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Microsoft is using Minecraft to vie for kids’ brain space and schools’ dollars

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Re: Microsoft is using Minecraft to vie for kids’ brain space and schools’ dollars

#11

Post by vvanders »

Haul4ss wrote: post #5

When Apple makes an iPad app to teach kids a programming language useful only in the Apple ecosystem, they're promoting STEM education. When Microsoft leverages a massively popular game to promote STEM education, they're weaponizing.

Exactly.

Microsoft has always offered educational versions of Visual Studio at discounted/zero cost. I clearly remember getting a student copy of Visual Basic(VS6.0!) for ~$50.

I built all sorts of stupid things with that and while it definitely biased me in favor of Microsoft tools you know what else it did? Helped me into a rich and diverse career in a wide array of technologies and stacks. Anything that helps bridge that gap is a good thing in my mind.

Problem solving, debugging and abstractions are skills that transcend stacks and can be learned in a wide variety of environments. Engagement is they key to this and I think Minecraft is a great avenue.

Re: Microsoft is using Minecraft to vie for kids’ brain space and schools’ dollars

#12

Post by mikepavone »

csharp wrote: post #7
thr0waway1239 wrote: post #4

Considering Chromebooks barely entered the market only about 4 years back. "In 2015, Chromebooks topped 50 percent of personal computer sales in the U.S. K-12 education market for the first time, with Windows PCs trailing at 22 percent, according to a Futuresource Consulting report." And looking at the chart in the report [1] is even stranger - Chromebooks have basically gone from 16% of yearly device sales to 50% of…

These are all sales numbers, not market share.

Sales numbers are market share. Installed base is probably the term you're looking for.

Re: Microsoft is using Minecraft to vie for kids’ brain space and schools’ dollars

#13

Post by icebraining »

inputcoffee wrote: post #2

Has anyone here programmed minecraft? Can you report to the rest of us how the following compare as learning experiences: 1. Minecraft 2. Swift Playground 3. Commodore 64 or other old basic 4. Game Salad, or Game Maker, 5. Just learning Javascript in the browser I know #2 is my favorite experience, but I think #5 is the most useful now. Just wondering if anyone has played around with minecraft to compare. If I had to…

I started with #5 when I first learned programming, back in 2000. Personally, I think the usefulness part is overrated - once you learn a language, it's pretty easy to learn another, at least for the typical imperative/OO mix - the concepts usually map pretty well. I'd suggest trying multiple and see what they find more rewarding.

Re: Microsoft is using Minecraft to vie for kids’ brain space and schools’ dollars

#14

Post by ocdtrekkie »

thr0waway1239 wrote: post #4

Considering Chromebooks barely entered the market only about 4 years back. "In 2015, Chromebooks topped 50 percent of personal computer sales in the U.S. K-12 education market for the first time, with Windows PCs trailing at 22 percent, according to a Futuresource Consulting report." And looking at the chart in the report [1] is even stranger - Chromebooks have basically gone from 16% of yearly device sales to 50% of…

Actually, when this story by Futuresource first came out, it was a lot of fun to debunk. As mentioned by someone else, this is also new sales, not existing devices. But that's not the best part. It excludes desktop computers, which is pretty much the primary form of computing device bought by schools.

The claim that it's "50% of personal computer sales" in schools is completely false.

http://www.cnbc.com/2015/12/03/googles-chromebooks-make-up-h... <- The word "sold" was added to this headline after I pointed out sales figures and devices in classrooms were not the same thing. I am still annoyed they didn't add in the world mobile. Apparently desktops aren't "devices" anymore?

Re: Microsoft is using Minecraft to vie for kids’ brain space and schools’ dollars

#17

Post by thesimpsons1022 »

rocky1138 wrote: post #3

If you're a developer looking to fight this, I'd suggest taking a look at Minetest, which started out as a fully libre open-source clone of Minecraft but has really grown into its own project in its own right. The core engine is C++ and mods are programmed using Lua. http://www.minetest.net/#about

and why do you want to fight it?

Re: Microsoft is using Minecraft to vie for kids’ brain space and schools’ dollars

#18

Post by vblord »

My son has done many Minecraft programming courses. He even did a Minecraft programming summer camp. If it wasn't with Minecraft, he wouldn't have done it. I think bringing Minecraft in to the schools to teach development is the right move. I wish all schools would embrace that. It would get the kids excited to learn... unlike... well... everything else besides gym, lunch, and recess.

From programming aspect, Minecraft makes perfect sense. From a math/geometry perspective, I'd have to see it to believe it. But one thing is for sure... the kids will line up to take that class.

Re: Microsoft is using Minecraft to vie for kids’ brain space and schools’ dollars

#19

Post by cwyers »

I don't think I'd have the job or career I have today if not for a fascination with tinkering with Doom mods back in high school. My daughter is obsessed with Minecraft and if Microsoft can "weaponize" that into something other than her watching incredibly annoying YouTube videos I'd be freaking thrilled.

Re: Microsoft is using Minecraft to vie for kids’ brain space and schools’ dollars

#20

Post by thr0waway1239 »

ocdtrekkie wrote: post #14
thr0waway1239 wrote: post #4

Considering Chromebooks barely entered the market only about 4 years back. "In 2015, Chromebooks topped 50 percent of personal computer sales in the U.S. K-12 education market for the first time, with Windows PCs trailing at 22 percent, according to a Futuresource Consulting report." And looking at the chart in the report [1] is even stranger - Chromebooks have basically gone from 16% of yearly device sales to 50% of…

Actually, when this story by Futuresource first came out, it was a lot of fun to debunk. As mentioned by someone else, this is also new sales, not existing devices. But that's not the best part. It excludes desktop computers, which is pretty much the primary form of computing device bought by schools. The claim that it's "50% of personal computer sales" in schools is completely false. http://www.cnbc.com/2015/12/03/g…

That makes lot more sense.
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