Maximizing Bloxels Edu Resources: A Guide for Educators

Introduction

The Importance of Resources in Bloxels Edu

Greetings, fellow educators! As we steer through the exhilarating path of infusing technology in our classrooms, the significance of having a rich arsenal of resources cannot be overstated. Bloxels Edu emerges as a frontrunner in this sphere, offering a treasure trove of tools and resources crafted to nurture creativity and facilitate learning in students.

In this guide, we are about to embark on a journey, unraveling the rich resources that Bloxels Edu brings to the table, setting the stage for a transformative learning experience for our young minds. From insightful tutorial videos to creative tools and the vibrant arcade platform, we will dissect how each resource can be a powerhouse in the educational landscape.

Why Resources are a Goldmine for Educators

In the vibrant world of education, resources are more than just tools; they are catalysts that foster creativity, learning, and exploration, paving a pathway for students to craft their narratives, build exhilarating games, and learn through a hands-on approach. Bloxels Edu stands tall, offering a canvas rich with opportunities for students to narrate their stories, build captivating games, and learn through a hands-on approach.

Brief Overview of the Resources

As we delve deeper into this guide, we will navigate through a variety of sections, each spotlighting a different set of resources:

• Tutorial Videos: From beginner to advanced tutorials, we will take a deep dive into the Bloxels Edu YouTube channel, spotlighting the must-watch videos that cater to both beginners and advanced users.
• Written Guides: In this section, we will explore:
  • Bloxels Quick Start Guide: Offering an overview and what to expect from this roadmap for beginners.
  • Educator Handbook: Delving deep into the contents and understanding how it stands as a steadfast companion for educators in diverse settings.
  • Remote Learning Guide: Discussing its relevance in the current educational landscape and offering tips on leveraging this guide for effective remote learning.

• Creative Tools: Unveiling the potential of story cards and story builder cards, we will explore fresh perspectives on storytelling and game development.
• Arcade: Discover the vibrant platform where students can publish and share their games, nurturing a community of young creators.

Each segment will furnish insights into the integration of these resources in the classroom, fostering an environment rich in learning, creativity, and critical thinking.

As we set forth on this enriching journey, we encourage you to embrace the innovative approaches to learning that Bloxels Edu offers with an open mind. Stay tuned as we unfold the multifaceted potential of Bloxels Edu resources, laying the groundwork for a transformative learning experience in your classroom.

Must-Watch Videos for Beginners

Bloxels 2.0 Tutorial | Block Types

In this concise tutorial, the different block types available in Bloxels 2.0 are discussed. The video provides an overview of the eight distinct block types, explaining the functionalities and characteristics of each, including terrain, liquid, enemy, power-up, hazard, action, collectible, and story blocks.

Why it’s a must-watch for educators:

• Foundation Knowledge: Gives a foundational understanding of the different elements that can be used in game creation, setting the stage for students to start building their games.
• Encouraging Storytelling: The explanation of story blocks can encourage students to weave narratives into their games, integrating storytelling into STEM learning.
• Facilitating Creativity: By understanding the functionalities of different blocks, students can creatively decide how to use them to design unique and interactive game environments.

This tutorial serves as a fundamental guide, helping students to understand the building blocks of game creation in Bloxels Edu, and encouraging them to think creatively and strategically as they start to build their games.

Bloxels 2.0 Tutorial | Creating Characters

In this essential tutorial, the Bloxels Edu team walks beginners through the intuitive process of creating and animating a character in the Bloxels 2.0 environment. The video covers the basics, including selecting colors, utilizing color sliders for the perfect shade, and testing the character in different settings.

Why it’s a must-watch for educators:

• Hands-on Learning: Encourages students to learn by doing, fostering creativity and experimentation.
• Simplified Animation: Breaks down the seemingly complex process of animation into simple, manageable steps, making it accessible for students of various age groups.
• Integration in Curriculum: Can be seamlessly integrated into art and computer science curriculums, offering a fun and interactive way to grasp fundamental concepts.

This tutorial is a fantastic resource to kickstart your Bloxels Edu journey, providing a solid foundation for students to build upon as they venture into the world of game design and digital storytelling.

Bloxels 2.0 Tutorial | Decorating A Game

In this tutorial, viewers are guided on how to decorate a game using the asset tab in Bloxels 2.0. The video demonstrates how to add artwork to a pre-designed game layout, including adding textures to different block types, configuring enemies, and setting up power-ups and story blocks.

