Build Challenges with teams or individuals

  • 6 minutes

This unit explores the differences between students participating in Build Challenges as teams or individuals. There are benefits to each, so you use these considerations when planning a Build Challenge.

Collaboration and communication

  • Teams: Working together encourages collaboration and communication. Teammates share ideas, divide tasks, and combine their strengths to create more complex builds.
  • Individuals: Individual challenges promote self-reliance. Solo builders have the opportunity to showcase their unique vision and creativity, demonstrating their individual skills.

Division of skills

  • Teams: Each team member can specialize in different aspects (architecture, landscaping, redstone). This division of skills allows for specialization and efficiency.
  • Individuals: Working independently encourages students to practice and appreciate the different skills required to complete a Build Challenge. This can support better team cohesion by understanding what fellow teammates must complete in their respective roles.

Problem-solving

  • Teams: Collaborative problem-solving allows team members to tackle complex issues together. When faced with design constraints or technical hurdles, teammates can brainstorm solutions, experiment, and iterate collectively.
  • Individuals: Solo builders develop resilience and resourcefulness by solving problems independently. They learn to adapt, experiment, and find creative workarounds when faced with obstacles.

Accountability and motivation

  • Teams: When working in a team, members hold each other accountable for progress and quality. Knowing that others rely on their contributions motivates team members to stay committed and meet deadlines.
  • Individuals: Solo builders are accountable to themselves. They set personal goals and take pride in their individual achievements. This self-imposed accountability fosters discipline and responsibility.

Time management and efficiency

  • Teams: Distributing tasks allows for efficient use of time. Teams can work simultaneously on different parts of the build.
  • Individuals: Solo builders must allocate their time; prioritizing tasks and adhering to a schedule are essential.

Build spaces

  • Collaborative/multiplayer worlds: For students to collaborate in a shared/multiplayer environment one student needs to host a world for their team to join. If you're unfamiliar with how multiplayer experiences in Minecraft Education, start by exploring How to Set Up A Multiplayer Game on the Minecraft Education website. Host a world also covers multiplayer worlds in greater detail.
  • Individual worlds: Students working as individuals have the flexibility to work in their own world-not requiring a multiplayer session since they aren't contributing to a group build. You can alternatively choose to set up a multiplayer world and have students competing individually, in the same world. For this, refer to How to Set Up A Multiplayer Game!

While team challenges foster collaboration, individual play offers unique benefits. Consider your learning environment and choose what aligns best with your goals. The skills honed during individual Build Challenges can support students when they participate in team-based challenges, so there's no wrong choice!