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Microsoft's acquisition of Minecraft for over $2 billion last year took many of us by surprise and left us feeling dumbfounded as to what they were thinking and where they would be going with the idea.

It looks like the blocks are finally starting to settle following the new announcement of Minecraft Education Edition launching later this year for use at home, and even in schools around the world.

The title will build on the learnings from MinecraftEdu while also offering an expanded set of features. In the coming months, Microsoft will help shape Minecraft: Education Edition with the help of a growing community of educators online at education.minecraft.net. The community pages hosted on the site will host a variety of resources, such as lesson plans, and a new Minecraft Mentors page that can help educators experienced in the ways of Minecraft to connect with new players.

“One of the reasons Minecraft fits so well in the classroom is because it’s a common, creative playground,” Mojang COO Vu Bui shares in a statement submitted to Shacknews. “We’ve seen that Minecraft transcends the differences in teaching and learning styles and education systems around the world. It’s an open space where people can come together and build a lesson around nearly anything.”

Minecraft: Education Edition will be available as a free trial this summer, while all existing MinecraftEdu customers will receive the first year of the title free of charge.

Microsoft is quick to emphasize that its keeping the changes minor because it doesn't want to make Minecraft into a straight educational product; it's still a game first a foremost and therefore something kids want to use in the classroom and at home.

It would appear the foundation of the new product is of an education mod that Microsoft seems to have acquired as the basis for their team to work with. Either way, expect to see and hear more about Minecraft Education Edition in the coming months.

SOURCE

 

[3DSPoet]

hahaha, well, I don't see the point in arguing the idea with you. Some people find it is a great way to trick kids into learning stuff by using it in creative ways. Some people use it as a lazy way to avoid learning...to each their own.

 

[Xzi]

hahaha, well, I don't see the point in arguing the idea with you. Some people find it is a great way to trick kids into learning stuff by using it in creative ways. Some people use it as a lazy way to avoid learning...to each their own.

Seems like Microsoft trying to find additional ways to monetize Minecraft more than anything else. And sell to a new demographic, teachers and educators.

 

[DarkCoffe64]

The only thing Micro$oft is gonna change from vanilla Minecraft is probably the title.




Well, at least Micro$oft gave kids at schools an excuse to be able to play Minecraft without getting grounded or something.

 

[Lucifer666]

I'm cringing so hard at this my god

 

[Tom Bombadildo]

Seems like Microsoft trying to find additional ways to monetize Minecraft more than anything else. And sell to a new demographic, teachers and educators.

See, that would be relevant, except MinecraftEDU has been a thing for nearly 5 years now and is already widely sold to the so-called "new demographic". They're not "finding additional ways", they're simply adopting the one that's been there and that's been successful so they can bank off it, too.

 

[MrJason005]

Next up: Calculus in Minecraft.

 

[3DSPoet]

Next up: Calculus in Minecraft.

Have you played Minecraft? It requires you to know advanced math and lots of super high-level thinking processes to fully enjoy it! XD That's actually one of the things that makes it SUCH a good educational tool! Kids start problem-solving and figuring out complex patterns and such without even realizing they're doing it. Add the right lessons & instructional material to that and you've got a very powerful tool for teaching!

 

[Deboog]

Have you played Minecraft? It requires you to know advanced math and lots of super high-level thinking processes to fully enjoy it!

 

[Xzi]

See, that would be relevant, except MinecraftEDU has been a thing for nearly 5 years now and is already widely sold to the so-called "new demographic". They're not "finding additional ways", they're simply adopting the one that's been there and that's been successful so they can bank off it, too.

I see.

 

[Xanthe]

Oh boy....Can't wait to see how this one goes....

 

[Hells Malice]

Minecraft is something you do on your phone while the teacher is talking about something else. It's as educational as doodling in your notebook when you're supposed to be doing your assignment. Although to be fair, that actually led to a career path for some people, while Minecraft leads to nothing but more Minecraft.

I guess you're correct from a very wrong, narrow minded and uncreative point of view.



In other words, no you're an idiot.

 

[Xzi]

I guess you're correct from a very wrong, narrow minded and uncreative point of view.

In other words, no you're an idiot.

Don't get me wrong, I loved Legos as a kid. But unless every one of those kids plans on getting a degree in engineering, it's just a toy.

Then again, teachers would just put on movies when they were hungover or something, so I guess it's a good way to fill time.

 

[Deboog]

Don't get me wrong, I loved Legos as a kid. But unless every one of those kids plans on getting a degree in engineering, it's just a toy.

Then again, teachers would just put on movies when they were hungover or something, so I guess it's a good way to fill time.

I'm sure Minecraft is great for some students (like the kind that already enjoy Minecraft) but I think most kids would just see it as a dumb gimmick wasting their time.

 

[TempNintendo]

Cool post! i like minecraft!