Minecraft May Finally Be Coming To US Schools

Shortly before the school year ended in June, 1,700 American kids got to do what most students can only dream of — play video games in class. No, the 100 educators that allowed this were not slacking off. They were helping Microsoft beta test a new Minecraft Education Edition, which the company plans to offer to schools across the globe within the next few weeks.
While the computer game, which challenges kids to use their imagination by building futuristic virtual worlds, has been offered in Swedish schools since 2013, it has not been widely embraced by educators elsewhere. But project director Deirdre Quarnstrom believes that this new education version, where students get to create their own stories and games, will be a huge success with both student and teachers.

Of course, the classroom version will have some differences from the traditional game you might play at home. Non-player characters, placed into the game by teachers, will provide guidance and narration, while a chalkboard will allow them to write instructions. A control panel called Classroom Mode will enable educators to grant students access to resources, monitor their location, send messages, and even teleport students to the right place should they wander off or get lost. Teachers unfamiliar with the game can select from numerous pre-created immersive lesson plans that range from exploring the Temple of Artemis to modeling biodiversity loss.
For educators concerned that bringing video games into the classroom might reduce classroom collaboration, there is a multi-player mode. Using this, students can enter other’s games and help their peers solve an issue they may be struggling with or test out new ideas.

However, while these features add more structure and allow teachers to give specific assignments, students still have complete freedom to use their imagination and creativity to program a game based on their interest, whether it’s a science-fiction movie or their favorite fantasy series. Quarnstrom says Microsoft has kept the game “pure” to ensure kids (aged 5 and above) have an authentic Minecraft experience." The director believes that "a lot of what creates that kind of magical educational experience is the no-rules sandbox environment. Students really feel inspired to keep going and set up their own challenges, which is exactly what educators want to see."
The students and teachers fortunate to be selected for the June beta test seem to agree. 13-year-old Elena Rezac, who built a quest-driven maze inspired by the science fiction movie,"The Maze Runner,” says that the game is “lots of fun because you can do whatever you want." Her teacher, Steve Isaacs, approves of the game because it encourages students to be inventive. The educator says that the game’s varied choices allow every kid to find an area where he/she can succeed.

The Minecraft Education Edition that is expected to cost between $1 to $5 a student, will be launched sometime this month. Meanwhile, educators can introduce gaming to their classrooms by signing up for the beta version. While it doesn’t have all the features of the final product, it is a good way how students engage with this popular video game, without paying a dime.
Resources: Fastcompany.com,the verge.com,cnnmoney.com
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3085 Comments
- z_boyminecraftFriday, January 15, 2021 at 8:07 amI love minecraft so much that it's in my profile name. This would be TOTALLY AWESOME!!
- z_boyminecraftFriday, January 15, 2021 at 8:08 amI have java and pocket edition.
- insanitycrazy10Friday, January 15, 2021 at 7:07 amMan, I REALLY hope this gets in school it would be like a dream come true
- giulistarbucksgTuesday, January 12, 2021 at 4:30 pmI really like Minecraft I play on my PS3
- insanitycrazy10Friday, January 15, 2021 at 7:10 amCool that's sick I wish I had one of those
- jite3245679Monday, January 11, 2021 at 11:33 amI play Minecraft and it is so much fun to play
- adonikusSunday, January 10, 2021 at 8:22 amI hope it will come to school in the future but i play on 3ds so I don't have the new updates😞
- vampirelady2010Sunday, January 3, 2021 at 11:24 pmOh that will be cool doing that in school. I read a article about Minecraft and it said that IN SOME schools they play Minecraft to learn science and a whole a lot of other stuff they said that I do not remember. But I haved played it before and it is so much fun. I have fun playing it.
- nyaninjaSunday, January 3, 2021 at 5:47 pmCool your homeschooled, I'm not but tomorrow I will be going back😁
- outergalacticWednesday, December 23, 2020 at 5:26 ami had minecraft as an after school program
- pokemonmaster1Tuesday, December 15, 2020 at 11:51 amI have it on my Nintendo Switch.
- pokemonmaster1Tuesday, December 15, 2020 at 11:52 amIt's really cool. I play it every day.
- broblox24689Wednesday, December 9, 2020 at 9:14 amI WANT IT SO BAD BUT... its not for homeschoolers
- insanitycrazy10Friday, January 15, 2021 at 7:14 amThere's pocket edition, and bedrock/vanilla, there's java, java is pretty expensive but i don't know every version
- insanitycrazy10Friday, January 15, 2021 at 7:13 amIt doesn't matter if you're homeschooled if you get a different version
- insanitycrazy10Friday, January 15, 2021 at 7:11 amYou can get a different version