A0: Mark G, co-founder of the chat, from Southern NJ, former elementary Educator and currently tech director. I taught a class with students with multiple abilities and ranges. Very positive response frmo #SPED students when working with #MinecraftEDU
Steve from NJ. I teach game design and development to middle school students. I started my career teaching students with developmental disabilities and before that worked with adults with disabilities. #minecraftedu
Q1: What is your experience working with or interacting with children and students on the autistic spectrum, and are you on the spectrum yourself? #MinecraftEDU
Q1: What is your experience working with or interacting with children and students on the autistic spectrum, and are you on the spectrum yourself? #MinecraftEDU
A0 & A1: I'm known as 'Momibelle' to about 500+ kids in and around the Lower Mainland of BC who have taken my program. @emibelle_ is my daughter (diagnosed #ASD) and co-founder of MCKids. (She's in school RN). : )
#MinecraftEdu
A1: Although I am not diagnosed, I may be mildly on the spectrum, if you met me, you probably know what I am talking about. I have worked with many kids in regular classroom and enrichment classrooms on the Spectrum in one form or another. #MinecraftEDU
Joe, do you find it easier for you to relate with your students on the spectrum, or does this create more barriers/obstacles for both of you? #MinecraftEDU
Very interesting. Do you feel that your experience with your daughter has helped drive your decisions in education and teaching w/ games like #MinecraftEDU
In my experience, I have seen these "unlikely" students become very friendly and involved, working and collaborating together in #MinecraftEDU when they may not usually interact. Have you seen this too?
It depends on the student, with some it has definitely meant I have a really good connection with them, with others it can be a major struggle. It often depends on the severity of their needs.
A1: The kids I reach who are diagnosed, and considered 'difficult' to teach ... is INCREDIBLE. It all began with @emibelle_ long before #MinecraftEdu. I pushed hard and many fought back against us, but in the end we overcame many social-emotional obstacles and learning hurdles.
@andrewmorrisuk Would love for you to join and participate in the #MinecraftEDU chat, happening now and get a paretns perspective of this game in education.
In my experience, I have seen these "unlikely" students become very friendly and involved, working and collaborating together in #MinecraftEDU when they may not usually interact. Have you seen this too?
A2: Potential benefits include increased engagement, feeling in control of their world and a potential pathway towards improved social skills. Challenges include distinguishing between reality and virtual and unhealthy addiction and obsession. #MinecraftEDU
Awesome! I have seen games like #MinecraftEDU help create safe spaces for many children, which helps children, and adults, overcome obstacles and barriers. #MinecraftEDU
#MinecraftEdu is in and of itself based on creating community. One of our private servers has been up for 5+ years. Veteran #ASD MCKids are now being trained & assist at our camps. They never leave, because we have created an inclusive, caring and supportive gaming community!
A2: My biggest challenge has been and always will be time. Setting time constraints for children has been difficult. I try to use timers and call out 5 min, 2 min, and had some success. Any suggestions? #MinecraftEDU
.@MGrundel YES The entire reason I went into what I am doing today was both by accident, and by default through the relationship that I have had, and continue to have, through gaming, with my daughter. #MinecraftEdu
A2: Benefits - such an open ended platform encourages pupils to collaborate but allows them their own space, this can be really powerful for encouraging pupils to interact and collaborate. Challenges- important to discuss boundaries and respect beforehand #MinecraftEDU
A2: I have a "Plan your Play" (PYP) worksheet that I use. They learn how to organize their time spent in-game. Hum, I should post that somewhere! It really helps kids see how much time is spent (and lost) when things go sideways or others are not 'hired' to help! #MinecraftEdu
Yes, but that is for all students, respecting boundaries/property etc.I have seen kids do some nasty things in #MinecraftEDU so important to discuss prior to entering worlds. #MinecraftEDU
