ERIC Number: EJ1111690
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2016
Pages: 7
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0155-2147
EISSN: N/A
Exploring "Minecraft" as a Pedagogy to Motivate Girls' Literacy Practices in the Secondary English Classroom
Marcon, Nerissa; Faulkner, Julie
English in Australia, v51 n1 p63-69 2016
Digital games are positioned in literacy research as integral to contemporary youth culture and their potential as a learning resource continues to be explored in current literature. This paper examines the use of "Minecraft" as a pedagogical tool to motivate girls' literacy practices within the secondary English classroom. The data suggest that girls find "Minecraft" an appealing text for literacy learning. Girls chose to work collaboratively and strategically as they designed and immersed themselves in the game. Problem-solving approaches and distributed learning initiatives were evident in the girls' negotiations. This article argues that using digital games in English classrooms can productively assist teachers to bridge students' outside- and inside-school literacy practices, while validating and drawing from youth culture to enhance learning processes.
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, Computer Games, Teaching Methods, Learning Motivation, Females, Secondary School Students, Literacy Education, English Instruction, Cooperative Learning, Problem Solving, Critical Literacy, Semi Structured Interviews, Learner Engagement, English Curriculum, Learning Strategies, Social Media, Qualitative Research
Australian Association for the Teaching of English. English House, 416 Magill Road, Kensington Gardens, SA 5068 Australia. Tel: +61-8-8332-2845; Fax: +61-8-8333-0394; e-mail: aate@aate.org.au; Web site: http://www.aate.org.au
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Secondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Australia
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A