Mojang announces Minecraft:
Education Edition, offering more digital blocks to students. Here's the
plan:
News from a slightly different, arguably smarter, place today.
We’re announcing Minecraft: Education Edition.
Of course, every Minecraft player learns essential life-skills like
tree-punching and good Creeper-defence but, when used in the right way,
Minecraft can help people around the world to learn lots more.
Over the past few years, educators around the world have been using Minecraft to
explore subjects that might not spring to mind when you think of our block-based
game. Since 2011, MinecraftEdu - a version of Minecraft built for the classroom
- has been used in over 40 countries. Lots of people have learned loads of
things since then.
Microsoft has acquired MinecraftEdu and is building upon its proven success to
create a new version of Minecraft that’s dedicated to learning. The new title
will be available as a free trial this summer. All existing MinecraftEdu
customers will get the first year of Minecraft: Education Edition free of
charge.
It’s going to be a collaborative thing. Development of Minecraft: Education
Edition will be shaped by a community of educators thanks to
education.minecraft.net.. The site
will host lesson plans and give Minecraft: Education Edition users somewhere to
discuss ideas and provide feedback. We know teachers can be a rowdy bunch, so
we’re looking into the best ways to moderate the forums as I type. Wish us luck.
For more on Minecraft: Education Edition, check out
this postpost (which
comes with bonus quotes), or visit the
official page.