Minecraft Toys

Minecraft News

on the 23rd May 2017 it was announced that a new update would be available for the Education edition after leaving the Beta stage, so then what is the update?

The update is a a new code builder tool; Why does this matter?

The new code builder will work Offered in line and unison with other tools on this edition which will help teachers and parents increase their ability to engage with students / children. Planning for different lesson subjects will now be easier to build around Minecraft education.

The new Code Builder will enable users to create even more  amazing creations within the education world by using the external coding software.

Minecraft: Education Edition making it easier for everyone to use and creating more powerful teaching tools for educators and parents

A good example as to the benefits of the new tool is shown is in it’s World builder abilities so that teachers can now use them much faster than before. This is thanks to Microsoft’s decisive choice to shorten the command to “/wb”. Microsoft also decided to add a couple of new commands that enable it’s users the ability to clear their inventory much faster than before and it is now easier find out where they are based on grid coordinates.

There are also other updates to look out for such as new Command Blocks that will allow users to activate blocks within the game’s new command system. This will now make it easier to craft such items as teleporter’s, weather changers, give out other items, and enrich the game itself however there is a catch ! of course, User’s will have to code it first !

Teachers and parents have also gained the ability in Classroom Mode for being able to alter weather patterns, and spawn mobs, TNT, and lava but further still there is the option if they choose to they can now mute chat if required or have the power to mute anyone anyone within the world. a good idea if there is a disruptive pupil as that is all that happens in real life.

Microsoft have also presented new lesson plans and ideas to enhance interaction and stimulation for the pupils such as only being allowed to chat in a different language to the one they speak, this is great for language lessons as your forced to think which will help you learn.

there is now lessons to help students create and structure poems and learning how to construct new buildings while sticking to budget. They do this by issuing certain blocks and materials with prices. The student will then work to the budget set by the teacher. This is something that I find really useful as the education system does not cater for financial management or factoring how we can budget. I believe that is why there is so many people struggling nowadays.

Once again this versatile game is creating unique insights for education facilities around the world to help our children get stimulated with their education. I am looking forward to watching the Minecraft Education edition evolve in the furture.

 

I’d love to hear your views or experiences of this edition of Minecraft, feel free to comment !!

Fidget Spinner Craze

So the latest kids craze is the fidget spinner here in the UK and no doubt around the world, there are even Minecraft ones floating about but I am not sure they are licensed products from Mojang so I am not going to review or recommend the Minecraft fidget spinners until I have evidence they are licensed.

These are however a great idea for the kids and were supposed to help with a childs concentrating and to stop them from fidgeting in a school classroom but in the news today it seems to of have an adverse effect!

as Sky News correspondent Laura Bundock, Reports:

” Fidget spinners, the latest must-have toy, are being banned from schools as teachers brand them a disruptive distraction.

This is not just in Hertfordshire as also it has been on the news here in Liverpool as well. Now kids will be kids but it is a shame a few have ruined it for the many but understandably the schools have a duty of care over our children.

so is there an alternative? well yes there is and yes it is Minecraft Linked ( quietly chuckles!)

 Sensory Oojamabobs

Sensory Oojamabobs are fidget flip toys and is a  QUIET fiddle toy designed for children with Autism ADHD.

the product description identifies this sensory device by saying Fidgi-Flips are fun, durable and innovative fiddle toys, perfect for improving focus and attention, helping with stress and anxiety and can help refocus nervous energy we express in behaviours such as nail biting.

The Standard Fidgi-Flip measures about 45mm across and weigh 17g. Each metal ring is 25mm in diameter and these are made of nickel-plated steel.

HOW CAN FIDGI-FLIPS HELP ME?

Research studies have shown fidget toys help people and that includes Adults asell as Children for that matter by helping the person to focus and reduce their anxiety while actually helping to promote learning.

This is particularly true for children and adults with ADHD. As they don’t require any conscious thought or attention, as a parent of 3 sons with ADHD I would personally recommend Fidgi-Flips over a fidget spinner for school time as it can help children in class and adults if they are in a meeting or even adult education to concentrate without being too distracting.

They can help improve a person’s concentration and to keep focus on the task at hand, by allowing the brain to exercise its nervous energy. The optional lanyard means the extra distractions of getting fiddle toys in and out of pockets or picked up and put down is eliminated. With the lanyard, the Fidgi-Flip can hang loose from a belt-loop and is easily accessed when needed and kept save reducing the risk of dropping it with minimal distraction to the individual and others around them.

