If I were to say to you who is Daniel Middleton, Jordan Maron, Adam Dahlberg, Tiffany Herrera, Thomas, Beth Bates, David Spencer and Joseph Garrett would you think I was rambling on about a list of people I know?

Would you know them?

OK how about if I say The Diamond Minecart (DanTDM, CaptainSparklez, SkyDoesMinecraft, Ihascupquake, Choochoosgaming, Sqaisheyquack, Iballisticsqud and Stampyylonghead?

Any clearer now?

Who are all these folk?

There are of course YouTubers who have amassed billions of views on their channels and why?

Minecraft.

Yes Minecraft that lovely blocky sandbox game, they all make videos around Minecraft whether it’s gameplay, modding, tips or tricks or even parody music videos these are some of the folk children are watching and talking about. Given all the attention Minecraft is getting at the moment I decided to do a little more research on YouTube and with the help of my daughters (who better to learn from) I discovered more to Minecraft videos than just Stampy and DanTDM. Stampy works with a few folk iBalisticSquid being one of them – they have build challenges a 15 minute section where their followers suggest something for them to build and both take on the challenge with viewers watching one channel or the other. Viewers then vote on who did the best build. The also do quests together amongst other things. Another regular with Stampy is Sqaisheyquack who is a Minecraft helper in Stampys Lovely world but also has her own gaming channel on YouTube too. Others include AmyLee33 and AshDubh. Stampy also has an educational channel as well now called WonderQuest.

ChooChoosgaming is a channel run by Thomas (no full name given) and he uploads regular videos about games he likes to play including Minecraft. iHasCupQuake run by Tiffany Herrera is a channel for all things geek. She covers games, baking and all things creative. SkyDoesMinecraft is another popular channel with over 11 million subscribers waiting patiently for those Minecraft video uploads. Most YouTubers videos are uploaded on a regular basis with the norm being that they are uploading new material on a daily basis. You only have to look at the number of views on their channels to see just how popular they are!

OK so how is this relevant then? Given that Minecraft is so popular just now then why not tap into resources already there? Well as someone who has done some teaching with Minecraft this is another way to get started in the class. What better than to discuss or write about our favourite YouTube personality and look at the work they produce? How about some maths YouTube provide lots of information (number of subscribers/channel views/videos etc) How about making their own Minecraft video in the style of their favourite YouTuber or even just making their own videos? Or artwork on squared paper in the style of Minecraft. Even if you don’t have Minecraft on your computers in school there are still ways that you can use it to inspire children’s’ learning.

Maybe even before the learning in class just learn more about what the children are watching – it’s certainly opened my eyes. Ask the children who they watch and why, then go home and do that yourself. Nothing wrong with admitting to the children you don’t know who x,y or z are but don’t be afraid to learn more about x,y or z that’s how I’ve just spent my weekend.

The following videos I found to be rather amusing I should say but at the same time they are well done – 2 music parody videos. The first a Taylor Swift – We are never ever getting back together parody and the second a parody of Coldplays Paradise well worth a watch.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uWL0UwFbkL8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3V7wWemZ_cs&index=1&list=PLm29cAuVva6_odcqD7Ti-RZOIrZKe5q9l

Just in case you’re still wondering:

Joseph Garrett is Stampylonghead

David Spencer is Iballisticsqud

Beth Bates is Sqaisheyquack

Thomas is Choochoosgaming

Tiffany Herrera is Ihascupquake

Adam Dahlberg is SkyDoesMinecraft

Jordan Maron is CaptainSparklez

Daniel Middleton is The Diamond Minecart (DanTDM)

With thanks to my wonderful daughters who have opened my eyes a little more to all thats YouTubey and Minecrafty! The above are just a few of many YouTubers who make Minecraft videos and once you getting talking to the klds am sure you will find loads more not mentioned here.