Utopia and Minecraft

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Grade 9 are currently studying the literature of The Renaissance and The Enlightenment. After the usual introductory classes undertaking some background research and collaborating on producing a visual display of some of the major elements, we read Boccaccio’s story “Frederigo’s Falcon” from The Decameron and then an extract from Thomas More’s Utopia. After discussing each student’s initial thoughts on what their utopia might look like, we came to the conclusion that one person’s utopia is often another’s dystopia. This led to some interesting discussions about the individual and society: exactly what the thinkers during the Renaissance and the Enlightenment were concerned about.

The next activity involved the students creating and presenting their individual vision of a utopian society. They had to think about systems of government and societal organisation; whether or not there would be money; how people would organise themselves in family or other units. They were given free rein to present their utopia in any way they saw fit. It seems like previous lessons about shying away from PowerPoint as their go-to presentation tool are beginning to sink in and the students are thinking of more creative and innovative ways of presenting their understanding.

Four of the students got very excited when I suggested they could even use Minecraft to construct their Utopia. Energy levels raised and the excitement at the task was palpable. There isn’t usually much trouble keeping this Grade 9 class on task anyway, but this activity really captured their imagination – particularly those using Minecraft. They were a little concerned that someone coming into the classroom might  think they were playing games rather than working, but I assured them that the Principal and Head Master would appreciate their creativity.

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The task is not due to be presented until tomorrow, but they’ve obviously spent some time on it over the weekend – I guess there’s not much difference between their down time and their homework when it’s creating worlds in Minecraft.

I’m particularly excited by this as what I’m trying to get all my students to understand is the connections with today’s world. The Renaissance period had such an impact on Western thought and creativity in ways they are beginning to appreciate more and more – and so in this way they can see that learning about “all that old stuff” has relevance for them. And not just because of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles – although as a literature teacher I have a lot to be thankful to them for too!