Minecrop
Minecrop
MINECROP – Using Minecraft game in VET to learn about sustainable CROP farming techniques
Project Description
MINECROP aims to revolutionize agricultural education by harnessing the power of gamification, specifically through the popular platform Minecraft. The project aims to foster a ‘climate-friendly’ ethos within the agricultural sector, promoting sustainable practices and guiding professionals towards environmentally conscious methods. Moreover, by integrating gamification into VET programs, MINECROP aims to make learning about sustainable agriculture more interactive and engaging.
Objectives
The main goal of this project is to contribute to develop and promote a ‘climate-friendly’ culture among agriculture sector, guiding them on sustainable practices, apply gamification (Minecraft) in learning sustainable practices as a didactic tool in the VET agricultural sector, bring innovation and interactivity to the way green agriculture is taught in order to create behavioral changes and increase the popularity of the profession, while adapting the theoretical content to the needs of the labour market. Goals:
- Provide VET educators in the agricultural sector with the necessary tools and resources to deliver effective and engaging training programs.
- Promote innovative training methodologies, particularly game-based learning, to address the complexity of contemporary agricultural issues within the EU.
- Support the integration of ICT and game-based teaching methods within the VET sector, enhancing the effectiveness of agricultural education.
- Foster a culture of sustainability within the agricultural sector, promoting environmentally friendly practices and raising awareness about the challenges of climate change.
- Tailor guidance on agricultural issues and opportunities to the specific needs of different countries within the EU, addressing regional variations and challenges.
- Sensitize individuals within the agricultural sector about the role they play in combating climate change.
- Bridge the gap in green skills among farmers who lack formal training, providing them with high-quality training and extension services on sustainable agriculture practices.
- Provide future farmers with interactive opportunities to acquire green skills, preparing them for the evolving demands of the agricultural labor market.
Target group
Main Target
The main target group would be VET trainers & educators in agriculture; agricultural educators, and VET students in agricultural sector since the main aim of MINECROP is to assist VET educators in 6 partner countries (Poland, Netherlands, Romania, Greece, Spain and Estonia) in their courses and trainings in agricultural sector so that students become successful farmers and entrepreneurs with a focus on sustainable crop techniques through an innovative and interactive game of Minecraft’s style. Moreover, different groups of participants are expected to be involved across different activities of the project and to be benefited by MINECROP.
SECOND TARGET
MINECROP will involve self-employed and individual farmers engaged in agricultural production, agricultural entrepreneurs, agricultural sector representatives, farmers, farm workers, Agrifood industry, local action groups, VET stakeholders and other interested persons.
In their testing or piloting sessions, the project will include target groups that are in a vulnerable or disadvantaged situation like people in remote geographical areas or rural areas; women; people with low-skills; minorities, migrants and refugees.
Project results
The main results are:
- 7 language versions of a Guidebook on Sustainable Crop Techniques
- A customized Minecraft World Game in 7 languages as a complementary tool for teaching sustainable agriculture in VET
- Instructional and detailed guidance to use the Guidebook and the game for VET trainers, freely. They are expected:
- To promote a green culture among agriculture sector
- To raise the target's awareness of the role of agriculture
- To motivate VET trainers to use OER and gamificed tools
