education | Liam O'Donnell

Warning: Using Minecraft in class could result in spontaneous, self-directed learning

by liam | Dec 3, 2011 | education, gamebasedlearning, literacy, media, video games, virtual worlds

Last year, I had the unique chance to use Minecraft with a small group of students who came to me three days a week for literacy support. It was a messy, fun three months and the kids did a lot of writing and researching outside the game, driven by their explorations...

How Twinkle Fingers turned my classroom into a General Assembly

by liam | Nov 26, 2011 | education, literacy, media

When teachers have discussions with their students in over-crowded classrooms, shouting, calling out and talking over others can become an unfortunate part of the process. But I recently figured out it doesn’t have to be. And I have the 99% to thank. The recent...

Talking Minecraft with Teachers Teaching Teachers

by liam | Aug 23, 2011 | appearances, education, gamebasedlearning, gaming, literacy, media, video games, virtual worlds

Last May, as the school year was winding up, I took part in a great podcast over at Teachers Teaching Teachers to talk about using video games in the classroom. Lucky for you interweb peeps, you can listen to the podcast here. The show centered around the release of...

Messy learning with Minecraft

by liam | May 23, 2011 | education, gaming, literacy, video games, virtual worlds

It’s barely 9:15 in the morning and already two students have fallen down a mine shaft, one burst into flames when he swam through lava and another just killed his best friend with a pork chop. It’s going to be a messy morning but one packed with learning....

Re-starting the feed – for now

by liam | May 22, 2011 | education, gaming, literacy, video games, virtual worlds

Three years ago, I stopped blogging here for many reasons. Although I didn’t know when I’d return, I did know I’d be back sometime. That time is now. And here’s why: Since 2004, I have blogged about children’s culture and technology, from...