How Minecraft Education Edition is changing the learning scene globally
The pandemic has changed how the world functions across various areas and also education. The global education industry underwent significant changes and discovered solutions which enabled innovative, more engaging methods of learning. One such platform which enabled this change was Minecraft’s Education Version. Taking advantage of the development achieved in the technology sector, Minecraft combined gaming and learning to a degree which made academics fun without compromising on learning. Justin Edwards, the Director of Learning Programs for Minecraft, suggests, “Computer games have changed how we learn. The truth is that computer games are fulfilling genuine human needs in a way that the current real world is unable to do. This was the case before the pandemic and it has been accelerated by the pandemic. Computer games have changed how we come together, interact and learn, and how we are inspired. This is an uncomfortable fact for many, who can either embrace it and shape learning through games or ignore it and suffer the consequences of the opportunity lost.”
We all know that game-based learning has helped the the education sector evolve in more ways than one. This is what is reiterated by Edwards, “Imagine a world where work was fun and deep learning was best achieved through play. Imagine a world where students could not wait to engage in learning and became deeply engrossed in the content they were learning. Imagine if this learning appealed to students of all ability ranges, of all background and made accessibility for those with disabilities easier. As we have experienced with Minecraft: Education Edition, computer games are changing this vision of learning into reality. Game based learning is quantifiably more immersive, learners spend more time involved in serious content, they retain more knowledge about a subject afterwards, it is increasing participation from underrepresented groups including those with disabilities, and it is enjoyable. The single remaining challenge we face is how best to deploy such learning into schools and overcoming this challenge to bring benefits to all students,” he adds.
In its aim to encourage students all over the world to use the platform for expressing themselves through creativity, Minecraft organised the Minecraft Education Global Build Championship 2021 in partnership with UNESCO with the theme: Peace with Nature. In this programme, students from 109 countries participated to work in teams and develop creative environmental solutions related to the topics of sustainable communities, biodiversity, energy generation, transportation, food production, coral protection, among others. Allen D. Nease High School, United States, was announced as the winner of this competition, with its impressive development of collaborative, sustainable society. Miriam College, Philippines received the runner up prize for its unique coral-based society, the “Coralisseum.”
Here are some of the ways that schools from around the world have benefitted from the diverse use of Minecraft Education Edition.
Creating sustainable cities in Canada
In order to educate children about the positive impacts of a more carbon-neutral lifestyle, Minecraft came up with lessons in its new world called “Sustainability City.” Lessons about sustainable development were conducted for students from various schools across Canada. Young creators then had to come up with sustainable solutions related to the development of this conceptual city. These included ideas which supported sustainable food production, outflow order, environment-friendly and carbon neutral initiatives, alternative energy, sustainable homes, etc.
Helping students hone their SEL skills in India
SEL, which is an acronym for Social and Emotional Learning, is a term which is being used a lot during the pandemic. Very often, this life skill is overlooked and dominated by other more academic-related aspects of learning. In order to strike a balance with this, Vikas Bharati School from India incorporated SEL aspects in learning through the use of Minecraft’s Hour of Code. Here, fundamental coding concepts are used to bring together two villages through cooperation, communication, empathy and inclusion. This is an excellent example showcasing how Minecraft helps students develop life skills while also developing other technical skills like coding.
Developing online safety awareness in Croatia
Minecraft has undertaken initiatives in Croatia which create awareness around online safety, etiquette, cyberbullying and digital citizenship among students. Their “Internet Safety World” project challenged students with various activities and tested their knowledge through a series of questions integrated in the game itself about how to protect identity online. This was an immersive experience for students, and gave educators an opportunity to promote education online safety in a fun way.
Making education accessible in the United States
A teacher from Katy Independent School District in Texas shared her experience of using Minecraft to teach a class of special education students. This class has a separate modified curriculum, and many special students find it challenging to maintain their attention throughout the lesson. However, Minecraft changed this completely with its engaging and fun format. The students were able to collaborate effectively to build models of DNA using the platform’s unique tools.
Sparking creativity in Malaysia
Minecraft held its 2nd Minecraft: Education Edition Competition in Malaysia which invited budding engineers, architects, artists and scientists to come together and translate their creativity onto the platform. Championing inclusivity yet again, Minecraft provided an opportunity to anyone with a computer and an internet connection to build a railway station, an elaborate museum, schools and hospitals, wherever their creativity went.
Learning Python with Minecraft in Turkey
In Turkey, schools have been teaching highly technical programming languages like Python with ease. The platform provides 10 lessons specific to Python named Python 101. By navigating through the exciting world of Minecraft, students were able to learn syntax, variables, loops and decision control structures. The teamwork feature allowed students to help and assist each other in these lessons. After the completion of the 10 lessons, they were able to accomplish different coding tasks which included time-travelling through different time periods of humanity and ending up on floating islands in space.
Minecraft Education Edition has certainly created a global language for learning and teaching alike. It proves that learning does not have to be restricted to academics. Instead, the game-based platform can be used innovatively as a tool to enhance life skills and shine a light on pressing world issues as well.
Click here to know more about Minecraft: Education Edition
Click here to know more about the 2021 Global Build Challenge Winners