‘Minecraft: Education Edition:’ Multiplayer Extended Up To 40; Teaches Math, History, Science
Microsoft announced a revamped "Minecraft" with its upcoming Education edition.
The Redmond tech giant has partnered with TeacherGaming LLC to develop the game. "Minecraft: Education Edition" aims to create a classroom like setup that brings up to 40 players together through its extended multiplayer mode.
"There has to be a purpose for using technology. "Minecraft" is an open platform and gives teachers a significant variety and focus in what they are trying to achieve," Anthony Salicto, VP of worldwide education at Microsoft said at BETT technology in education trade show, as shared by The Register UK .
"You've got to think of Minecraft and all technology as a tool. The question we have to ask is what are we trying to achieve. We hope to bottle the enthusiasm of Minecraft."
Also, the new edition develops an interaction between student and teacher as they work together on the "Minecraft" world. They can both "explore, fight monsters and build surprisingly complex structures - even electrical circuits - out of blocks," Daily Mail UK reported.
Some of the game's features can be used to teach Math, History as they explore the ancient temple and Science.
"Lessons include "Redstone Lodge," a "Minecraft: Education Edition" mod, which gives the full range of electrical engineering principles, logic gates, and even music composition within Minecraft" and the bomb-shelter building mod "Anderson Shelters," which promises to teach both World War II history and physics," Extreme Tech noted.
Educator Online added that teachers may also customize projects, track students' progress and save their creations on the said edition.
As for its price, unlike "MinecraftEdu's" one-time fee based on number of students using the game, "Minecraft: Education Edition" will charge $5 each students per year.
On the other hand, those who previously purchased "MinecraftEdu" can use "Minecraft: Eucation Edition" for free within one year.
"Minecraft: Education Edition" will be released for a free trial by mid-2016.