Discover Blocksmith: 3D Coding & Design FAQs
Does my Blocksmith Group license need to be renewed each year?
Yes. After your subscription expires, you will need to renew your license to continue using curriculum tracks, premium assets, educational experiences and workspace features.
If your Blocksmith subscription is not renewed, your and your students’ accounts will be downgraded to the Free version. Students can continue to use the BlocksmithXR Builder, but they will not have access to premium features or curriculum tracks.
How many student accounts are included in the license?
Group licenses are available in 30, 75, and 150 account groups. The Admin account does not count towards the total. Extra accounts may be added onto any base package in groups of 10 for an extra fee. Individual accounts may also be added on month-to-month for a small fee of $2.99 through the Blocksmith site.
Only currently active accounts count against your total. You can reuse the same Blocksmith account again and again with each new group of students by switching out their accounts in your Workspace Dashboard.
For example, you can teach a Blocksmith course during Fall semester with Class A, and then during Spring semester you can remove Class A from your Workspace and replace them with Class B to teach the course again.
Do I need programming or video game development experience to teach a Blocksmith course?
Not at all. Discover Blocksmith includes built-in, student-led curriculum tracks that allow instructors to learn alongside their students, regardless of their experience level. You will also receive an Instructor Guide with additional instructions, activities and support to help you get started.
Do I need VR equipment to use Blocksmith?
Not at all. Experiences can be played in first-person view through the BlocksmithXR Builder.
However, using a VR viewer adds a whole new level of engagement, so we highly recommend giving it a try!
What will my students learn from Blocksmith?
Discover Blocksmith teaches students many skills with real-world applications, including programming concepts (ie. logic, variables, spawners), user interface and user experience design concepts (UI and UX design), video game development, VR and AR applications, 3D modeling and more computer science topics.
For more information on STEAM careers that include skills that can be learned from Discover Blocksmith, check out our STEAM Career Exploration blog series!
Do any curriculum tracks include violence?
Blocksmith and PCS Edventures take great care to ensure curriculum tracks are appropriate for grades 4-12 — dodgeball is the most "intense" game in the Blocksmith curriculum.
The existing curriculum cannot be altered, but educators can make their own VR/AR experiences and curriculum tracks or import experiences created by others. Educators can choose what experiences to make available to their students in their Workspace.
Not every experience created by other users will be suitable for your class. We recommend playing through new experiences before making them available to your students.
Is Blocksmith compatible with Merge Goggles and Merge Mini Goggles?
Blocksmith is compatible with the Merge series goggles.
Merge headsets use smartphones for VR viewing. Install the Blocksmith Cardboard Viewer app from Google Play or the App Store. Then, tap the VR button in the app to switch to VR viewing mode and insert your phone into the headset.
I found a reference to credits. What are credits?
Credits were a system of currency that is now depreciated. You will not receive any credits, but you will have access to all premium features for as long as you have an active subscription. If you have any additional questions, please contact sales@edventures.com.
