#girlswhogame - Part 2

The learning is incredible! There is something so refreshing about being open to new learning and to doing it with a group of other people. 

The girls getting their GAME ON!

Since the last blog post, the #girlswhogame have been playing/experimenting with Minecraft, learning about being good digital citizens - especially around video meetings (Google Meets and Teams meetings), and digging deeper into who they are. 

Mrs. Ruston joins the team to assist the girls with their learning!

They recently met with Brenda Sherry and everyone got to learn a little more about each other and Brenda provided them with some specific instruction around the use of Minecraft: Education Edition. The girls are learning to use the game and experiencing a lot of success. 

The girls meeting with Brenda Sherry to learn more about Minecraft.

Mrs. MacDonald has taken the lead in helping the girls to continue to discover who they are and what they value. The combination of gaming and self awareness is pretty cool as we dip into important conversations around equity, education, and personal growth. 

Mrs. MacDonald leading the girls in a self-awareness activity.

On top of all of that, the girls chose a name for their team - the Mindful Minecrafters! Anyone who knows these girls would agree that the name is good fit with the make up of this team. It would be great to have a graphic to go with the name and hopefully that will come sooner rather than later.

Of course the learning isn't just for the girls. Mrs. MacDonald and I are also picking up a lot of tidbits on how to use Minecraft and how to support the girls as they grow as gamers who are aware of and demonstrate the global competencies. As the girls dig deeper into creating an #eateryofthefuture, more emphasis will be placed on the global competencies in the following ways as the students work on their culminating task:

• solve problems using an inquiry process, make connections, see patterns, and transfer learning from one situation to another, particularly as it relates to the real life goal of ending hunger and making sure clean water is available to all people (Critical Thinking and Problem Solving)
• think of and express questions in order to generate novel ideas, demonstrate leadership, initiative, innovation, and creativity to help solve real world problems (Innovation, Creativity, and Entrepreneurship)
• think about their thinking and have a growth mindset, monitor their own learning, develop personal, educational, and career goals, and learn to manage aspects of their life (Self-Directed Learning)
• participate in team work, learn from and contribute to the learning of others, accept and excel in a variety of roles depending on the needs of the team, and connect with individuals outside of their team to further their knowledge towards their culminating activity (mentors) (Collaboration)
• communicate effectively in a variety of ways, use appropriate digital tools and create a positive digital footprint, and ask good questions and understand different point of views in order to find answers to questions (Communication)
• understand how they are globally interconnected, make responsible decisions that support positive circumstances for all people, learn with and from diverse people, promote principles of equity and speak out against injustice, and participate in networks in a safe and responsible ways (Citizenship)

The gaming portion of the #girlswhogame initiative is just the tip of the iceberg. There are so many amazing learning opportunities for everyone involved, especially the girls who are the future BUT can make positive societal contributions right now! 

Getting a selfie with the Mindful Minecrafters as they put in the work.

Stay tuned for more good stuff from our #girlswhogame @ St. John's!