Why it’s a must-watch for educators:

• Creative Freedom: Encourages students to personalize their games, fostering creativity and a sense of ownership over their projects.
• Problem-Solving: Students learn to identify and fix issues during the decoration process, enhancing their problem-solving skills.
• Cross-Curricular Opportunities: The tutorial opens avenues for integrating lessons from art (through design and decoration) and narrative writing (through story block setup) into the Bloxels Edu platform, offering a multidisciplinary learning experience.

This tutorial is a valuable resource for educators looking to facilitate a rich, creative learning environment where students can hone both their artistic and technical skills through game development.

Deep Dives: Advanced Tutorials

In this section, we delve into a series of tutorials that explore the advanced feature of warping in Bloxels 2.8. These tutorials are a treasure trove for educators aiming to elevate the gaming experience in the classroom setting. Let’s take a closer look at each of them:

Warp Series

How to Warp Within a Game

This tutorial introduces the game warp feature, guiding viewers on how to set up warps within a single game using story blocks. It encourages creativity in game design, allowing students to create complex, interconnected game environments.

How to Warp to Games From Your Library

Here, the viewers learn how to warp from a game they are editing to another game in their library, expanding the scope of gameplay and fostering a deeper understanding of game mechanics.

How to Warp to an Arcade Game

In this tutorial, the idea of warping encompasses all games available in the Bloxels Arcade, even user-made ones. This feature opens up a world of collaborative opportunities, encouraging students to explore and learn from the broader Bloxels Edu community.

Why these are a must-watch for educators:

• Enhanced Gameplay: These tutorials unlock advanced gameplay possibilities, encouraging students to think beyond the basics and create more complex, interactive gaming experiences.
• Collaborative Learning: Especially with the feature that allows warping to games in the Bloxels Arcade, students can collaborate, share, and learn from a wider community, fostering a collaborative learning environment.
• Critical Thinking: Setting up warps requires careful consideration and planning, helping to develop students’ critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

These tutorials are a gateway to unlocking the full potential of the Bloxels Edu platform, offering students a deeper, more enriched learning experience through game creation. It’s a deep dive that promises to add layers of complexity and fun to the classroom gaming experience.

Keys and Doors Series

In this series, we explore the functionalities of keys and doors in Bloxels Edu, a feature introduced in version 2.4. These tutorials are perfect for educators aiming to introduce a new layer of complexity and interaction in the games created by their students. Here, we delve into each tutorial:

Keys & Doors pt. 1

In the first part of this series, the basics of keys and doors are introduced. The tutorial demonstrates how to set up door triggers using different colored blocks, each having a unique interaction with the corresponding key. It also introduces a key counter feature, enhancing the gameplay by adding a new layer of strategy and planning.

Keys & Doors pt. 2

The second installment takes a deeper dive into the functionalities of blue and pink blocks in conjunction with doors. It shows how blue blocks can be transformed into water or ice, interacting differently with the player upon obtaining a key. The tutorial also explores how pink blocks can be used to hide power-ups, adding an element of surprise and strategy to the game.

Why these are a must-watch for educators:

• Enhancing Creativity: The tutorials guide students in creating dynamic game environments, encouraging them to think creatively and add depth to their games.
• Problem-Solving: Setting up keys and doors involves strategic thinking and problem-solving, as students decide how to place and use these elements effectively in their games.
• Engaging Gameplay: By introducing keys and doors, students can create games with more engaging and interactive gameplay, enhancing the gaming experience for players.

These tutorials are a rich resource for educators, offering a detailed guide on leveraging the keys and doors feature to foster creativity and critical thinking in students through game development.

Written Guides

Bloxels Quick Start Guide

Overview

Are you ready to embark on an exciting journey with Bloxels? The Bloxels Quick Start Guide is your first step to unlocking a world of creativity and learning for your students. This guide, updated as of August 8, 2023, is designed to help you set up and navigate the Bloxels EDU Hub seamlessly.

What to Expect

• Getting Started: Learn the basics of setting up your Bloxels Edu account, creating a class, and inviting students to join via a unique class code. (Pages 1-6)
• Technical Setup: Ensure a smooth run by setting up your firewall correctly and whitelisting necessary domains. (Page 3)
• Student Engagement: Discover how students can log in, choose avatars, and start building their projects right away. (Pages 9-12)
• Class Management: Get insights into monitoring and managing student creations through the Bloxels Edu Hub. (Pages 13-14)
• Resource Hub: Find a treasure trove of resources including articles, activities, and tutorials to enhance the learning experience. (Page 17)

