Developing Teaching Materials on the Geology of the Kamisugi Area in Sendai City Using the Computer Game Minecraft

Abstract

system was created using an exploration-type computer game as the basic material, and its educational effects were verified with the aim of stimulating the interest of students of the digital native generation in the local history of the region. Research classes were conducted using Minecraft （Mojang/Microsoft） teaching materials at Miyagi University of Education Junior High School in Sendai City. The theme of the classes was to convey knowledge about the geology and geological history of the region. Teaching materials were created for students to learn about geological formations in the Kamisugi area of Sendai City, including the region of their junior high school, with the aim of deepening their interest in local geological history and their understanding of the changing earth. A Minecraft world was used with underground strata that reflected information from a geological boring survey conducted in the past at the school, school buildings, and teleportable landscapes of past geological eras, and questions were asked on knowledge of geology based on school textbooks or research papers. The following were confirmed from the research classes at the junior high school. The game using a familiar school as a setting was very popular among the students, and they were not bored by the knowledge questions. The key words of the geological era that the students reached were frequently mentioned in the questionnaire given after the classes. The game is considered to be effective for helping students to understand and remember things visually, while having an enjoyable and positive experience.