Minecraft

We opened up with a CPD in Jan introducing Minecraft to teachers and highlighting the many ways it can draw on disciplines linking to many subjects across the curriculum.

Due to the CPD link going on Twitter, we had people from other industries join us such as consultants, system engineers and directors (NTTX Advisory) from Digital Rail. In the aftermath of the CPD, The University of Manchester picked up the screen shot we used of the gallery façade, built in Minecraft, which received 554 likes with 21 shares. 

On the cusp of the Masterclass month we started a series of online promotions on Twitter by recreating the ‘We’ve Been Building Something’ campaign leading up the the Paper Anniversary. And then on the eve on the paper anniversary, we released the promo video which was quickly picked up by the University on Facebook and has seen over 5000 views and shared 24 times. After running the Minecraft Masterclass, with digital artists Ross Dalziel and Annie Woodson, we gained confidence that we can embrace new technologies to help us animate our collection and that the game can compliment our exhibition spaces and enable users to develop a richer understanding of the stories we tell.

Some quotes from our feedback comment cards; 

This has been one of the best educational workshops I have experienced in 25 years of teaching. The children were engaged and interested from the first moment. The mixture of creativity, technology and performance was superb. The facilities communicated effectively and were very child friendly. A superb experience all round.
Teacher – Claremont 

Amazing day had by all, have never seen the children so absorbed and enthralled by each session. Truly fabulous experience, enjoyed by all the children (and adults) Can’t wait to repeat this visit.
Teacher – Birchfields 

"Dear Whitworth,Thank you for inviting us to the Whitworth. There was so much fantastic art work, it was stunning. I am definitely coming back again in Easter holidays and I am going to bring all my family and they will be amazed too. What I liked best was the forest (Nico). Also where we were playing in the iPads and the PC. It was really good fun. You really made me enjoy Minecraft."
Mounif – Pupil, St Chads