The fantastic game Minecraft has increased student creativity to a new level. For the past few years, students all over the world have been engrossed in Minecraft. Students can use their imaginations to create, explore, and experiment in the virtual world of Minecraft. K–12 students can use the interactive game-based learning tool known as “Minecraft Education Edition.”
Teachers and educators can design their own lesson plans using the Minecraft Education Edition that directly relate to the school’s curriculum. Additionally, they can pick from the vast majority of lesson plans already made on the platform that are aligned with the curriculum.
Curriculum-aligned lesson plans for Minecraft: Education Edition’s featured lessons and problem-solving lessons are available here. Teachers and educators feel supported by Minecraft with the help of these lessons. allowing them the space to communicate their goals to students in a clear and organized manner
Edition allows teachers to offer a fun and interactive lesson for their students through playing the game of
. Students of all ages can learn from this edition. Educators can create their own lesson plans using the resources available to them in-game.
What is Minecraft: Education Edition?
A game called Minecraft uses block-based graphics and interactive virtual design tools. Anyone playing can create virtual worlds in which they can play as characters and roam around without restriction.
There are numerous minigames, but we’ll just concentrate on what the Education Edition has to offer.
Over the regular version, the Minecraft: Education Edition provides teachers with exclusive features that let them manage the virtual environment their students are using. This makes it safe, enables the instructor to keep students concentrated on a task, and also opens up communication options.
The game is compatible with numerous platforms, including Chromebooks, tablets, and laptops and desktops. It is a great option to provide a virtual environment that isn’t taxing on a network connection because of its low technological requirements, making it extremely inclusive.
What’s Good About Minecraft: Education Edition for Students?
With good reason, game-based learning is still a very common teaching method. For students, it is immediately appealing and engaging because of its gaming nature, particularly for Minecraft, which is played by kids worldwide and has an Education Edition in more than 115 countries.
Students can participate in lessons on problem-solving either individually or collaboratively thanks to the game, which develops project-based skills. As a result, STEM education takes place in a setting that fosters both digital citizenship and confidence in the real world.
This facilitates learning and assessment because students can take a screenshot at any time during or after the project task and send it to the teacher for evaluation. Additionally, it is a nice way for students to compile a portfolio of their accomplished work.
Students can even learn how to code while playing the game thanks to a Code Builder mode. Code provides an underwater biome for the study of oceanography and allows students to experiment with basic chemistry.
Why is Minecraft: Education Edition Good for Teachers?
Teachers can take advantage of the advantages of being in a community with other teachers by playing Minecraft: Education Edition. There are many opportunities, from participating in message boards to working with other schools.
The website offers a variety of tools to help teachers navigate the platform more easily. There are available tutorial videos and lesson plans, some of which are downloadable worlds that can be used as lesson templates. Additionally, the platform provides connections to trainers, mentors, and other educators.
Teachers can view a map of the virtual world in the classroom mode and zoom in and out to interact with each student. If a student avatar wanders off, they can also move them back to their proper location.
Teachers can even use chalkboards to give students assignments and goals, just like in the real world. Even non-playable characters that act as guides for students, guiding them from one task to the next, can be created by teachers.
What Does Minecraft: Education Edition Cost?
Although it may seem expensive, the idea of an endless world supported by numerous education-focused tools that students actually want to use is actually quite affordable.
Minecraft: Education Edition offers two different pricing systems:
– There is a $5 per user per year fee for a small, one-class school.
– Microsoft offers volume licensing for larger schools with more than 100 students and multiple classrooms using the game. Prices will vary depending on the size of the school and the plan selected, and are part of the Microsoft Enrollment for Education Solutions program.
Of course, hardware must also be considered in addition to that. Most laptops, desktops, and tablets are capable of running Minecraft. Windows 10 for desktop computers, macOS or iOS for tablets, and Chrome OS for Chromebooks are the minimum requirements.
Get started by downloading Minecraft: Education Edition here (opens in new tab).
Minecraft Java vs. Minecraft Bedrock: What’s the difference?
There are two versions of Minecraft, each of which is sold separately and cannot be used together. Which version should you choose? The original, Minecraft Java, is only available for PC and is available through the company’s website. However, Minecraft Bedrock Edition can be downloaded from the Microsoft Store and is compatible with all of those platforms as well as Windows 10.
To collaborate online, it’s important to ensure that you and your students are using the same version of the software. Bedrock doesn’t offer Hardcore mode, in which you can’t respawn after dying. Spectator, which allows you to fly around and see the world, is not either.
It’s important to note that the Java edition of the game has more free mods than the Bedrock version, which has a lot of paid content add-ons, if this is your first time purchasing the game. However, Bedrock performs a little bit more smoothly and is better for cross-platform gameplay.
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Luke Edwards is a freelance writer and editor who has been writing about technology, science, and health for more than 20 years. He contributes articles to numerous publications on a variety of topics, including smartphones, cars, digital teaching aids, smart homes, TV, and audio. Recommended.
A Look at Minecraft Education Edition
FAQ
What does education do in Minecraft?
For learning environments, Minecraft: Education Edition has features designed to support collaboration, assessment, coding, and more. Browse more than 600 lessons to engage students across the curriculum that are aligned with standards. You can even write and submit your own Minecraft lessons!.
What is the difference of Minecraft and Minecraft: Education Edition?
Minecraft: Education Edition is more of a learning platform based on the well-known game, whereas the original game allows for free exploration and plays like a traditional game. Children who play this version of Minecraft can develop a range of coding, mathematical, and problem-solving abilities.
What cool stuff can you do in Minecraft: Education Edition?
Students can play Minecraft and learn about chemistry, coding, and other subjects with the Education Edition. This special edition includes all of Minecraft’s features as well as new blocks, items, and monsters that are educational. Blocks can contain elements that players can take out and use to create a variety of compounds.
Is Minecraft: Education Edition worth it?
The bottom line is that teachers now have more access than ever to a fantastic tool for involving students in learning, collaboration, and critical thinking.
