The computer game Minecraft is known and loved all around the world.
While it initially began as a game for building using a variety of 3D blocks, its acquisition by Microsoft alongside the 2016 launch of the Minecraft Education Edition has seen it become something of a classroom staple. It might be surprising that whilst it was once one for the filtering list, it is now used in schools to teach logic, problem-solving, geometry, history and, most recently, coding. Minecraft for Education is now considered a great teaching tool.
Minecraft’s Code Builder launched in 2017 and teaches students to create using blocks of code or JavaScript.
While children’s computer games and developments in their education rarely go hand in hand, the notion that Minecraft serves little purpose other than to distract students from their education is changing. Using Minecraft is now a reputable and established way to teach programming and computer coding to students all around the world.
Coding with Minecraft Doesn’t Feel Like Learning
It’s not just the adults who think of Minecraft as a game, the students do too! Allowing your students to spend an hour or two playing computer games instead of sitting in class is bound to go down well. If they think they’re playing a computer game with learning simply an added bonus, your students will stay engaged and focused for longer.
There’s a Range of Online Resources for Minecraft
With so many educators using Minecraft, there’s now a huge range of advice, lesson plans and other resources available online. Providers like CodaKid, CodeKingdoms, and LearnToMod offer Minecraft coding courses that help both students and their teachers. Code.org have also partnered with Microsoft to create the Minecraft Hour of Code. This tutorial allows beginner coders to share their own Minecraft game and inspire others.
It’s Packed Full of Features for Educators
The Minecraft Education Edition has a range of classroom-friendly features to help educators and their students get the most from the game. With tutorials for teachers, classroom management tools and a range of sample lessons, Minecraft is as teacher-friendly as it is student-friendly! If you get a little stuck, there’s tech support on hand to give you the help you need.
There’s also a range of forums and a wealth of online advice for teachers who are looking to bring Minecraft to the classroom, and tutorials are available to help children as young as 6 get a head start when it comes to IT.
Minecraft Appeals to Both Boys and Girls
Unlike many popular computer games, Minecraft appeals to both boys and girls thanks to the range of skills that it teaches, including creativity, problem solving, collaboration and maths.
This gender-neutral nature of Minecraft is essential when it comes to getting more people involved in coding and programming. While computer programming and IT have previously been seen as male-dominated industries, games like Minecraft are encouraging girls to get into IT early and look set to help address the imbalance within the industry.
Fun, Creative and Collaborative – with Immediate Results
While coding is often thought of as an isolated activity, the Minecraft Education Edition allows students to collaborate with their classmates on certain projects. Group projects are regularly used to encourage students to work together and listen to each other, and Minecraft offers a modern and fun take on this.
Coding with Minecraft also provides immediate results, which can help keep students engaged. Users can create literally anything they imagine and start using their creations straight away. They can bring their imagination to life with Minecraft – seamlessly combining the creative with the technical to help them develop a well-rounded skill set.
For any more information on how Minecraft could be an asset to your teaching in the classroom, please get in touch for consultancy or demonstration services.
