Children's Minecraft multiliteracy practices and learning through peer pedagogies

Abstract

This chapter discusses the multi literacy practices children undertake when participating in the digital game Mine craft, and through watching YouTube Let’s Play videos in which other players commentate their own game play. Peer pedagogies is introduced as a way to explain how knowledge is exchanged through these multi literacy practices. The chapter brings together three related ideas: (1) Mine craft is a digital platform for the production of content that is circulated on other digital platforms, particularly YouTube, by social media entertainers like Let’s Players; (2) the relationship between Let’s Players and their fans is one in which there is less social distance than in formal pedagogical relationships, enabling forms of peer pedagogy to emerge; and (3) peer pedagogies provide the conditions for the circulation of Mine craft designs and for redesign practices. The chapter discusses YouTube Let’s Player Grian, a mid-twenties male British You Tuber. Analysis of one of his more popular videos is presented, “5 Easy Steps to Improve Your Mine craft House”, to illustrate how Grian offers a peer pedagogic relationship to his viewers through specific forms of classification of content and through framing the interaction in a manner that remains authentic to his fans. The chapter concludes by asking if formal education systems are willing to accept the value of learning through peer pedagogies and multi literacies practices on digital platforms.