Minecraft for education

getting started with Minecraft in the classroom

What is ME?

Minecraft Education is an educational version of the popular game Minecraft

special blocks and a coding platform have been introduced to facilitate learning

Why use it in the classroom?

• Problem solving in a 3D environment
• Allow students to learn and explore in a virtual 3D world.
• Students can construct understanding literally with building tasks
• A community of teachers are already using ME, there's already a vast library of resources and lessons

Unique Behavioural challenges

Students:

• will know more about the base game than you
• have expectations about what Minecraft should involve
• are keen for multiplayer expereiences but expectations need to be managed well
• see digital social interaction differently to actual social interactions

Managing Expectations

• Be clear on what the purpose of using Minecraft is
• Set clear goals or expectations
• State the rules clearly
• Spend time learning how to manage student behaviour in Minecraft and ask for support
• Use your student's experience to help you

Some recommended rules

• No Griefing (See this link for description)
• No Profanity or obscenities (in chat or otherwise)
• No player-made servers, unless you are asked to
• Work towards your goal, don't let yourself be distracted
• Remember that you are still in a classroom! All the normal rules apply!

Existing Resources (The Library)

Minecraft Education comes with a Library of pre-made levels and experiences from other educators. These can be found and downloaded directly inside of minecraft in the Library.

Further to this there are lesson plans available on the Explore Lessons Online Website.

Creating your own resources

• One of the great benefits of Minecraft is the ability to create new experiences.
• Ideally do this in collaboration with your class
• Building is only one part of the process, there's also scope to create characters and challenges.
• Good levels allow some freedom of movement and choice but provide students with story and intrigue.

An example from CS

• In year 7, Computer Science students work in a world consisting of 10 challenges
• Students must program an Agent to complete challenges for them
• Initially students must follow the structure, but tasks become more open ended as they go on.

Minecraft Training from Microsoft

• Microsoft Learn Lessons
• Block Coding with Minecraft
• Minecraft Student Ambassador Program