First steps with Minecraft Education Edition

Almost all children are enthusiastic about Minecraft because it is simply fun. This is how we harness passion and motivation.

In the Junior Coding Club we use the Minecraft Education Edition designed for schools. This differs from the normal consumer version (Bedrock and Java version). We use a shared virtual workspace or classroom, and the teacher has classroom management tools at his or her disposal to guide a group virtually in the Minecraft world. 

Another key feature of the education version is the interface to MakeCode or Python Code Builder. This allows children to try out code they have written themselves in Minecraft. MakeCode is very similar to the code building blocks of Scratch (https://scratch.mit.edu) and the same programming methods and principles apply.

Each pupil receives his or her personal “virtual” robot in Minecraft and can programme it from there. This is a very good way to simulate robotics projects.

In a shared Minecraft world (multiplayer), social interaction teaches teamwork, collaboration and human values.  It’s like a school playground, but virtual.

In solo player mode, however, there are not these many points of contact. Instead, concentrated work to deepen the knowledge prevails here.

Installation

Download Minecraft Education Edition and install the software by running the downloaded file. The file is an installation package.

You can find the download here: https://education.minecraft.net/get-started/download

On the iPad, you can install the app “Minecraft Education Edition” free of charge via the App Store. The installation happens automatically. If you can’t find it, use the download link at the top of the browser on your iPad.

If Minecraft is used on a laptop, your child will need an additional mouse to operate it.

The strength of Minecraft Education Edition is the educational content such as elaborately created worlds and lessons on many topics and school subjects. To ensure that this content is always up-to-date, the software requires a constant connection to the Internet. In the networks of households and schools, these necessary connections sometimes have to be configured and enabled. You can check whether the software can establish the necessary connections when you start the game for the first time.

Perform a test login in your child’s Minecraft Education Edition account (Coding Club school account). After you have successfully reached the start screen of Minecraft, first test whether your internet connection in the home network is working and Minecraft can access the servers to load and share content: To do this, click on “Play” => then “View Library” => “Lessons” => “Computer Science” => “Hour of Code”.

When the content is loaded, you are ready to go! If you get an error message, please email support@codingclub.cc for help.

Minecraft unfortunately has connection problems now from time to time in multiplayer. In this case, you need to enable a port (TCP/UDP 19132) on your home router. If you can do this, so much the better. We are also happy to help you on the phone to make this setting at home.

Parents entering a Minecraft world for the first time quickly notice that there is no tutorial to get them started. However, there are a few hands-on tutorials in the programme’s library (Play -> Library -> Beginner). The learning curve can be relatively high, depending on your experience with computer games. How do the controls work? How do you craft? And what do the children actually do with it in class? Education.minecraft.net helps you get started. There you will find ready-made worlds to download, teaching ideas, a support area and more. The official Twitter account is @PlayCraftLearn and most often the hashtag #MinecraftEdu is used. Here’s how you could go about it:
  1. Let your child show you the game. Coding Club learners quickly master the controls, know how to craft and know the difference between Survival and Creative modes. As an alternative, you can also play the tutorial world.
  2. Play by yourself! Try to survive the first night in Survival mode.
  3. We are all learners and sometimes your child can be a teacher too. A reason to be proud of your child. 🙂
The official website shows many teaching examples and if you search on Youtube you will notice: there is no typical Minecraft lesson, the game is used in different subjects and classes. Of course, there are obvious topics, such as area calculations, cubes and cuboids in geometry. But Minecraft unfolds its potential in open tasks. The teacher structures and plans the lesson, sets goals and assignments. However, we should also live the Minecraft motto “No one can tell you what you can or cannot do” to some extent in school. By engaging with the ideas of the learners. In this way, surprising Minecraft buildings can emerge.

This is how we work with Minecraft Education in the classroom:

  • We start with a lesson and a building. For beginners, it is better to start in Creative mode.
  • We think about a project. This results in assignments, which we discuss before the learners have started the game (during the building phase, interruptions are disturbing).
  • Now from time to time, a time limit is set. A timer is set up in the classroom so that the learners can keep track of the time. For the assignments, 20 minutes is usually enough once everyone has mastered the basic controls.
  • After the construction phase, group by group, the results are briefly presented.
  • Documentation is possible in the game with the objects camera and portfolio. With these, buildings can be photographed and exported as an image. In the beginning, one can also simply photograph the computer screen with the smartphone or take a screenshot.

Some ideas for first open assignments (by the way, it’s also fun to do online from home together with other Coding Club members):

  • Weekly review: Build something to go with a positive school experience in the past school week.
  • That’s me: In Creative mode, you are a kind of omnipotent ruler over your Minecraft world. Choose a world with a village and build a statue in front of the village to represent you. 
  • Childhood memory: Build a childhood memory. This can be your house, your room, an object, a special place or an experience.
  • Get to know the multiplayer mode: Choose a world with a village. Build a village entrance (gate, city wall, road…).
  • Landmark (also works in multiplayer mode): Build a landmark from your surroundings.

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