Is There an Educational Minecraft That You Can Play?
The short answer is a resounding yes! There absolutely is an educational version of Minecraft specifically designed for learning environments. It’s called Minecraft Education Edition, and it’s much more than just a game – it’s a powerful tool for educators and students alike. This version takes the familiar block-building, world-exploring gameplay of Minecraft and infuses it with features tailored for classroom use, fostering creativity, problem-solving, and collaborative learning. If you’re curious about whether Minecraft can be more than just a fun pastime, or you’re a teacher looking for innovative ways to engage your students, then Minecraft Education Edition might be exactly what you’re looking for.
What is Minecraft Education Edition?
Minecraft Education Edition is a version of Minecraft specifically designed for educational purposes. It is built upon the foundation of the original game but includes a host of tools and features that make it an ideal learning platform. These enhancements allow teachers to manage classrooms within the game, create custom lesson plans, and track student progress. In essence, it leverages the engaging nature of Minecraft to provide a rich and interactive learning experience.
Key Features of Minecraft Education Edition
- Classroom Management Tools: Teachers can manage student access, communicate in-game, and monitor progress.
- Customizable Worlds: Educators can create unique worlds tailored to specific lessons and subjects.
- Ready-Made Lesson Plans: A library of pre-built lessons across various subjects makes it easy for educators to start using the platform.
- Collaborative Gameplay: Students can work together in teams to solve problems and complete tasks.
- Coding Integration: Allows students to learn programming concepts using blocks or Python code.
- Safe and Secure Environment: Provides a secure and controlled environment suitable for a classroom setting.
Who Can Use Minecraft Education Edition?
Minecraft Education Edition is not just for schools. While it’s designed with classrooms in mind, it is also accessible to homeschoolers and can be used within family settings. You can utilize it on a wide range of devices such as Windows, Mac, iPhone/iPad, Chromebook, and Android phones or tablets. As long as you meet the required licensing and have an appropriate device, Minecraft Education is an option.
Is Minecraft Education Edition Different from Regular Minecraft?
Yes, it is! While based on the core mechanics of Minecraft, there are significant differences. The most significant is the addition of tools for classroom management and educational content. Regular Minecraft focuses primarily on creative building and survival, whereas the Education Edition emphasizes learning, collaboration, and the application of skills. In addition, the Education Edition includes a secure platform for learning and teaching, making it more suitable for younger players.
Another key difference lies in the content and features available. The Education Edition has tools for educators to monitor progress, create unique lesson plans, and promote group activities, which are not included in the original version.
How Do I Start Using Minecraft Education?
There are a couple of ways to get started. You can try it out with a free demo or through a free trial. The trial usually requires a Microsoft account, like an Office 365 Education account or Microsoft 365 account. For continued use, you will need to purchase a license.
For those looking for a free, limited experience, you can access the demo mode without an account. This version provides limited content, but you can use the 2020 coding lesson and get familiar with the layout of the interface.
Trial & Purchase Options
- Free Trial: Requires an educational or Microsoft 365 account.
- Demo Mode: Available to try without an account.
- Licensing: Requires purchasing licenses through the Microsoft 365 admin center.
- Homeschooling: Purchase licenses through a Microsoft 365 admin center account and organization using your details where it requests business/company information, then create users and assign licenses to them
Is It Worth It?
The value of Minecraft Education Edition depends on your specific needs. If you are a teacher looking for engaging ways to teach, it can be an invaluable tool. Its ability to blend play with learning is remarkable. If you are already a Minecraft Bedrock Edition player, some of the features may be duplicated so you might want to try the trial to see if it adds anything for you or your kids. If you’re a homeschooler seeking ways to incorporate learning with fun, the Education Edition can be incredibly useful. The teacher controls do mean that it does take away some of the free exploration aspect of regular Minecraft so keep that in mind.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I play Minecraft Education Edition at home?
Yes, students can play Minecraft Education Edition at home. You will need to log in with your Minecraft Education account on a supported platform.
2. Is Minecraft Education Edition free?
Minecraft Education Edition has a free trial and demo to get started. However, it is not entirely free, and you will need to purchase a license for continued use.
3. How do I access the Minecraft Education free demo?
To use the Minecraft Education demo, open the app and select the 2020 hour coding lesson and then select the Python option. You will follow the tutorials. You can also run commands like creative mode once you know the game basics.
4. How long does a Minecraft Education Edition subscription last?
Minecraft Education Edition licenses last for one year once redeemed.
5. Can homeschoolers use Minecraft Education Edition?
Yes, homeschoolers can use Minecraft Education Edition. They will need to create a Microsoft 365 Admin Center account and purchase licenses for each student.
6. What are the age recommendations for Minecraft Education Edition?
While the original Minecraft is often recommended for ages 8 and up, the Education Edition’s controlled environment and educational focus make it suitable for some younger students, often around the age of 7 and up depending on the child.
7. What platforms can I use Minecraft Education Edition on?
Minecraft Education Edition is available on a wide range of devices including Windows, Mac, iPhone/iPad, Chromebook, and Android phones or tablets.
8. How much does Minecraft Education Edition cost?
The cost of Minecraft Education Edition varies depending on the license type. Generally, it is available through a yearly subscription. You can also check the Minecraft website for updated prices.
9. What version of Minecraft is the Education Edition based on?
Minecraft Education Edition is based on the Bedrock version of Minecraft.
10. How do you get Minecraft Education Edition for your school?
Minecraft Education Edition is obtained through the Microsoft Intune admin center. In the admin center select Apps>Windows>Add. Then under app type, select Microsoft Store App (new), search for Minecraft Education and install it.
11. Is Minecraft Education safe for children?
Yes, Minecraft Education Edition offers a secure platform for teaching and learning. It also includes controls that make sure no inappropriate content can get in.
12. Is Minecraft Education good for coding skills?
Yes, it is great for coding. It provides an environment for students to learn coding skills through blocks and Python.
13. What are the limitations of Minecraft Education Edition?
Minecraft Education Edition’s teacher-controlled world can limit a sense of wonder and exploration. There may also be some limitations on mods and creative expression compared to the standard version.
14. Is Minecraft Education Edition just the regular Minecraft game?
No, it’s not just the regular Minecraft game. It has a range of unique educational features and tools specifically made for learning environments and is licensed separately.
15. How can I try Minecraft Education Edition without a school email?
You can try Minecraft Education Edition by using the demo mode and selecting the 2020 hour of code lesson and then python mode.
Conclusion
Minecraft Education Edition offers a unique and powerful approach to learning, and it is readily available to those looking to use it. Whether you’re an educator, a parent, or a curious learner, Minecraft Education Edition provides an immersive and engaging way to explore various subjects and develop essential skills. The game successfully blends entertainment with education, demonstrating that learning can be fun and highly effective with the proper tools.