ENGAGING MUSIC STUDENTS THROUGH MINECRAFT

The purpose of this research was to investigate ways of connecting children's love of playing the video game Minecraft with the teaching and learning of musical composition. The constructs of cognitive representation in thinking according to Jerome Bruner and Blair's iconic representation in teaching children music provided a theoretical framework. Two goals framed this study: (1) To connect three-dimensional space and music composition through Minecraft; and (2) To encourage critical thinking, collaboration, and creativity in primary school music classrooms through children's engagement with Minecraft. The study resulted in the creation of a modification to the video game Minecraft providing children a way to compose and embed original musical compositions into three-dimensional structures while maintaining authentic gameplay.