I would say the benefits for me to recommend this device are:

Helps concentration – Reduces stress and anxiety – Improves dexterity – Can help promote learning – Mindless – doesn’t require conscious thought or attention – Durable – Cold to warm – Different textures – Outlet for nervous energy – Has a decent weight, providing further sensory input – The lanyard makes the Fidgi-Flips easier to hold and harder to lose!

You can find the Minecraft version in amazon priced at just £11.99 – http://amzn.to/2qvT6p1

I’d love to here what you think and your views and experiences with your children who have fidget spinners and if you have had problems with the schools as this is an ideal solution.

Minecraft morphed into game to help kids and parents deal with onset of diabetes

 

I’ve just read an article that was published online on the 9^th April, The source of the article written by Nick Wiggins of News ABC in Australia is another example how this game is helping and can help all children.

The article for which I will include the link to at the end of the post tells the story of a boy who has type 1 Diabetes which was diagnosed when he was 8 years old.

The article doesn’t say how old the boy is now but I imagine it is difficult and worrying for his parents in making sure the correct observations are taken in order to maintain a safe lifestyle.

This particular boy is helping his father Mr Wulf create a program coding which will help children with Diabetes monitor their blood glucose and insulin. They hope to create a modified version of Minecraft whereby, players walk around the world playing through stories however in this game they have the added challenge of monitoring their blood glucose and insulin while they are playing the game so they develop the habit and routine of doing this in their lives.

“They focus on playing, they focus on the story, they focus on the magic, and they just learn how to manage diabetes in the course of that,” Mr Wulf (quote from article)

 

Mr Wulf is hoping that the new programming will help children better understand type 1 diabetes and allow children who have friends with the condition better understand it.
The idea has created interest with a pharmaceutical company as well as perhaps trials in hospitals.

 

This would really be an amazing step up from just the education editions of Minecraft and I see no reason for it to stop here, there are countless things that are important for our children to learn that are vitally important to learn. Using this game helps them in a fun way.

 

click here for Link to article

 

I would love to here your views and comments on this article, comment below !!

Free Minecraft tutorial

As with all computer games, they take time to learn and this game certainly does. There are however plenty of online tutorials and most free such as ones on You Tube which is a great resource centre for literally anything.

I remember my son spent hours every day watching you tube videos on Minecraft while he waited patiently for me to buy it for him. I believe this helped quell any frustrations he had or may have had if he just went and played without knowing what to do but instead he was almost an expert on the basics! 

Here is a lot of silly stuff on you tube so obviously monitor it but there is also some great stuff on there not just for free Minecraft. Tutorials but for other subjects.

Also you can research on Minecraft Wiki which is their version of Wikipedia. Mojang really have thought of everything!

I’d love to hear from anyone who uses any resources to develope their Minecraft skills!

Ideas for building:

when you start the main thing as in real life when camping is to choose an ideal location as you don’t want to start building then change your mind especially if your playing survival mode, you won’t survive! quick tip; if you are playing survival mode choose high ground or perhaps some sort of tree house to protect you from predators.

Your Minecraft build list should include a plan not to crowd everything into one room, spread out! build your living area, have a bedroom or two but plan to expand and build a protective wall however make sure you don’t spread out too far, have your various rooms leading of the main living area or main corridor like you would in a house.

If you are thinking of building into the side of a hill or mountain then consider the layout as you can easily get lost, what would happen if a predator breached your security? in Minecraft a build list can really help you decide the direction you want to go in and stick to the build list you prepared.

Minecraft build list: 

Shelter: basic items you would need to live in real life such as fireplace, table, bed, you can expand as you go.

Warehouse:

You will need to have a storage place for extra food and equipment so don’t hold back on the size of this as area.

Farm:

You will need to eat and survive so make sure you can build somewhere with an open space to farm. include space for sheep, pigs, cows plus an area for you to grow vegetables, don’t forget to protect them!!

Library:

Once you have your structure in place you might want to expand your Crib! Brandon always includes a Library on is Minecraft Build list as he loves books plus here you can keep your enchantment books!

Mine:  

also include a mine on your list as we all love a diamond or two don’t we!!

Blacksmiths: 

Situate this in a large outside area with a forge where your furnaces will be kept. Storage will be needed to keep building materials while it can also function as an outdoor building.

I hope I’ve giving you a few ideas with this Minecraft building list, I’m no expert like Brandon but would love to read about your plans and ideas on how you set your buildings up!! Please comment below !!

Your own designs

now lets not forget that this game is about imagination and creation so it would be silly of me to not include your own designs would it!

you and your imagination have no boundaries and once you have mastered your skills in Minecraft you can really create whatever you wanted plus you can o back whenever you wanted and add more creations as there is really no limits.