The Inclusivity and Student Growth Standard
Educators understand and apply knowledge of student growth and development.
“Educators are knowledgeable about how children and youth develop as learners and social beings. Educators demonstrate an understanding of individual learning difference and needs. Educators recognize the importance and connection of cultural identity, ways of being and worldviews to student learning. Educators use this knowledge to inform decisions about curriculum, instruction and assessment. Educators work to create a positive, safe and inclusive environment to best meet the diverse needs of students.” Reads the description of Standard 3 from the BCTC PDF.
There is no one way to win at Minecraft. Some people race to slay the ender dragon, some just want a little house with a farm, and some feel fulfilled when they’ve mined to bedrock. All of these are success!
You wouldn’t force a person who plays on peaceful mode and finds joy in building to create a world on hard mode. You wouldn’t force that person to find the End portal. You wouldn’t tell them that they need to slay the ender dragon to play the game properly. That’s just not how it works! You might make suggestions to expand their horizons but ultimately how they decide to play is their choice.
[ID Begin: A screenshot of the ender dragon from Minecraft. It is a heavily pixelated, black dragon with purple and gray details. The background is dark with black obsidian towers. ID End.]
Students all have potential for success! It doesn’t always look the same! Educators have a responsibility to find ways for all students to be successful. It isn’t just about changing the end goal but also adjusting the “gameplay” to account for individual needs of students. You have to meet the students where they are at.