Minecraft will launch an education edition of Minecraft By Leo Kelion Technology desk editor
19 January 2016
Microsoft will launch an "education version" Minecraft.
Teachers will find innovative ways to utilize this world-building game in a variety of subjects.
In 2014, Microsoft paid $2.5bn (PS1.8bn), for Mojang Minecraft, Minecraft's Swedish creator. In the last quarter of 2014 it purchased the four-year-old MinecraftEdu version of the game from Finnish independent developer TeacherGaming.
It is promising to add features now however schools may be faced with additional costs.
Yurock.Net
It is believed that Minecraft is used in more than 7,000 classrooms around the world.
"Teachers are using Minecraft to accomplish a variety of things, such as teaching science, math poetry, religion, and more," Anthony Salcito, Microsoft's vice-president of worldwide education said to the BBC.
"Once we make it easier for schools to access and use the tools, I believe you'll notice that the number of classrooms grows very quickly."
In-game camera
MinecraftEdu already lets teachers modify the content available in the game, and also access a shared library of education-themed assets.
Microsoft promises to enhance the user experience:
allowing characters created by the children to be able to maintain their character during sessions
letting pupils allow students to take "photos" of their progress via an in-game camera, and then store the images in an online book alongside their own notes. These can then act as a guide for other children or be used by teachers to score their progress
permitting children to download software that will allow them to play the educational version of Minecraft outside of school, without having to purchase their own copy of the game
Teachers and children must have their own Office 365 ID to access the service. This ID can also be used to get access to the cloud-based productivity software developed by Microsoft.
Microsoft says this will help teachers reduce the number of online accounts they have to manage.
It may also help the company promote its word processing, file sharing and email applications over other services such as Google and others.
Microsoft will charge a fee of $5 per year (PS3.50) per teacher and child.
This is likely to be more expensive than the current basic setup, which costs $14 plus $41 server software.
"We believe we are bringing added value," said Deirdre Quarnstrom, director of Minecraft education.
"In addition to having a permanent identity they will also be able to play the most up-to-date version of the game.
"MinecraftEdu was, as were other Minecraft mods. This was due to the nature of the development process.
"We are also replacing the requirement of schools to maintain separate servers hardware."
Virtual Shakespeare
The new features were welcomed by Leigh Wolmarans, the head teacher of Lings Primary School in Northampton.
His school utilizes MinecraftEdu to teach students about A Midsummer Night's Dream. He requested students to create a Shakespeare-inspired play within MinecraftEdu.
He said that other teachers should be aware of the limitations of the software.
"Technology can lead to extraordinary learning, but it needs to be used in conjunction with other tools" he said.
"If all you do is sit them down and leave them to experience Shakespeare through Minecraft, then you are doing something wrong."
"Dance, art , and drama are the best ways to teach children.
"But technology can be a part of the toolbox as an additional tool."
Microsoft has announced that it will allow teachers to "beta-test" Minecraft's education edition for free at some point during the summer months, prior to its official rollout.
Minecraft used to teach Chemistry
5 November 2015
The schools using Minecraft in the classroom.
20 June 2014
Minecraft
MinecraftEdu
Lings Primary School