Architecture History + Minecraft = AWESOME! (FLEX / 10-week version)

This is the extended version of the 6-week "Minecraft + Architecture History = AWESOME!" course. The content is the same but focuses on one architectural style per week. The weekly time commitment to this course is approximately 2-4 hours rather than 4-8 hours in the 5-week course. 

The "Minecraft + Architecture History = AWESOME!" course will teach students about 10 architectural styles to include ancient architecture (Native American, Egyptian, Roman, and Greek), Medieval Romanesque and Gothic, Renaissance, early American, Victorian and Queen Anne, Modern, and 21st Century postmodern architecture.  

This course will follow a “flexible schedule” and does not have scheduled online meetings. This flexible schedule allows students to work at any time, 24/7 for the duration of the course. Thus, keeping all students working at a similar pace but not requiring them to attend online class meetings in Zoom at a set time. This "flex" course works great for families with varied schedules and allows students from any time zone to participate! 

On average, students will complete 2-4 hours of work per week during the course. Students can add to the Minecraft construction projects they create during the course in their own spare time. There is no limit on the number of architecturally inspired buildings they can create in Minecraft!

Each Monday morning (Pacific time zone) the tasks for the week will be unlocked and available to enrolled learners. The weekly tasks include reading notes, taking quizzes, watching video lessons, creating your Minecraft builds, and posting screenshots/pictures of your Minecraft builds so your classmates and teacher can see them. The teacher will provide feedback on your weekly tasks and can always be reached via the Outschool message/email system with any questions. To stay on track, students should use the provided pacing guide each week of which tasks should be completed each day (Mon-Fri). However, the weekly tasks and hours of work time can be spread out over many days or condensed to fewer days depending on the students’ personal schedule. Students should be sure to complete the weekly tasks before the next week of tasks are unlocked to stay on track. 

Regarding Minecraft:
Each student will need a Minecraft account. Class participants will do all Minecraft building on their own personal device. Any version of Minecraft (PC/Mac computer, Minecraft for Windows10, Xbox, PlayStation, Switch, or other gaming consoles, Minecraft PE for iPad, Android tablets, etc.) will work for this course. The purchase of Minecraft must be made separately and prior to the start of class. Students with a few weeks of Minecraft experience through play or otherwise will have the skills needed to complete the builds in Minecraft. Minecraft is a building tool for this course (think of it as digital building blocks). The lessons and information in this course are not official Minecraft products and are not associated with Mojang.

What is NOT included:
This course will not include a group server or realm. Students can work together if their devices are compatible but partner/group projects are not required. Most learners will build in Minecraft on their own. This course will not include instructions on how to build in Minecraft. This is intentional so that learners can strengthen their creativity and exercise their minds to make their own creations.

The "Week 1: Ancient Architecture part 1" unit will teach students about the ancient structures created by the Egyptians and Native Americans. 

In "Week 2: Ancient Architecture part 2" students will learn about the structures created by the Romans and Greeks.

In "Week 3: Gargoyles and Angels part 1" students will learn the history and significance of Medieval era architecture and buildings of the 10th-13th centuries. 

The "Week 4: Gargoyles and Angels part 2" unit will teach students about Renaissance-era architects and the buildings of the 14th-17th centuries.

During "Week 5: For the Queen, part 1" students will learn about early American architecture of the 1600-1700s. 

During "Week 6: For the Queen, part 2" students will learn the history and significance of Queen Anne and Victorian periods of the 1700-1800s. 

For the "Week 7: Make it Modern part 1" unit, students will learn about the modern style buildings of the late 1800s to the mid-1900’s such as the first skyscrapers and flat-roofed shapes of mid-century modern designs.

For the "Week 8: Make it Modern part 2" unit, students will see the latest and greatest buildings of the 21st century from around the globe. 

"Week 9: The good, bad and ugly of postmodern and futurism" students will use Minecraft to create their own designs based on futurism and other postmodern styles. Students will learn that not every building is an architectural masterpiece, and sometimes that's OK! This week will also look at the current trends in architecture as we moved into the coming years and decades. 

"Week 10: Catch Up and Wrap Up" students will use this week to view the creations of their classmates, reply to any incomplete discussion posts, complete any missing quizzes or other work, finish any Minecraft builds that are not yet complete or create something new based on all of the information they have learned. 

All student participants must have a working version of Minecraft to participate. Any costs for Minecraft accounts are not included with the course fee.  

As a "Flex" course offering, this class does not include live class meetings in Zoom but teacher-to-learner and learner-to-learner interaction are expected from course participants in the online classroom. These interactions will take place using the Outschool message delivery system so learners and the teacher can interact on a one-on-one basis for questions and feedback. Group discussions will be visible to all learners in the course and students are expected to post, share, and comment on the Minecraft creations of their classmates.  

This course will follow Outschool’s “Flexible” refund policy. For more information on the Outschool refund policy, you can view the website here:   
https://support.outschool.com/about-outschool/refund-policies-and-happiness-guarantee