Topic > Gamification of children and parents in Minecraft

Minecraft is a sandbox video game created by a Swedish developer named Markus Persson in 2009 for children aged 7 and up. Since then, 180 million copies of the game have been sold worldwide with over 112 million monthly active players. Minecraft can be played through various modes, such as a creative mode where players are given limited resources so they can build whatever they want, a survival mode where players can explore and mine resources for food, shelter, and defense. Players from all over the world can even come together and make their own rules. In essence, play teaches children to think creatively and critically, which they can incorporate into the real world. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay The gamification study examines the use of game elements in everyday tasks, which would encourage completion of those tasks. The use of Minecraft in regards to gamification is often used by teachers who use the game as part of their curriculum to better engage students when it comes to certain subjects. After Microsoft purchased Minecraft, it created a version for use in the classroom. Teachers can change the gaming experience within Minecraft by downloading different mods and creating worlds best suited to their teaching. One example is when history teachers recreate ancient civilizations for their students to explore and interact with others. Teachers even create escape room experiences where students have to find certain things on their schoolwork to get points and prizes. A competition was held in Montreal where various students were supposed to use Minecraft and recreate historical sites and events to celebrate their 375th anniversary. Play therapy is a form of psychotherapy that uses play to evaluate, prevent, or treat psychological problems. This is helpful for children who may not have the cognitive and verbal skills to talk about certain issues on their minds. Minecraft can be used as a form of play therapy, more specifically, sand tray therapy. This is when a child recreates a scene in a box full of sand using the toys they have been given, this allows them to reflect what they are experiencing in real life. In this case, instead of a sandbox, we use a virtual game. Play Therapy also offers group therapy where children with similar feelings, such as grief, can come together and play. Additionally, children suffering from AHDH may also benefit from using Minecraft as a form of play therapy as they devote most of their concentration to creating various worlds or participating in one with others. A journal called ADHD, Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder published that through play therapy there was a decrease in hyperactivity in children with ADHD. Escape behavior should not be confused with avoidance behavior. Escape behavior is a response created to eliminate an already existing aversive stimulus. Escape behavior can involve the mind through fantasy, daydreaming and of course; video games. Video games aren't just about fun; it can be a well-designed, artistic and powerful form of expression or storytelling, thus making it the perfect means of escape. Although the game can be used to practice skills, it is also a way for people to satisfy their psychological needs for fighting.