Minecraft vs. Minecraft Education
Welcome to Minecraft, a world where blocks, creatures, and community meet to craft an experience limited only by your imagination. Whether you want to survive the night or to sculpt your next masterpiece, Minecraft offers a 3D block-based canvas for you to make your own.
A Game without boundaries
Minecraft is a sandbox game, which means it doesn't have a fixed endpoint. Players choose their own objectives, which can vary from building a basic dirt house to collaborating with your friends to replicate a whole country to scale.
For the creative players, an endless array of blocks awaits to bring your wildest architectural dreams to life. Adventurers can embark on thrilling expeditions-facing challenges and discovering the unknown.
In essence, Minecraft is more than just a game, it's a gateway to limitless creativity, exploration, and connection. To learn more about Minecraft, check out the official Guide to Minecraft.
What is Minecraft Education?
Minecraft Education is the educational version of the popular game Minecraft. It’s a learning tool that harnesses the power of digital game-based learning to promote creativity, collaboration, and problem solving in an immersive environment where the only limitation is your imagination.
A classroom-ready tool
Designed with educators in mind, Minecraft Education comes equipped with features that make it easy to integrate into your classroom:
- Pre-built lessons: Dive into over 600 standard-aligned lessons that cover a wide range of subjects. These lessons are designed to captivate students' interests across the curriculum. Educators also can contribute by writing and submitting their own Minecraft lessons.
- Cross-curricular support: Minecraft Education isn’t just engaging but a tool that helps you achieve learning outcomes across many subject areas. Through both its in-built game library and the suite of lessons found on the Minecraft Education website, this platform provides comprehensive learning that spans STEM, Coding, Social and Emotional Learning (SEL), History, Language Arts, and 21st Century Skills and more!
- Classroom management tools: In-game management tools and strategies are available for educators, offering controls and functionalities similar to what they have in the physical classroom.
- Classroom collaboration: The platform’s multiplayer functionality allows your students to easily work together which fosters collaboration, promotes teamwork and problem-solving skills through collective projects and activities.
- Community of support: There's a global community of Minecraft Education Ambassadors dedicated to using Minecraft as an educational tool. This network provides support and collaboration opportunities for you and educators worldwide. Right now, you can join the Minecraft Teacher's Lounge and engage in discussions about best practices for using this learning tool.
- Safety is key: The platform includes enhanced safety features such as student privacy settings, communication filters, secure sign in with school credentials, and organization-limited multiplayer, ensuring a safe learning environment. Be sure to check out and share our Parent's Guide to Minecraft Education.
“I realized that students who wouldn't necessarily have the loudest voice in my class had found their voice. It gave them power that they hadn't previously had, and it gave them a voice that was really important to them. I feel that is what Minecraft has delivered for my class. It has given everybody an equal voice.”
Colin Syron, Minecraft Educator