Articles | Volume 4, issue 4 
            
                
                    
                    
            
            
            https://doi.org/10.5194/gc-4-475-2021
                    © Author(s) 2021. This work is distributed under 
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
                the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/gc-4-475-2021
                    © Author(s) 2021. This work is distributed under 
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
                the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Pandemic Minecrafting: an analysis of the perceptions of and lessons learned from a gamified virtual geology field camp
Erika Rader
                                            Department of Geography and Geological Sciences, University of Idaho,
Moscow, 83843, USA
                                        
                                    Renee Love
                                            Department of Geography and Geological Sciences, University of Idaho,
Moscow, 83843, USA
                                        
                                    Darryl Reano
                                            STEM Transformation Institute, Florida International University,
Miami, 33199, USA
                                        
                                    
                                            School of Earth and Space Exploration, Arizona State University,
Tempe, 85281, USA
                                        
                                    
                                            College of Education, University of Idaho, Moscow, 83843, USA
                                        
                                    Natasha Wingerter
                                            Water Resources Program, University of Idaho, Moscow, 83843, USA
                                        
                                    
                                            Red Bluff Fish and Wildlife Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,
Red Bluff, 96080, USA
                                        
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                            Total article views: 3,108 (including HTML, PDF, and XML)
                        
                            
                                
                                
                            
                                
                                
                            
                        
                        
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| 2,120 | 886 | 102 | 3,108 | 92 | 125 | 
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- XML: 102
- Total: 3,108
- BibTeX: 92
- EndNote: 125
                        
                            Total article views: 2,361 (including HTML, PDF, and XML)
                        
                            
                                
                                
                            
                                
                                
                            
                        
                        
                            Cumulative views and downloads 
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| 1,737 | 541 | 83 | 2,361 | 80 | 113 | 
- HTML: 1,737
- PDF: 541
- XML: 83
- Total: 2,361
- BibTeX: 80
- EndNote: 113
                        
                            Total article views: 747 (including HTML, PDF, and XML)
                        
                            
                                
                                
                            
                                
                                
                            
                        
                        
                            Cumulative views and downloads 
                                         (calculated since 02 Jun 2021)
                        
                        
                            
                                
                            
                    
        
                
            | HTML | XML | Total | BibTeX | EndNote | |
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| 383 | 345 | 19 | 747 | 12 | 12 | 
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- Total: 747
- BibTeX: 12
- EndNote: 12
Viewed (geographical distribution)
                                Total article views: 3,108 (including HTML, PDF, and XML)
                                
                                Thereof 2,895 with geography defined
                                    and 213 with unknown origin. 
                            
        
                            
                                Total article views: 2,361 (including HTML, PDF, and XML)
                                
                                Thereof 2,215 with geography defined
                                    and 146 with unknown origin. 
                            
        
                            
                                Total article views: 747 (including HTML, PDF, and XML)
                                
                                Thereof 680 with geography defined
                                    and 67 with unknown origin. 
                            
