Minecraft Education Edition with Eligibility Criteria and Features
Minecraft Education Edition is an interactive, classroom-specific teaching version of Minecraft.
In this version, teachers will be able to transform a favorite game into a practical learning experience, incorporating such subjects as coding, chemistry, history, and language arts. The Minecraft Education Edition includes special classroom features, such as non-player characters, safe multiplayer, and lesson plans that help make the gameplay an interactive learning experience.
Are you a teacher or a learner? In any case, this platform will provide you with exciting opportunities to build digital citizenship, critical thinking, and STEM skills.
What is Minecraft Education Edition?
Minecraft Education Edition is a formally authorized version of Minecraft, adapted for educational settings.
It features integrated lesson plans and teaching tools to meet curriculum goals and enhance classroom learning and has been available since November 2016. You can enable this version in your teaching practice. Unlike Java or Bedrock editions, it has features intended to help educators, such as Classroom Mode, camera tools, and developer support.
Minecraft Education Edition offers guided experiences that extend beyond standard Minecraft gameplay. Teachers can lead students through learning worlds, such as Chemistry World, to monitor progress and promote teamwork. These aspects facilitate the connection between game-based motivation and significant educational outcomes.
Minecraft Education Edition Features
The Minecraft Education Edition is based on regular Minecraft gameplay but with additional features tailored for a classroom setting. All the features promote creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking.
Chemistry Resource Pack
The Chemistry Resource Pack brings science experiments to Minecraft, allowing students to mix elements in a virtual lab environment. Players can form compounds such as water, salt, and carbon dioxide, which opens up learning opportunities in chemistry and STEM.
The pack also contains a digital copy of the periodic table, an element builder, a compound builder, and laboratory equipment such as beakers and lab tables. These virtual tools enable learners to experiment and observe reactions, learning more about chemical concepts in a safe virtual environment.
3D Exporting
Minecraft Education Edition enables users to export in-game items as 3D models, which can be utilized in educational software programs, 3D printing, or digital portfolios. This tool allows for cross-platform STEAM education, bridging virtual studies with practical applications.
Although Remix 3D is no longer available, the feature to visualize and present structures in other forms still benefits students in thinking creatively and becoming technologically literate.
Non Player Characters (NPCs)
The NPCs act as guides, trainers, or narrators in the game world. Teachers may include text chat, instructions, and web links, setting aside tasks, or offering additional learning resources.
NPCs reduce the need for teacher presence, allowing students to progress through instructions at their own pace and in an interactive manner.
Easy Classroom Collaboration
The Minecraft Education Edition enables real-time multiplayer collaboration in the classroom. The shared world will allow students to collaborate on the same project, construct, solve problems, and learn together. This aspect fosters communication, leadership, and learning in groups, which are essential skills for the 21st century.
With a straightforward interface, teachers can create multiplayer sessions and have students within the same network connect without issues. Group work in math, history, or science can be more interactive and fun, as it eliminates technical obstacles and helps students stay focused on the learning objectives.
Cameras, Portfolio, and Writable Books
The camera feature allows the students to capture a screenshot of their work in the game. The portfolio keeps a record of these images in a digital scrapbook manner to reflect the progress of learning and learning milestones.
Writable books provide a space where students can reflect on what they created, take notes, or complete an assignment in the Minecraft world. These tools can be used together to enhance documentation and support educators in assessing comprehension and creativity over time.
Lessons
The Minecraft Education Edition also features hundreds of in-built lessons on topics such as math, science, language arts, and history. These ready-made activities are standards-based and developed by teachers; therefore, they are of high quality and highly relevant.
Designed to guide a student through a historical simulation or coding adventure, these lessons provide structure without eliminating the opportunity for exploration. They can be differentiated and tailored to suit the classroom needs of the teachers.
Chalkboard
The Education Edition chalkboards are in-game signs that teachers can use to leave written instructions, learning objectives, or hints. They may be located anywhere in the globe and are available in three sizes, slate, poster, and board.
This characteristic minimizes the possibility of confusion and eases learners through strenuous activities. The students will be able to consult the chalkboards during the lesson, which makes the learning process more independent and natural.
