An Exploration of Teaching Hawaiian Concepts of Kaikuaʻana and Kaikaina through Minecraft

Abstract

Video games, such as the popularized game Minecraft, have been used in a variety of educational settings and learning contexts. Though academic findings of video game usage are mixed, increases in learning competencies, skills and engagement were apparent. While faced with creating an alternative learning plan for teaching kaikuaʻana and kaikaina Hawaiian governance concepts during the COVID-19 pandemic, a college course instructor had chosen to use Minecraft as a platform for student learning. This blended narrative inquiry case study examined how an instructor’s choices in utilizing Minecraft might have affected the learning of kaikuaʻana and kaikaina concepts in a college Hawaiian governance course. This qualitative study portrayed the instructor’s story and journey of using Minecraft. From synthesis of emerging themes came the Model for Utilizing Minecraft to Teach Kaikuaʻana and Kaikaina Principles that included the following five components—informed decision making, deliberate instructional choices, meaningful Minecraft experiences, awareness based pivoting, and instructor’s reflection and learnings.