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                            Cited
16 citations as recorded by crossref.
- Minecraft as a Pedagogical Tool: A Systematic Literature Review (2014–2024) J. García-Álvarez & J. Acevedo-Borrega 10.1177/15554120251341034
- Promoting Co-Design in Learning Design Research: Integrating Design-Based Research, Decision-Making, and Ethnographic Approaches J. Stefaniak et al. 10.1007/s11528-025-01067-z
- The impact of online teaching on Geology degree programs during COVID-19: A case study from the University of Barcelona (Spain) G. Alías et al. 10.1080/10899995.2023.2165858
- The Rock Garden: a preliminary assessment of how campus-based field skills training impacts student confidence in real-world fieldwork T. Wong Hearing et al. 10.5194/gc-7-17-2024
- Minecraft as an Educational Tool Before, During, and After the Pandemic: A Case Study Research Project E. Cigognini & A. Nardi 10.2478/eurodl-2024-0011
- The importance of active-learning, student support, and peer teaching networks: A case study from the world’s longest COVID-19 lockdown in Melbourne, Australia S. McLaren et al. 10.1080/10899995.2023.2242071
- Didattica immersiva tra presenza e distanza con Minecraft: la voce degli studenti A. Nardi & M. Cigognini 10.57568/iulresearch.v4i7.399
- Mining and Processing of Mineral Resources: A Comparative Study of Simulated and Operational Processes R. Rybár et al. 10.3390/pr13092823
- What does a degree in geology actually mean? A systematic evaluation of courses required to earn a bachelor of science in geology in the United States A. Klyce & K. Ryker 10.1080/10899995.2022.2076201
- From a virtual field trip to geologically reasoned decisions in Yosemite Valley N. Barth et al. 10.5194/gc-5-17-2022
- A spectrum of geoscience communication: from dissemination to participation S. Illingworth 10.5194/gc-6-131-2023
- Geoscience Fieldwork in the Age of COVID-19 and Beyond: Commentary on the Development of a Virtual Geological Field Trip to Whitefish Falls, Ontario, Canada A. Peace et al. 10.3390/geosciences11120489
- How Can Geoscience Communication Foster Public Engagement with Geoconservation? J. Rodrigues et al. 10.1007/s12371-023-00800-5
- Gamified course design in introductory geology: Students with diverse identities are successful both online and in-person K. Kortz 10.1080/10899995.2025.2555159
- Valuing student voice in the development of digital preparation resources for fieldwork J. Maddison et al. 10.1080/14729679.2024.2447745
- An evaluation of game-based computer science course designs: The example of minecraftedu B. Tonbuloğlu 10.1007/s10639-023-11996-y
14 citations as recorded by crossref.
- Minecraft as a Pedagogical Tool: A Systematic Literature Review (2014–2024) J. García-Álvarez & J. Acevedo-Borrega 10.1177/15554120251341034
- Promoting Co-Design in Learning Design Research: Integrating Design-Based Research, Decision-Making, and Ethnographic Approaches J. Stefaniak et al. 10.1007/s11528-025-01067-z
- The impact of online teaching on Geology degree programs during COVID-19: A case study from the University of Barcelona (Spain) G. Alías et al. 10.1080/10899995.2023.2165858
- The Rock Garden: a preliminary assessment of how campus-based field skills training impacts student confidence in real-world fieldwork T. Wong Hearing et al. 10.5194/gc-7-17-2024
- Minecraft as an Educational Tool Before, During, and After the Pandemic: A Case Study Research Project E. Cigognini & A. Nardi 10.2478/eurodl-2024-0011
- The importance of active-learning, student support, and peer teaching networks: A case study from the world’s longest COVID-19 lockdown in Melbourne, Australia S. McLaren et al. 10.1080/10899995.2023.2242071
- Didattica immersiva tra presenza e distanza con Minecraft: la voce degli studenti A. Nardi & M. Cigognini 10.57568/iulresearch.v4i7.399
- Mining and Processing of Mineral Resources: A Comparative Study of Simulated and Operational Processes R. Rybár et al. 10.3390/pr13092823
- What does a degree in geology actually mean? A systematic evaluation of courses required to earn a bachelor of science in geology in the United States A. Klyce & K. Ryker 10.1080/10899995.2022.2076201
- From a virtual field trip to geologically reasoned decisions in Yosemite Valley N. Barth et al. 10.5194/gc-5-17-2022
- A spectrum of geoscience communication: from dissemination to participation S. Illingworth 10.5194/gc-6-131-2023
- Geoscience Fieldwork in the Age of COVID-19 and Beyond: Commentary on the Development of a Virtual Geological Field Trip to Whitefish Falls, Ontario, Canada A. Peace et al. 10.3390/geosciences11120489
- How Can Geoscience Communication Foster Public Engagement with Geoconservation? J. Rodrigues et al. 10.1007/s12371-023-00800-5
- Gamified course design in introductory geology: Students with diverse identities are successful both online and in-person K. Kortz 10.1080/10899995.2025.2555159
2 citations as recorded by crossref.
Discussed (final revised paper)
Latest update: 30 Oct 2025
Short summary
                    In response to the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown, we designed a virtual geology field camp based in the video game Minecraft. Students learned how to map geological features on the surface and in the subsurface using this fun and engaging platform. Students' perceptions of the course were positive, and they showed improvement in basic geologic skills between pre-assessment and post-assessment surveys. Students discussed career pathways and skills and fostered interpersonal relationships.
                    In response to the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown, we designed a virtual geology field camp based in...
                    
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