Minecraft

Teaching full time for the San Diego Unified District plus tutoring a few students, I have found many addicted to playing Minecraft.  So I decided to take a course to learn more about it.  First I want to learn which version would be the best for me.  My fourth grade student loves to watch Minecraft videos on You Tube.  I felt needed something more that just watching.

I don't have a Play Station so I don't think I will go with that version.  To of my students do have that version. One boy only has one controller so it can only be played alone.  The other boy splits the screen so he and his brother can play side by side.  I think having a controller may make things easier or more intuitive when playing.

Building my own computer is not a real interest of mine, so I will pass on the RaspberyPI version.  If I had a class of students who wanted to build their own computer this would be a plus.  I understand this version have the connection between curriculum and Minecraft.  If my boys were young I think I would use this version so they could expand their knowledge of computers, gaming and how things work.

I thought I would check out about the PC version at work while eating lunch.  But I found all the pages blocked.  It appears that all the features are available on the PC version.  I use PC's for work but I have Macs at home.  With everything blocked here at work it eliminated this option.  I understand the PC version allows people to connect to servers for miltiplayer games but I want to use mine mainly one on one.

So I have decided to go with the Pocket Edition or Minecraft PE.  I think I will purchase it on my iPad.  I brought one of my personal iPads to work and use it as a reward after students work for me.  I can use it at home when I tutor individual students as well.  I also like that the recipes for various combinations are make visible in the PE version.  This makes it sound a bit easier to use, at least for me. I understand that it comes at a cost because it cannot make as many different items like the PC version.  This weekend I plan to download the version for my iPad.  I will contact my fourth grade friend to assist me.