Tutorial World
Have you never played Minecraft before or used it in the classroom by yourself? The feature of Tutorial World is imperative. It also features a tutorial that breaks down the process of mastering the fundamentals of mechanics, including moving and constructing, as well as tackling challenges for both students and teachers.
It is a world that enables even a novice to become conversant within a short time; therefore, the platform is friendly, regardless of whether a user has experience with gaming. It provides an excellent foundation for more complex educational pursuits.
Special Blocks
Minecraft Education Edition adds blocks not found in standard versions- including border blocks, allow/deny blocks, and structure blocks. These assist teachers in controlling access by students, safeguarding crucial builds, and regulating interaction with the environment.
For example, border blocks can confine students to a specific area, ensuring they remain focused on a task. These management instruments provide an extra layer of control in the classroom without disrupting creativity and immersion.
Classroom Mode
Classroom Mode is an accompanying application that allows teachers to observe and control their Minecraft world using a dashboard. Teachers have the option to view a live map, teleport students, freeze students, or establish day/night cycles- lesson control made easy.
This aid enables teachers to manage large classes, avoid chaos, and maintain control over activities. It saves the teacher’s stress and keeps the classroom experience smoother.
Additional Item Hotbar
The longer hotbar allows students to hold additional items in their hand – ideal when doing a complicated build or science experiment. This aspect simplifies the game and increases productivity in tasks that require various tools.
It also improves multitasking, allowing students to switch tasks without needing to take breaks to rearrange their inventory frequently.
Code Builder and the Agent
The Code Builder is one of the most influential features, as it enables students to understand coding by programming a virtual Agent. They may automate actions, resolve puzzles, or assemble buildings using genuine programming logic, utilizing sites such as MakeCode, Python, or Tynker.
It is an introduction to computational thinking, presented in a practical manner that reinforces STEM skills and prepares students to enter the workforce. It is both fulfilling and instructive to see the Agent execute a student’s code.
Secure Multiplayer
The Minecraft Education Edition provides a secure multiplayer experience. Only educators or approved peers can host games, meaning that students cannot join games with outsiders who might disrupt them or gain access to sensitive material.
This restricted access plays a crucial role in maintaining concentration and security for students in online classrooms, particularly in those with young children or in publicly funded schools.
Premium Support
High-quality support is available directly to schools and teachers from Microsoft. This includes technical support, training materials, and community support forums where educators exchange tips and share lesson ideas.
The assistance aids teachers in the successful implementation of the platform, making the transition to game-based learning much easier, even for those with little technological expertise.
Teacher Permissions
Only teachers can control the gaming skills of the students. They can freeze players, shut off chat, transport people, and edit inventory settings, all via an educator console.
These permissions enable instructors to exert complete control over the learning environment, thereby minimizing distractions that could divert learners’ attention, ensuring they remain focused on the task at hand.
Also read: Rare Materials in Minecraft
Eligibility Criteria for Minecraft Education Edition
To get access to the Minecraft Education Edition, one has to fit in a specific eligibility criterion regarding the organization affiliation:
1. Educational institutions: Accredited schools or districts must be organized for teaching and use domain-specific email addresses (e.g., school.edu).
2. Public libraries and museums: Accredited schools or districts must be structured to teach and use domain email addresses (e.g., school.edu).
3. Homeschool groups: Must be recognized by local districts or national homeschooling organizations and have it in writing that they are such.
Even if you are not a member of a qualified institution, a Commercial license is offered. This option allows camps, clubs, and homeschools to purchase access for approximately $ 12 per year. Qualified academic users are charged roughly $5.04 per user per year, with discounts available for bulk purchases.