Highlights

• Interactive Class Library: A space where students can share, receive feedback, and collaborate on their creations. (Page 14)
• Arcade: View and moderate games created by students before they are published to the arcade. (Page 15)
• Asset Packs: Access ready-made characters, art, animations, and backgrounds available in the app. (Page 16)
• Support: Find answers to popular questions and reach out to Bloxels support for any assistance. (Page 19)

Actionable Insights

• Bookmark the EDU Hub: Ensure to bookmark the Bloxels EDU Hub for easy access to resources and student creations. (Page 2)
• Customize Class Code: Change the automatically generated class code to a 6-character code of your choice for easy remembrance. (Page 6)
• Download the Bloxels App: Direct students to download the Bloxels app from various platforms including iOS, Google Play, and Amazon Kindle stores. Find direct download links here. (Page 8)
• Educator Handbook: Don’t forget to download the Educator Handbook from the resources section for standards-aligned activities and rubrics for game design. (Page 17)

Conclusion

The Bloxels Quick Start Guide is the perfect roadmap for educators to kickstart a creative and collaborative learning environment using Bloxels Edu. It offers a step-by-step guide to setting up your class, engaging students, and leveraging a plethora of resources available on the Bloxels platform.

Bloxels Edu Educator Handbook: A Comprehensive Guide for Teachers

Overview

Welcome to the Bloxels Edu Educator Handbook, a resource designed to equip educators with the knowledge and tools needed to effectively integrate Bloxels into their teaching methodology. Whether you are a Bloxels Edu veteran or a newcomer eager to explore, this handbook is your go-to guide to navigate the Bloxels universe with your students.

What’s Inside

The handbook is structured to offer a step-by-step guide to getting started, including setting up your class and introducing students to the Bloxels app. It also introduces the concept of a Game Design Studio, where students can take on various roles such as Character Designer, Writer, and Producer to collaboratively build a game. The guide is rich with brainstorming strategies and collaborative techniques, including the use of mind maps, storyboards, and block voting to foster creativity and teamwork among students.

Getting Started

• The Bloxels EDU Hub: Your essential tool for class management, where you can view and give feedback on student work, download resources, and oversee published student games.
• Creating a Class: Learn how to create a class and generate a unique class code for easy student access.
• Getting the App: Details on where to find and how to download the Bloxels app for various devices, along with firewall setup and device requirements.

Building with Bloxels Edu

• Builder Modes: Discover the four builder modes – Games, Art, Characters, and Backgrounds – each offering unique features for creating elements of a game.
• Character Builder & Lab: Dive deep into character creation, learning how to animate characters and give them unique abilities.
• Art & Background Builder: Learn how to create art and backgrounds, including the use of stamps and different tools for detailed designs.
• Game Builder: Your one-stop destination to bring all elements together to build a game, with insights into block types and their functionalities.

Collaborative Game Design

• Game Design Studio Approach: A detailed 5-day plan to facilitate a collaborative game design experience for students, encouraging brainstorming, planning, prototyping, and presentation.
• Roles in the Studio: Understand different roles students can take on in the Game Design Studio, fostering collaboration and skill development.
• Collaborative Techniques: Explore techniques like sticky notes brainstorming, mood boards, and the Box of Whimsy to spark creativity and collaboration.

Additional Resources

• Tutorial Videos: Find a range of tutorial videos to get the most out of Bloxels Edu features.
• Story Cards & Student Workbooks: Discover resources like story cards and workbooks to aid in the game design process.

The Bloxels Edu Educator Handbook is a treasure trove of resources, offering guidance, ideas, and confidence to educators keen on fostering creativity and learning through game design. It encourages a hands-on approach, where students not only learn to create games but also develop skills like collaboration, critical thinking, and storytelling.

So, are you ready to embark on a creative journey with your students? Dive into the Bloxels Edu Educator Handbook and unleash the potential of game-based learning in your classroom!

Remote Learning Guide

Getting Started with Bloxels

• Pages 3-5: Introduction to Bloxels, explaining how students can build games and interactive stories online, individually or in groups. It mentions the different age groups that can use Bloxels and the platforms it supports. It also discusses the pricing and the resources available for learning how to use Bloxels Edu.

Educational Benefits

• Page 6: Discusses the educational benefits of using Bloxels Edu, including fostering creativity, enhancing traditional literacies, and sparking interest in computer science.

Testimonials

• Page 7: Features testimonials from educators who have successfully integrated Bloxels into their teaching environments.

Setting Up

• Pages 8-10: Details the steps for setting up Bloxels in a classroom setting, including creating classes, adding students, and downloading the Bloxels app.

Online Learning with Bloxels

• Pages 11-17: Provides a series of activities and projects that educators can use to engage students in online learning using Bloxels. It covers creating avatars, developing games, sketching story maps, and crafting narratives.

