General
Preparing an online cooperation project requires adequate preparation in order to be successful. Based on our experiences during the Excalibur project, here are listed prepared support materials to help everyone interested.
Important insights into a Minecraft world project during the preparation phase; 4 essential aspects to consider:
Supporting the project/target language use during the collaboration and 3D building project in English and in German:
An example of guidelines for respectful and inclusive communication in English and in German:
Searching for information and scientific reporting in English and in German:
For matters concerning information retrieval, see this page.
Download the above file in English and in German:
Group dynamics
When forming working groups of learners, it’s important to consider the dynamics inside the group. This is even more important in international cooperation projects. As a preparation, it’s useful to encourage the learners to think about their own strengths and how these strengths can support the group (and even help with understanding their own possible weaknesses in order to be more humble and tolerant towards others). There are also plenty of i.e. questionnaires online, which can help the learners with discovering their strengths and understanding their group’s dynamics.
Sharing roles and tasks
It’s important to remember that everyone has their strengths! In a successful group work, every member should utilize their strengths in a way that enables the group as a whole to achieve the best results. Additionally, the individual members should also consider how they can develop as a team member even further. They could, for example, have a personal mission of recognizing a potential weakness in themselves and working on turning it into a strength.
In order to share tasks inside the group efficiently, after analyzing their own strengths, the learners should discuss together in the group and based on their discussions, share roles or tasks between the group members.
Minecraft didactics
This teacher handbook helps you integrate Minecraft into your teaching with clear strategies for language development (CLIL) and STEM education. It offers structured activities and examples to create engaging, immersive learning experiences that boost students’ academic and interpersonal skills.
The guide will:
- Walk you through the basics of Minecraft gameplay in an educational context.
- Provide essential classroom management strategies and pedagogical tips.
- Offer practical advice for integrating language learning and sustainability content seamlessly into Minecraft activities.
- Present guidelines for organizing collaborative projects, including international cooperation.
- Suggest effective methods for assessing student progress and learning outcomes.
Intercultural communication and CLIL (LOTE)
Materials about intercultural competences in co-operation projects and CLIL, in English and in German:
Material about CLIL training in English:
Material about CLIL in German in the Excalibur context, in German: