Introduction: Makey Makey Minecraft Controller
I wanted to combine a couple of my favourite Ed tech tools - Makey Makey and Minecraft - to increase accessibility for those with fine motor issues. This controller allows students to move their Minecraft character, place objects and break things!
Supplies
- computer and internet to power the Makey Makey and run Minecraft the program
- Makey Makey kit
- copper tape or aluminum foil
- cardboard to for shapes
- glue
- tape
- scissors
Step 1: Controller Shapes
- Cut shapes from cardstock or cardboard
- I used 4 colours for the WASD (forward, left, back, right) movements to help with differentiation
- and made 4 arrows which could be used to point out direction of movement once set up
- I made 2 triangular shapes for the left and right mouse clicks
- 1 space bar - rectangle
- I used 4 colours for the WASD (forward, left, back, right) movements to help with differentiation
- Making the shapes conductive
- I used glue to paste aluminum foil to the back of each shape, being careful to get to the edges for connecting to alligator clips later
Step 2: Ground Bracelet
I decided that I needed a ground bracelet for this project - the whole purpose is accessibility and it seemed ridiculous to have one hand tied up holding the ground alligator clip. I used BSUlibrarian's Hands Free MaKey MaKey Ground Bracelet Instructable as my guide. I didn't have any aluminum tape on hand so I made a nice bed of copper tape instead.
When working with duct tape - I like to use a frame to help hold the tape while I'm stretching it out and cutting it. Then I flip the frame over and line up the next piece of duct tape along the back - no fuss and no muss!
Step 3: Connecting the Controller
- Looking at the back of the Makey Makey , use jumper cables to connect to the black headers for WASD on the left side of the board and to the left and right mouseclicks along the right.
- I used a bit of electrical tape to hold the jumpers in place
- Next - connect alligator clips to the jumper cables and the shape cards, making sure to get the right shape with the right jumper.
- I used a bit of stick tack on the back of the shapes to keep them from moving around during student use
- Connect the red Makey Makey power cable and get ready to discover and learn in Minecraft.
Step 4: Explore Minecraft!
Enjoy!
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