Virtual Game Jam

• Pages 17-19: Introduces the concept of a “Virtual Game Jam,” where students can work together to create a video game based on a theme or topic. It discusses how to organize a game jam, including setting up teams and scheduling the event.

Kickoff Your Jam

• Page 20: Outlines the first day of a week-long game jam, including introducing students to Bloxels and encouraging them to explore the features and play games created by others to gather inspiration for their projects.

The guide is a rich resource for educators looking to integrate Bloxels Edu into their teaching, offering a step-by-step approach to setting up and using Bloxels for creative and educational purposes. It emphasizes the collaborative and creative opportunities Bloxels offers, encouraging educators to leverage these for enriching learning experiences. It also provides practical tips and resources for effectively using Bloxels in a learning environment.

Creative Tools

Bloxels Story Cards/Story Builder Cards

In this section, we delve into the creative tools offered by Bloxels to aid in story building and game development. These tools are designed to spark creativity and help students craft unique narratives for their games. Let’s explore how educators can leverage these resources in the classroom:

Bloxels Story Cards ($24.95)

The Bloxels Story Cards are a treasure trove of inspiration designed to facilitate the story-building process in game creation. The pack contains 45 illustrated cards, including character, item, and setting cards, along with Spark cards that challenge students to expand and reimagine the other cards in the deck. Here are some creative ways to use these cards in your classroom:

Story Building

Encourage students to build narratives for their games using the cards. For instance, they can draw a “Knight” character card and brainstorm the background of this knight, incorporating elements from history lessons to create a rich backstory.

Group Activities

Facilitate group activities where students collaborate to build stories together. They might use the “Multiverse Mayhem” spark card to imagine a scenario where worlds collide, fostering teamwork and communication skills.

Creative Writing

Integrate the cards into creative writing lessons. Students could pick a setting card like “Haunted House” and write a story based on it, encouraging them to explore different genres and styles of writing.

Why it’s Beneficial for Educators

Engagement

The cards offer a fun and interactive way to engage students in the story-building process, encouraging them to think outside the box and come up with unique story ideas.

Creativity

Leverage the cards to foster creativity. For example, students can use the “Wild Card” options to create their own characters or settings, pushing their creative boundaries.

Cross-Curricular Integration

The cards can be integrated into various subjects, encouraging creative thinking and storytelling in different contexts. For instance, a history teacher might ask students to use the “Historical Figure” card to create a game based on a real historical event.

The Bloxels Story Cards are more than just a tool; they are a gateway to endless creative possibilities in the Bloxels Edu ecosystem. Whether it’s weaving intricate narratives, fostering teamwork, or encouraging creative writing, these cards are designed to enhance the learning experience manifold. So, dive in and watch as your students transform into budding storytellers, all while having fun with Bloxels Edu.

Bloxels Story Builder Card Deck: Fables & Fairy Tales ($24.95)

This card deck brings the enchantment of fables and fairy tales to the Bloxels Edu platform. The deck allows builders to randomly generate a story for their video game by drawing a character, environment, and collectible card. It opens up a realm of possibilities, where a game can be about anything, such as a Big Bad Wolf collecting charcuterie through an enchanted forest. The deck encourages students to bring classic elements of fables and fairy tales into their Bloxels stories, offering a rich ground for creativity and imagination.

How to use it in the classroom:

• Story Generation: Students can use the deck to generate unique stories for their games, encouraging creativity and a deeper engagement with literary elements.
• Literature Integration: Integrate the deck into literature lessons, encouraging students to explore classic fables and fairy tales through a new medium.
• Collaborative Story Building: Encourage students to work together to build stories using the deck, fostering collaboration and teamwork.

Why it’s beneficial for educators:

• Literary Engagement: The deck offers a fresh and interactive way to engage students with classic literary elements, fostering a love for storytelling.
• Creative Expression: Students are encouraged to express themselves creatively, bringing classic stories to life in a new and interactive way.
• Cross-Curricular Integration: The deck can be integrated into various subjects, encouraging creative thinking and storytelling in different contexts.

This card deck is a valuable tool for educators, offering a fresh and interactive way to engage students with storytelling, fostering creativity, and encouraging a deeper exploration of literary elements through game creation.

