Reading in Minecraft: A Generation Alpha Case Study

This qualitative case study reports the Four Resource Model (FRM) reading practices used by a millennial while playing the game Minecraft. The FRM skills of code breaker, text participant, text user and text analyst were investigated through data generated by observation, field notes, semi-structured interviews and a researcher reflective journal. The data was analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis. Four key themes emerged: language and articulation; social and mentor integration; real-world connection; and, parent and child viewpoints. Across these themes the FRM reading practices are being used by this child to make meaning while playing Minecraft. This game presents a multimodal text which this child is able to successfully navigate while designing and creating a digital story in virtual spaces.