Abstract
A virtual world was created using the popular sandbox game Minecraft to support the development of preservice teachers’ knowledge for teaching mathematics. Preservice teachers explored the virtual world for a geometry activity involving area and volume problems. They then discussed how this integration of technology could support students’ effective learning of mathematics in a meaningful way. The findings of the study demonstrated that to a certain extent the Minecraft activity supported the transfer of knowledge from preservice teachers’ mathematics content knowledge to their mathematics pedagogical and instructional practice knowledge. Preservice teachers appreciated the usefulness and effectiveness of the Minecraft activity in enhancing the teaching and learning of mathematics by visualizing mathematical concepts in the virtual world. This integration of technology also gave them an opportunity for professional growth. Although this study focuses on preservice teachers’ perspectives on the Minecraft activity, the technology integration using Minecraft will also be beneficial for students because it engages them in active and discovery learning.
Highlights
A virtual world was created using the popular sandbox game Minecraft to support the development of preservice teachers’ knowledge for teaching mathematics
We demonstrate the use of technology in mathematics methods courses for preservice teachers by using a sandbox game called Minecraft, which can be played on various electronic devices, such as the iPad, tablet, smart-phone, or computer
The findings from this study suggest that the experiences of preservice teachers participating in a digital game Minecraft-based activity that is integrated to a mathematics curriculum based on the geometry concepts of area and volume enabled them to identify potential benefits of the Minecraft activity as a useful instructional strategy for learning and teaching mathematics and develop math-focused, pedagogical and instructional practice knowledge to effectively facilitate student learning
Summary
A virtual world was created using the popular sandbox game Minecraft to support the development of preservice teachers’ knowledge for teaching mathematics. Preservice teachers explored the virtual world for a geometry activity involving area and volume problems They discussed how this integration of technology could support students’ effective learning of mathematics in a meaningful way. Preservice teachers appreciated the usefulness and effectiveness of the Minecraft activity in enhancing the teaching and learning of mathematics by visualizing mathematical concepts in the virtual world. This integration of technology gave them an opportunity for professional growth. We were interested in examining the extent to which math activities using Minecraft
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