Minimum Requirements for Minecraft Education Edition
1. Windows (10 or 11)
OS: Windows 10 version 1909 or higher
CPU: Intel Celeron N4000 / AMD A4-9120C or better
RAM: 4 GB
Storage: At least 2 GB of free space
GPU: Integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 4000 or newer)
DirectX: Version 11
2. macOS
OS: macOS 10.14 Mojave or later
CPU: Intel Core i3 or Apple M1/M2
RAM: 4 GB
Storage: At least 2 GB of free space
Graphics: Integrated or discrete GPU supported by macOS
3. iPad (iOS)
Device: iPad 5th generation or newer
OS: iPadOS 14.0 or later
Storage: At least 2 GB free
RAM: 2 GB or more
4. Chromebook
OS: Chrome OS (must support Android apps)
Processor: Intel Celeron N4000 or better
RAM: 4 GB minimum
Storage: 1-2 GB of free space
Google Play Store access is required
Which countries are eligible for Minecraft Education Version?
The Institute from following countries are allowed to use Minecraft Education Version.
Afghanistan
Algeria
Andorra
Angola
Anguilla
Antigua and Barbuda
Argentina
Australia
Austria
Bahamas
Bahrain
Bangladesh
Barbados
Belgium
Belize
Bermuda
Benin
Bhutan
Bolivia
Bonaire
Botswana
Brazil
Brunei
Bulgaria
Burundi
Cambodia
Cameroon
Canada
Cape Verde
Cayman Islands
Chile
Colombia
Comoros
Costa Rica
Côte d’Ivoire
Croatia
Curçao
Cyprus
Czechia
Denmark
Dominican Republic
Ecuador
Egypt
El Salvador
Estonia
Ethiopia
Faroe Islands
Fiji
Finland
France
French Guiana
French Polynesia
Germany
Ghana
Greece
Greenland
Guadeloupe
Guatemala
Honduras
Hong Kong
Hungary
Iceland
India
Indonesia
Israel
Iraq
Ireland
Italy
Jamaica
Japan
Jersey
Jordan
Kenya
Kuwait
Laos
Latvia
Lebanon
Libya
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Madagascar
Malawi
Malaysia
Maldives
Mali
Malta
Marshall Islands
Martinique
Mauritius
Mayotte
Mexico
Mongolia
Montenegro
Morocco
Mozambique
Myanmar
Namibia
Nepal
Netherlands
New Caledonia
New Zealand
Nicaragua
Nigeria
North Macedonia
Norway
Oman
Pakistan
Palestine
Panama
Papua New Guinea
Paraguay
Peru
Philippines
Poland
Portugal
Qatar
Réunion
Romania
Russia
Rwanda
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Saint Lucia
Saint Martin
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
San Marino
Saudi Arabia
Senegal
Serbia
Seychelles
Singapore
Sint Maarten
Slovakia
Slovenia
South Africa
Spain
Sri Lanka
Suriname
Sweden
Switzerland
Tanzania
Thailand
Timor-Leste
Togo
Tonga
Trinidad and Tobago
Tunisia
Türkiye
Turks and Caicos Islands
Uganda
Ukraine
United Arab Emirates
United Kingdom
United States
Uruguay
Vatican City
Vietnam
Virgin Islands of the United States
Zambia
Zimbabwe1
Final Thoughts
The Minecraft Education Edition fills the gap between playing and educating in a manner that is interesting, effective, and, most of all, educative. Whether it is chemistry lab or code building robots, this platform transforms a favorite game into an interactive lesson. Featuring safe multiplayer, progressive lessons, and controls that teachers love, you will be able to make learning unforgettable.
If you are an administrator looking to implement it or a teacher seeking engaging curriculum resources, Minecraft Education Edition is a wise investment in 21st-century teaching.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is Minecraft Education Edition different from regular Minecraft?
Unlike regular Minecraft, the Education Edition includes classroom tools, secure sign-ins, lesson plans, and features like the Classroom Mode and Code Builder to support learning objectives and collaboration.
Can you use Minecraft Education Edition without a school account?
No, Minecraft Education Edition requires a Microsoft 365 Education account with a valid license. Some homeschooling setups and educational programs may also qualify.
What devices support Minecraft Education Edition?
Minecraft Education Edition works on Windows 10/11, macOS, iPad, and Chromebooks that support Android apps via the Google Play Store.
Is Minecraft Education Edition free?
Minecraft Education Edition is not free, but Microsoft offers a free trial for eligible schools and educators. After that, it requires an annual subscription per user.
