This is a question we get from a lot of people, so today we’d like to clarify some of the differences between YouthDigital’s online modding classes and the LearnToMod Minecraft modding software.
First, it must be said: Minecraft is a spectacular, once-in-a-lifetime sort of opportunity for educators to engage with K-12 students in computer science (CS). Mods (i.e. code written to alter Minecraft gameplay) have become immensely popular. This is undeniably evidenced by the millions of mod downloads from Minecraft community sites like Curse.com and PlanetMinecraft.com, and the millions of subscribers and views of the most popular Youtube Minecraft stars. Because of the overwhelming popularity of Minecraft mods, tons of K-12 students now have an intrinsic motivation to learn coding! That’s right: kids WANT to learn computer science!
Remarkably, mods weren’t even in the original game plan for Minecraft. In fact, Markus Persson (i.e. Notch) even felt threatened by the early Minecraft mods. Thank goodness Mojang has taken a hands-off approach to letting the community manipulate and code their amazing game. Today, Minecraft modding provides an organic opportunity for educators to really engage with students in coding.
Although even more CS opportunities around Minecraft exist (we’ll elaborate on this in a future blog post), for some reason people specifically ask us: “Should I buy LearnToMod or YouthDigital? Which is right for my daughter/son?” Although we usually provide a much more succinct answer (see the summary table below), let’s get into the nitty-gritty details that differentiate these two products:
| LearnToMod | YouthDigital | |
| Software | Modding software made for students new to coding | Online course that teaches how to use professional development tools to mod Minecraft |
| Age Group | As young as 6 | As young as 8* |
| Teaching Method | Badges, puzzles, points, video tutorials | Video tutorials |
| Time to Start Modding | Less than 15 minutes | Over 1 hour |
| Community/Support | E-mail Support, Forums, Sharing Community | E-mail Support |
| Private Server | Yes | Yes * |
| Price | $29.99/year | $249.99 per course |
*Depends on situation. See discussion below for details.
Software
As do most summer camps that teach Minecraft modding, YouthDigital teaches students how to use expert software, like Eclipse, and an advanced programming language, Java, right off the bat. To us, we think expert software is not ideal for beginners, but students get to plunge into the life of a real programmer which is a great head start. At the start, students are guided through downloading and installing all the softwares they’ll need to constantly switch between in order to complete the course.
LearnToMod, on the other hand, is a new software, specifically designed for people who are new to programming. In our classes around the San Diego area, we saw students struggling with this expert software and these advanced, typed programming languages, getting frustrated, and giving up programming forever. LearnToMod is a completely in-browser experience where students learn how to code, first in Blockly (a drag-and-drop programming language similar to Scratch) and then graduating to typed Javascript. Rather than having to download and install a bunch of difficult software, everything is integrated into the LearnToMod website. Mods can be ported to Minecraft at the click of a button with LearnToMod. LearnToMod also includes special in-browser tools for creating new textures for blocks and items, as well as schematics.
Short Answer: Youth Digital is an online course. LearnToMod is a modding software. YouthDigital’s course teaches kids how to use the authentic, expert software that real programmers use. LearnToMod, on the other hand, is a software, specifically designed to provide a superior experience for students new to programming, that includes gamified curriculum that teaches students how to code.
Age Groups
YouthDigital recommends students to be at least 8 years old and gets them off the bat learning Java. It can be quite difficult though for many 8 year olds to start diving into this typed language without other support & fundamental training.
LearnToMod is accessible to students as young as 6 years old. Only limited typing is necessary throughout the gamified curriculum, and no confusing download/installation process is necessary. We feel like our software’s interchangeability between Javascript & Blockly can be compared to bowling with the assist rails up!
Teaching Method
YouthDigital teaches through video tutorials. Students must follow along with tutorials and switch between different application windows (the browser, Eclipse, Minecraft, etc.) There is approximately 30 hours of content per course.
LearnToMod teaches through a gamified curriculum that includes instructional videos. Students earn badges and points as they progress through over 250 badges (over 50 hours of content with more released monthly). Students solve coding puzzles and test their code in LearnToMod’s embedded simulator which is compatible with Minecraft mods (called Vox-L). Because LearnToMod is completely integrated, there’s no additional frustration switching between windows while you’re learning a new subject.
Time to Start Modding
Because of the installation of software and the fact that students are learning an expert programming tool and language, it can take well over an hour for students to make and test their first Minecraft mod. It can take over a day with YouthDigital’s support team to work out the kinks to get software properly installed on your machine.
Most students are able to complete and test their first Minecraft mod within 15 minutes of purchasing LearnToMod. After that, it’s all about learning how to make cooler, more complex mods.
Community/Support
YouthDigital offers e-mail support through their online teaching platform. Support lasts for 1-year after your purchase.
LearnToMod also offers e-mail support throughout your subscription. In addition, the LearnToMod Community has Forums where users can help each other and share their projects. The LearnToMod Community is all about sharing: students can showcase their mods, texture packs, and schematics.
Private Server
YouthDigital gives students a private Minecraft server in the Server Design course they offer.
All LearnToMod subscribers have access to 24/7 private Minecraft servers.
Price
YouthDigital has three Minecraft courses currently: Server Design, Mod Design, and 3D Character Animation. Each of these courses is regular $249.99, but you can often find them on sale for $200 through third parties like Groupon and Educents.
At a very reasonable $29.99/Year, LearnToMod saves parents approx. $470, since LearnToMod contains essentially the same content as YouthDigital’s Server Design and Mod Design courses. In the future, LearnToMod will even be releasing tools for creating new creatures in Minecraft, which will essentially cover YouthDigital’s Character Animation course, as well.