. After all, kids learn the most when they're having fun! We'll teach you the same principles and building types architects use in the real world so you can make your structures look just like the ones you see everyday. We will explore styles from around the world including Victorian, Modern, Craftsman, Mediterranean, Tudor, Colonial, and more! During this class, you'll learn how to: — Combine different materials, colors, and shapes to create stunning buildings. — Use floor plans and blueprints to map the interior and exterior of your structures. — Create your own Minecraft architecture firm to show off your personal flair. — Design projects based on clients' needs and make changes until they are happy with your work. — Learn to showcase and present like an Architect. — Use special tools that resemble real world applications to create model buildings! — Learn about the economy and interact in a small local economy What you take from this course is practical – this means you can use what you've learned to read and design blueprints, create impressive, memorable structures that will be admired even after the class ends. At the start of each day, we'll introduce different topics to discuss and explore. After the discussion, we'll jump right into creation mode and use what we've learned in our newest designs. As the class comes to an end, we'll tour and showcase to fellow campers about each others' creations and get feedback so you can make your buildings even cooler! PARENTS: This course is structured as a friendly online studio for kids to find inspiration and motivation while connected with other architecture enthusiasts. With an emphasis on real-life application, your child will not only learn about building designs but also the trade of a professional architect. This is an 8-session course that lasts 8 weeks. We balance group discussion time with plenty of hands-on experience with other students. This way, students can cement what they’re learning and fully explore the topics they're interested in. By combining Minecraft with education, your child will be able to engage their passions as they have fun in a positive, interest-driven environment. Please note that we will be asking for your camper's in-game username so that we can add them to our server's safelist.
Learning Goals
— Day 1 - Set Up and Styles, Materials, Colors & Shape: Our primary goal for this day is to assist students in joining the Minecraft class and to familiarize kids with our course’s objectives. To begin, we’ll show students how styles, materials, colors, and shapes affect the final building. The class will then put these skills into practice with smaller builds, with the goal of developing a palette they prefer.
— Day 2 - Blueprints and Worldedit: How does an architect design a blueprint or a floor plan? As these designs lay out the foundations of a house, students will learn how to design a floor plan and create one for their estate. Afterwards, they will practice Worldedit by raising the walls of their floor plan.
— Day 3 - Interior Design: Once a floor plan is in place, our junior architects can then expand on those to build rooms and furnish the interior. We’ll show the class how to match interiors and what makes a design good with examples and through lectures.
— Day 4 - Exterior Design and Showcase: To complete their homes, students will learn more about exterior design and how windows, roofs, and other features can be both visually appealing and functional. Students will learn how to properly showcase their builds and practice with their completed building.
— Day 5 - Architecture Firm: By creating an architecture firm, architects are able to find clients. In this session, students will discover how architects market themselves and build their own company building.
— Day 6 - Scenes and Showcase: Students will continue to finish their architecture firm. Then they will move onto designing scenes which are model examples to show the talents of our architects. Lastly, they will showcase the architecture firm and scenes with us.
— Day 7 - Economy and Working with Clients: Students will design and build a few projects to fulfill requirements established by their clients. They will learn about the economy and how to adapt as clients may have different needs throughout the duration of the project.
— Day 8 - Adapting, Feedback, and Celebration: Similar to the previous session, students will continue to design and fulfill projects as needed by their clients. After showcasing the work, they will receive feedback on what can be improved, tour other students’ creations, and spend their earned money!
Other Details
Parental Guidance
Internet safety is a top priority for us and our goal is to create a safe, connected community of learners that is moderated by our instructors. Throughout our programs we strive to educate our learners on internet safety and best practices for connecting online.
In our programs, our learners are often making friendships and connections with others in class. While we encourage positive online friendships, we think it’s important to practice these principles of internet safety:
— Do NOT ask others to connect online outside of our programs without first confirming with your parents. Our programs are a safe, moderated space for learners to engage but we can’t moderate connections outside of our classes.
— Do NOT give away personal information which includes but is not limited to: your name, address, phone number, passwords, location, email address, and parental information.
— If an individual asks for personal information, you should inform a counselor or your parent for guidance.
———
Common Sense Media Resources for Parents:
https://www.commonsense.org/education/videos/keeping-games-fun-and-friendly
Keeping Games Fun and Friendly: learn how to keep your child's experiences positive and fun when communicating in online games with others.
https://www.commonsense.org/education/video/modal/4141366#
The Power of Words: help your child learn that words exchanged online are indeed powerful, and offer strategies to use when confronted with cyberbullying.
https://www.commonsense.org/education/videos/private-and-personal-information
Private and Personal Information: learn the difference between what personal things your child can safely share online and private information that should not be shared.
Supply List
A Minecraft Java Edition account must be purchased by the learner. Participants will receive access to the Connected Camps Minecraft Server where the program will be run. To access the server, each learner will need the Java edition of Minecraft and will need to set their version release to 1.15.2. Other Minecraft versions like the "Minecraft for Windows 10 version", console editions, and pocket editions for mobile devices will not work for this course. A pair of headphones and microphone are also needed for communication with the class.
External Resources
In addition to the Outschool classroom, this class uses:
Not an official Minecraft product. Not approved or associated with Mojang.
Joined June, 2020
4.7
4017reviews
Popular
Teacher expertise and credentials
Connected Camps is a not-for-profit organization founded in 2015 with the mission to build a global online community where kids build, code, play, and learn alongside one another. Our programs are designed based on extensive research in the learning sciences. The founders and leaders of Connected Camps, Mimi Ito and Katie Salen, are professors at the University of California, Irvine, who specialize in the design of online learning experiences that are fun, social, and directly tied to academic outcomes. Learn more about the research behind Connected Camps at the Connected Learning Alliance resource site: https://clalliance.org/
One thing that makes our programs unique is our near-peer mentorship model. Our programs are led by young adults and college students, often with the help of high school volunteers. We hire counselors and coaches from top universities in computer science, game development, economics, social studies, and the arts, and train them on how to facilitate project-based learning with younger kids. Our young instructors have the same passion for technology, games, and digital making as our learners, and take on the role of instructors, as well as fellow enthusiasts and relatable role models.
The curriculum for this program was designed by a team of counselors pursuing degrees relevant to the material at hand. The learning experiences in this class are driven by these counselors’ academic expertise in the field, along with their desire to share their passion for the subject with a group of excited learners. All of Connected Camps’ curricula are vetted by the organization’s Product Manager, Matthew, who possesses a Masters in Secondary Education and a deep belief in the power of collaborative virtual learning.Reviews
Live Group Class
$155
for 8 classes1x per week, 8 weeks
90 min
Completed by 433 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 8-13
3-12 learners per class