Arcade (Game Ideas)

Exploring the Arcade for Game Inspiration

The Bloxels EDU Arcade is a vibrant platform where students can publish their games online, showcasing their creations to parents, friends, and the world. It is a space brimming with creativity where students can also play games crafted by their peers, fostering a community of young game developers. Let’s delve into how educators can use this platform to nurture creativity and learning:

Arcade Features

• Publishing and Sharing: Students can publish their games online, sharing their creations with a wider audience. Through the Bloxels Hub, educators have control over what students share, with the ability to toggle this feature on and off for each class.
• Game Moderation: All games undergo moderation by Bloxels before becoming publicly available in the Arcade, ensuring a safe and secure platform for students.
• Feedback and Communication: Educators can send messages to students regarding their games, fostering communication and feedback.

How to use in the classroom:

• Showcase Student Creations: Use the Arcade as a platform to showcase student creations, encouraging pride in their work and fostering a community of young creators.
• Peer Review: Encourage students to play and review each other’s games, fostering critical thinking and collaborative learning.
• Integration with Lessons: Leverage the Arcade to integrate game creations into lessons, allowing students to demonstrate their understanding of topics through game development.

Why it’s beneficial for educators:

• Engagement: The Arcade offers a dynamic platform to engage students, encouraging them to take pride in their creations and learn from their peers.
• Safe Environment: With moderation in place, the Arcade ensures a safe environment for students to share and explore games.
• Cross-Curricular Integration: The Arcade can be integrated into various subjects, offering a dynamic way to engage students in learning through game creation.

Actionable Tips:

• Moderation: Leverage the moderation feature to ensure a safe and secure environment for students.
• Feedback: Encourage open communication and feedback, fostering a collaborative learning environment.
• Showcase: Regularly showcase standout games, encouraging students to strive for excellence in their creations.

Integration in the Classroom

Leveraging Bloxels Edu in Your Teaching Methodology

In the dynamic world of Bloxels, students are empowered to create their own games and stories, offering a rich canvas for learning and expression. The Bloxels Hub presents a plethora of ways educators can integrate Bloxels Edu into their teaching methodology. Here, we explore some of the top strategies:

Teaching Traditional Literacies

• Narrative Writing: Encourage students to weave narratives into their games, fostering skills in writing, reading, and analyzing non-linear texts.
• Creative Expression: Utilize Bloxels as a medium for art, animation, and storytelling, enhancing digital literacy and creative expression.

Fostering 21st Century Skills

• Teamwork: Promote collaboration, communication, and critical thinking by encouraging students to work in teams to create games.
• Introduction to Computer Science: Use Bloxels Edu as a stepping stone to ignite interest in computer science from a young age.

Expanding Student Choices

• Demonstration of Knowledge: Allow students to demonstrate their understanding of a topic through game creation, offering an alternative to traditional assessment methods.

Innovative Approaches to Lesson Planning

• Environmental Storytelling: Encourage students to tell stories through the design of game levels, applying knowledge in creative and immersive ways.
• Interactive Book Reports: Facilitate deeper analysis of books by recreating stories in game form, encouraging students to think critically about character and plot development.
• Creative Writing: Foster creativity by encouraging students to create games based on their own stories or experiences.

Practical Applications

• Show What You Know: Students can embed facts and information about a topic in their games, offering a dynamic way to showcase knowledge.
• Pick-a-Path Quiz: Create interactive quizzes within the game, offering a fun and engaging way to assess knowledge.

Why it’s beneficial for educators:

• Engagement: Bloxels Edu offers a hands-on, interactive platform that can engage students more effectively than traditional teaching methods.
• Creativity: The platform fosters creativity, allowing students to express themselves through game design.
• Critical Thinking: Encouraging students to create games promotes critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

Actionable Tips:

• Start with an End Goal: Before diving into the integration process, clearly define the outcomes you aim to achieve through the use of Bloxels.
• Feedback and Sharing: Create a culture of sharing and feedback, encouraging students to learn from each other’s creations.
• Open Discussions: Foster open discussions about students’ game design decisions, encouraging critical analysis and deeper understanding.

Conclusion

As we wrap up this comprehensive guide, it is evident that Bloxels EDU is not just a tool, but a powerhouse of resources ready to transform your classroom into a hub of creativity and learning. From the rich tutorials available on YouTube to the creative tools and insightful written guides, each resource is a gateway to a world of endless possibilities.

As educators, we have the privilege to foster creativity and critical thinking in our students, and Bloxels EDU stands as a steadfast ally in this endeavor. We encourage you to explore each resource, integrate them into your teaching methodology, and watch as your classroom transforms into a vibrant space of learning and innovation.

Remember, the journey with Bloxels EDU is as enriching as the destination. So, dive in, explore, and let the Bloxels EDU resources be the wind beneath your educational wings. Happy teaching!