Minecraft: Education Edition

After reading last week’s articles, “Digital Natives, Digital Immigrants” and “What Video Games Have to Teach Us About Learning and Literacy,” I realized the importance of developing different methods to teach today’s students. In our generation, students, also known as Digital Natives, may learn better through the “edutainment” approach, instead of the conventional teaching ways. A recent article published by CNN shows that Microsoft agrees with such a view. Microsoft will soon release an educational version of a widely played online game known as Minecraft. They will alter MinecraftEdu, an existing educational software used in 40 countries, and launch their own version for schools this summer. In the way Minecraft lets players create their virtual lives, MinecraftEdu lets teachers create the objective of the game and lessons to go along with it. Teachers have used this tool to teach a variety of subjects such as engineering, coding, math, and history. Microsoft’s new version of MinecraftEdu will have improved maps that will allow students and teachers to navigate better. It will contain a multi-player mode that will let 40 students enter into a single game. Microsoft’s version will also have a social-media feature. Once Microsoft releases their new and improved tool, they will be offering free trials to schools. They have also developed a forum on education.minecraft.net for teachers who want to discuss their lesson plans and views on using this educational version of Minecraft. By developing Minecraft: Education Edition, Microsoft is taking the initiative to improve and recreate education systems, so that they are well suited for the learners of today.

References 

https://mojang.com/2016/01/announcing-minecraft-education-edition/

http://money.cnn.com/2016/01/19/technology/microsoft-minecraft-education/