In the current time, the communication of basic democratic values and the common pursuit of peace is more important than ever. The Nobel Peace Center, the organization Games for Change and developer Mojang therefore have in common the interactive learning experience Active Citizen
was launched to encourage school children around the world to create a peaceful world.
So now in the classroom: Minecraft is and will remain a real long runner. But why is it like that? And what good is the block hit nowadays anyway? We tell you in this video:
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Minecraft – Now the block classic is really exciting again!
Play and learn with the Dalai Lama
the Education Edition
Minecraft has been used in classrooms for some time to convey learning content in a playful way. This goal applies to Active Citizen too, because instead of having children copy from a blackboard, we want them to think while they play Minecraft.
As part of the Active Citizen experience, schoolchildren will meet four Nobel Peace Prize laureates: Malala Yousafzai, Wangari Maathai, to the Dalai Lama and Fridtjof Nansen. Each of these personalities presents the children with challenges that have to be solved in the game in order to get closer to the goal of peace.
At the end of Active Citizen, the children should finally become active themselves and build a block structure of it, which means for them to actively participate in living together. The Nobel Peace Center will be the resultant Present creations from all over the world in an exhibition.
Kjersti Fløgstad, Executive Director of the Nobel Peace Center explains why she thinks collaborating with Minecraft is the right choice to reach the young generation:
We believe the stories of Nobel Peace Prize winners have the power to inspire people to create a better world. With this game, we want to inspire the next generation to become active citizens and engage with causes they care about – on a platform where they feel at home.
Being awarded a Nobel Peace Prize is impossible for most of us, but by inviting players to learn some skills from the laureates, hopefully everyone will realize that they can play a part in making the world a better place close.
If reading this article makes you want to play another round of Minecraft, you should make sure that your account is still working. Because old Java accounts will soon be retired:
Minecraft
Java accounts will be banned soon
Learning doesn’t stop with playing
Active Citizen launches March 1st for Minecraft: Education Edition in 112 countries and 29 languages. But digital building is not the end of the story: in addition to the game, there are also Resources for the real classroom available, including syllabi and discussion guides for students aged 8-16.
What do you think of interactive learning experiences in the classroom? Do you see potential in the possibility of bringing children closer to complex issues in a playful way, or do you view such things with skepticism? Do you have or did you have such or similar experiences at your own school? Let us know in the comments!
