What is it?
MinecraftEdu is a modified version of Minecraft by Mojang. What is Minecraft, you ask? Check out the video below for a brief introduction to the game itself.
Minecraft Trailer from Vareide on YouTube.
Key Understandings about Minecraft:
MinecraftEdu, developed by Teacher Gaming, is a modified version of the original Minecraft game and is supported by Mojang.
Here is a brief overview of the game and the rationale for its development:
- Open world, sandbox game.
- Offers large amount of freedom and has no set goals.
- Core of game revolves around breaking, collecting and placing blocks.
- Available on a variety of gaming hardware platforms.
- Over 50 million copies have been sold across all platforms.
MinecraftEdu, developed by Teacher Gaming, is a modified version of the original Minecraft game and is supported by Mojang.
Here is a brief overview of the game and the rationale for its development:
Key Understandings about MinecraftEdu:
- Modified version of Minecraft.
- Designed specifically for use in schools.
- Provided teacher tools that help focus the game play.
- Adaptable to different curricular subjects.
- Easy to Use (once familiar with the process).
- Gameplay is familiar to students - spend less time teaching the tool.
Points to Ponder:
Before moving to the next section, stop and think about the possible uses of MinecraftEdu in a classroom. Reflect upon the information provided above and try to imaging MinecraftEdu being used in your school. Below you will find some guiding questions, if you're feeling stuck:
Before moving to the next section, stop and think about the possible uses of MinecraftEdu in a classroom. Reflect upon the information provided above and try to imaging MinecraftEdu being used in your school. Below you will find some guiding questions, if you're feeling stuck:
- What subject area is the most natural fit for Minecraft?
- What benefits do you think a game like MinecraftEdu brings to your classroom?
- What are some possible roadblocks to the successful use of MinecraftEdu?
Why would i use it?
Below you will find two short videos outlining possible uses of MinecraftEdu in the classroom:
Key Understandings About The Use of MinecraftEdu:
Points to Ponder:
We will return now to our original guiding questions. Take some time to think on them again. Have your answers changed?
- Open, sandbox world that can be adapted to any curriculum.
- Appeals with a wide range of ages and abilities.
- Promotes a collaborative environment with student leadership opportunities.
- Teacher Tools allow for varying levels of structure.
- High level of engagement from students.
- Authentic digital citizenship opportunities.
Points to Ponder:
We will return now to our original guiding questions. Take some time to think on them again. Have your answers changed?
- What subject area is the most natural fit for Minecraft?
- What benefits do you think a game like MinecraftEdu brings to your classroom?
- What are some possible roadblocks to the successful use of MinecraftEdu?
How do i use it?
There are three main things you need to know in order to successfully use MinecraftEdu in your classroom.
First, you need a basic understanding of how to play the game itself. This is vital so you can support your students if they get stuck AND so you can begin to understand possible curricular connections or lesson ideas. You do not need to be an expert, however, as you can likely rely on one (or more) students who will assume leadership based on their knowledge of the game.
Second, you need to know how to launch a MinecraftEdu Server. A server is needed so you can control and modify the game world as well as supervise and control student actions.
Finally, you need to have an understanding of the unique features of MinecraftEdu so you can smoothly and successfully incorporate this game into your task design.
How To Play The Game:
There is a lot to learn in regards to Minecraft gameplay and you can spend a long time developing an understanding of all of the nuances and features within the game.
Below you will find an extremely useful playlist*, entitled Minecraft Tutorials: How to Survive and Thrive, created by Paul Soares Jr. In this series, Paul begins by walking new players through basic features and gameplay and, as the series progresses, introduces increasingly complex ideas and skills.
*To access other videos in the playlist, you can use the drop down navigation located in the top right corner of the video player.
First, you need a basic understanding of how to play the game itself. This is vital so you can support your students if they get stuck AND so you can begin to understand possible curricular connections or lesson ideas. You do not need to be an expert, however, as you can likely rely on one (or more) students who will assume leadership based on their knowledge of the game.
Second, you need to know how to launch a MinecraftEdu Server. A server is needed so you can control and modify the game world as well as supervise and control student actions.
Finally, you need to have an understanding of the unique features of MinecraftEdu so you can smoothly and successfully incorporate this game into your task design.
How To Play The Game:
There is a lot to learn in regards to Minecraft gameplay and you can spend a long time developing an understanding of all of the nuances and features within the game.
Below you will find an extremely useful playlist*, entitled Minecraft Tutorials: How to Survive and Thrive, created by Paul Soares Jr. In this series, Paul begins by walking new players through basic features and gameplay and, as the series progresses, introduces increasingly complex ideas and skills.
*To access other videos in the playlist, you can use the drop down navigation located in the top right corner of the video player.
How To Launch a MinecraftEdu Server:
In order to guide you through this process, please click on the image below (or use the attached file) to be taken to an Instructable that will lead you, step by step, through the process of launching a server.
In order to guide you through this process, please click on the image below (or use the attached file) to be taken to an Instructable that will lead you, step by step, through the process of launching a server.
starting-a-minecraftedu-server.pdf | |
File Size: | 2587 kb |
File Type: |
Understanding The Unique Features of MinecraftEdu:
MinecraftEdu, as previously mentioned, includes several features that are unique to this version of the game. From the teacher being provided with detailed world and player controls to unique building blocks, it is important that you develop an understanding of these tools.
Below you will find another YouTube playlist, this time created by Joel Levin (aka MinecraftTeachr), that outlines each of the unique features of MinecraftEdu.
Note: Joel is using an older version of MinecraftEdu and some visual elements may be different from your version. Much of the content is the same and this series is still highly informative.
MinecraftEdu, as previously mentioned, includes several features that are unique to this version of the game. From the teacher being provided with detailed world and player controls to unique building blocks, it is important that you develop an understanding of these tools.
Below you will find another YouTube playlist, this time created by Joel Levin (aka MinecraftTeachr), that outlines each of the unique features of MinecraftEdu.
Note: Joel is using an older version of MinecraftEdu and some visual elements may be different from your version. Much of the content is the same and this series is still highly informative.
Using MinecraftEdu from MinecraftTeachr on YouTube
Points to Ponder:
You have learned about the what, why and how of MinecraftEdu. Please, again, take the time to think about the following questions:
You have learned about the what, why and how of MinecraftEdu. Please, again, take the time to think about the following questions:
- What subject area is the most natural fit for Minecraft?
- What benefits do you think a game like MinecraftEdu brings to your classroom?
- What are some possible roadblocks to the successful use of MinecraftEdu.
PROJECT IDEAS
There are far too many task and lesson ideas that involve MinecraftEdu to possibly list them all. Instead, here is a list of resources that you can review in order to get an idea of how others are using this software.
Lesson Ideas:
MinecraftEdu World Library
MinecraftEdu Wiki - Real-World Examples
MinecraftEdu Wiki - Lessons and Activities
Blog Posts:
MinecraftEdu Elfie
CBE 182 - Day 11 - MinecraftEdu
Lesson Ideas:
MinecraftEdu World Library
MinecraftEdu Wiki - Real-World Examples
MinecraftEdu Wiki - Lessons and Activities
Blog Posts:
MinecraftEdu Elfie
CBE 182 - Day 11 - MinecraftEdu