Minecraft provides a creative online video game learning environment that can be leveraged to supplement learning for the development, support, and advancement of academic skills. Multiple versions of Minecraft are available for varied platforms and devices, dependent on user goals and version accessibility. Minecraft: Education Edition is the version of the game specifically designed for student use, and has added capabilities, such as subject-specific lessons, in-game student communication and management functions, and others. Minecraft: Education Edition supports 20 languages and is used in over 115 countries.
Through Minecraft’s online video game platform, teachers can introduce game-based learning into the classroom. Essential Minecraft activities include using bricks to build digital worlds, protecting one’s avatar and the buildings from monsters, and hunting for food to survive. The game’s open-ended, no central topic environment makes it applicable to a wide range of learning content. As part of a course’s curriculum, Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics (STEAM) tasks and activities can be introduced, enhanced, or reviewed in Minecraft. Minecraft’s game based environment will make problem-based learning (PBL) a part of every teacher-designed assignment. Students can perform assignments both individually and in groups. Various instructional examples of Minecraft include:
Reading and Writing: Descriptions can be added to blocks, so that students find the correct blocks and read the descriptions as a part of the game. Students can reflect on any game activity and share the writings with their classmates for discussion.
World Languages: Students can be asked to name and add descriptions to the blocks in a different language.
Math and Physics: The building blocks are about one square meter in volume, and students can build scale copies of buildings. Activities can help students to learn the basic mathematical and physical concepts, such as scale, volume, distance, and speed.
Programming: Minecraft: Raspberry Pi Edition can be used for students to learn programming.
Art: Students can create “pixel art” and re-create the existing artwork in 3D.
Minecraft: Education Edition has special features that aim to adjust the game to fit classroom needs, which include in-game coding, virtual chalkboards to communicate assignments to students, formative assessment tools (such as portfolios), single and multiplayer modes, and others. Classroom mode displays a map of the virtual world and provides an interface to communicate with students. Teachers can create non-playable characters to guide students from one task to another within an assignment to keep students focused or move a student avatar on the map to bring the distracted students on track. Minecraft: Education Edition provides access to tutorials and lessons to familiarize teachers with the game environment and assist them in integrating the game in the curriculum and aligning the in-game assignments with the existing learning objectives.
Minecraft is available on a variety of computer platforms, including smartphones. Microsoft’s Immersive Reader tool is integrated directly into the Minecraft game environment. Minecraft: Education Edition is included in some Microsoft 365 education subscription packages, but also available to purchase.
Minecraft shares privacy policies with other Microsoft’s computer applications. Microsoft has a strong commitment to users, and specifically teacher and student privacy. In the Online Services Terms Data Protection Addendum (DPA), Microsoft agrees to be designated as a “school official” with “legitimate educational interests” in customer data as defined under FERPA. Additional information on privacy in the Microsoft 365 tools can be found here.