Prodigy Learning has developed and received Ofqual recognition for the first credential in coding delivered through the medium of Minecraft – in the world. Today, Prodigy Learning is delighted to present the first Coding in Minecraft credentials to successful students in Rhondda Cynon Taf (RCT), Wales.
Coding in Minecraft using MakeCode and JavaScript is a computer science curriculum and credentials, all delivered through Minecraft: Education Edition, O365 & Azure. The pathway comprises three CS courses that immerse students in a Minecraft world to develop their coding skills. The three courses introduce and develop student skills in block based and JavaScript coding.
This programme is targeted at ages 9 – 14, is CSTA aligned (US), Ofqual regulated (UK), mapped to a national Digital Competency Framework (Wales) and UK
National Curriculum for CS. It was launched in June 2018 and is
currently being delivered at scale in Wales, London and piloted in the
United States.
As part of the Coding in Minecraft programme, RCT students used Code Builder in Minecraft: Education
Edition. The courses facilitate: knowledge acquisition, learning
activities and challenges, then culminate in a project to demonstrate
mastery. Thus, providing students with opportunities to experiment with
code within Minecraft:EE and develop their computational thinking too.
Students learn coding and gain an industry-recognised credentials through the courses in Coding in Minecraft at three different levels: Introduction, Intermediate and Advanced Coding in Minecraft: Education Edition and has been offered to 1000 students in RCT.
The first 6 students, from a cohort of 30 students, who attend Treorchy Comprehensive School are the first in the world to complete the New Coding in Minecraft (Intermediate) course and earn their credentials.
In a world-first, these RCT students have earned recognised credentials in Coding in Minecraft at key stage 3, giving them a unique way to show they understand this subject, allowing them to progress to higher level technology certification programmes.
“I’m incredibly proud that our students in Treorchy are the first in the world to successfully earn Coding in Minecraft credentials. It is a momentous occasion to see our students presented with valuable, industry-recognised credentials, proving their future ready skills with Minecraft: Education Edition. This credential allows learners to progress to higher technology certification programmes, which will increase their employability prospects once they leave school” commented Rhys Angell Jones (Headteacher, Treorchy Comprehensive School).
“I am so proud of these learner’s achievement. To me it is akin to the first lunar landing. They are taking their first steps into an unknown world and who knows what opportunities and discoveries this qualification will allow them to make. I wish them well on their journey from game to fame!” said Martyn Silezin (14-19 Strategy Officer RCT).
“Embedding computer science at an early age is crucial to closing the digital skills gap and ensuring students are equipped with skills to succeed in jobs of the future. Minecraft: Education Edition is a transformative tool which introduces coding in an engaging way to boys and girls. Our structured learning programme and Coding in Minecraft, industry-recognised credential brings a level of excitement to the 21st Century Learning curriculum while at the same time developing creativity, collaboration and problem-solving skills” added Andrew Flood (CEO, Prodigy Learning).
One student commented: “the course was very enjoyable, hard at times, but didn’t seem like work at all.” As a result of doing this course all the students have expressed an interest in going on to studying GCSE Computer Science as their next step on their learning journey.
