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Playing Survival Minecraft With a Computer Scientist (Java Edition)

Each week I run a structured gaming class. In addition to playing the game, I can also answer questions about commands, command blocks, and modding.
Josiah Blaisdell M.Sc.
Average rating:
5.0
Number of reviews:
(30)
Class
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What's included

1 live meeting
1 hrs 15 mins in-class hours per week

Class Experience

I will moderate Minecraft Java Edition survival worlds for 3 - 9 students in this course. The activity each day will be decided by the learners (learner-directed). We may compete to survive in a hard survival world, talk about efficient methods to find diamonds, how to manage resources, and how to build a survival home, and I will answer questions about the game that the students have. One popular game involves choosing one player as a runner while all the other players team up to eliminate the runner. The runner is trying to kill the Enderdragon. If the runner is successful, then they get a win. If the chasers are successful, then they get a win. Another popular game is team survival. With Java, there will be many options. I am also open to using mods for the game. We are pretty open to rules, and if you have an idea for a game/rule, we can always put it up for a vote.

A lot of times during the game, players asked me to set the time to day, teleport them places or give them food/resources. I can do this but only if the group agrees unanimously. 

There are a few gameplay rules: 
    ⇢ You cannot grief
    ⇢ All players must read what griefing is: https://minecraft.fandom.com/wiki/Tutorials/Griefing_prevention and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Griefer . 
    ⇢ You cannot accuse another player of griefing during gameplay. However, you may ask a player to "stop," If I hear someone asking another player to stop and the other player isn't stopping, I will address it by separating the players into breakout rooms, getting each perspective, and finding a peaceful resolution. 
    ⇢ Players may submit structure blocks to me for importing their creations outside of class into our game, but they must give me at least two days' notice. If you don't give me two days' notice, I cannot guarantee your structure will be imported in time for the next class. 
    ⇢ Gamers can interact with other players throughout the session and me but must mute their mic (or ensure there is no background noise) when not speaking.
    ⇢ Spamming the text chat or voice channel is inappropriate and will be handled swiftly.
    ⇢ Class will begin on time, and I will probably not have time to troubleshoot the Minecraft client for you. Make sure to test it before class begins. The course will also end on time but may occasionally go overtime for a few minutes.
     ⇢ If students want to play outside the class, it must go through the parents, not me.
 
To address griefing, the person who has been griefed *must* message me in the Outschool messaging system after class and explain what happened, who they think did it, and why they believe it is griefing. Once I receive the grief report, I will communicate with the accused and explain what happened. I will try and find a peaceful resolution; a peaceful solution may require players to share their screens so that their activity in the game is recorded. Accusations of griefing during gameplay are serious and should be taken seriously, and repeated allegations of griefing will also be dealt with appropriately.
Learning Goals
How to work together, compete, and make good choices while playing a video game online with friends.
learning goal

Other Details

Parental Guidance
This class uses Minecraft Java Edition. The game requires each learner to have an account. Minecraft Java Edition is now bundled with bedrock when you purchase the game for the PC. Your learner's Gamertag will be shared with me during the class. However, I only communicate with students through a separate account I have created for the purpose of outschool, I do not share my personal Gamertag information, and I do not communicate with students outside of class time.
Supply List
Minecraft: Java Edition, a PC or MacBook, and a mouse. I recommend taking this class with a computer and a mouse. However, if you would like to use a controller instead of a mouse, that is ok. I think it is important for people to learn how to use a keyboard and mouse, and so I encourage parents to use them for this class.
External Resources
In addition to the Outschool classroom, this class uses:
Not an official Minecraft product. Not approved or associated with Mojang.
Joined October, 2021
5.0
30reviews
Profile
Teacher expertise and credentials
1) I can teach introductory computer science for K-12 grade. I can also teach or tutor students who are in high school in mathematics: calculus, multi-variate calculus, linear algebra and proof writing.
2) I am named in two patents related to digital signage technology, I have published a couple of papers using computer science and machine learning to solve challenges in environmental science and medicine. I have also had some experience in the video game industry as a developer and tester.
4) I value the following:
    *Low-risk competition
    *Social-emotional growth through the development of "soft" skills
    *Student-centered learning
    *Increasing a child's memory capacity
    *Computer and simulation fluency
    *Strategic thinking and problem-solving
I find a lot of joy in working with kids, my philosophy is to let mistakes happen and to be there to help them learn how to recover quickly and confidently. I believe this can be done using video games! I am married, my wife and I live in Oregon, my wife teaches calculus at Oregon State University and here on Outschool!

Reviews

Live Group Class
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$18

weekly
1x per week
75 min

Completed by 9 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 10-15
3-9 learners per class

This class is no longer offered
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