Minecraft: Education Edition

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  • 23 minutes 12 seconds
    Bees! | Bee Girl Organization's Sarah Red-Laird

    I love that you can open up Minecraft Education Edition, ask yourself “What do I want to learn today?” and find something. This is just another way that the power of Minecraft and what’s been built to support Education Edition shines. When you take the best selling game ever, engage passionate people to create amazing content, and then put that content in the hands of students, you have  - in my opinion - the most powerful tool for teaching and learning that exists. I didn’t know what to expect when I spoke to Sarah Red-Laird from Bee Girl. The bee content in the game is great, but as you’ll hear, Bee Girl took it and turned it into something with meaningful learning experiences for every student.


    Bee Girl Organization: https://www.beegirl.org/



    Join the Minecraft Education Challenge! This virtual build challenge invites students around the world to learn about issues related to sustainability and inclusion, then design solutions with Minecraft: Education Edition.

    Create your own prompt that invites students to address a local issue impacting your school, community or region. This could be something like designing a more accessible version of your classroom in Minecraft. Think about people with different learning styles and disabilities, so the space is a safe and inspiring environment for everyone to be healthy. 

    Or build a more sustainable version of your school in Minecraft. Consider a holistic definition of sustainability, which may involve rethinking energy systems, recycling, transportation, and how nature plays a role.

    Share progress and stories of your Challenge experience via Twitter and Facebook, and tag us using our Twitter handle @PlayCraftLearn and the hashtag #MinecraftChallenge, and then post your results on the Minecraft Challenge Flipgrid page.


    There is, within Minecraft, an incredible opportunity to build an immersive world and bring it to life with animals, plants and trees and even NPC’s with diologue. I would challenge every educator out there to think big. Imagine the worlds you would want to build for your students, and then go and do it. I have little doubt Minecraft will help your vision come alive.

    11 August 2020, 5:19 pm
  • 35 minutes 20 seconds
    Minecraft and Esports | Liminal's Carrie Linden & Will Partin and Stephen Reid

    On today’s show… Esports is exploding in popularity all over the world. We’re going to talk about how educators are using esports to engage students and how you can use Minecraft Education Edition to do that. Two groups playing a big part in how the future of academic esports unfolds are Liminal Esports, and Stephen Reid and Immersive Minds. I spoke to them both about their work in academic esports.



    Join the Minecraft Education Challenge! This virtual build challenge invites students around the world to learn about issues related to sustainability and inclusion, then design solutions with Minecraft: Education Edition.

    Create your own prompt that invites students to address a local issue impacting your school, community or region. This could be something like designing a more accessible version of your classroom in Minecraft. Think about people with different learning styles and disabilities, so the space is a safe and inspiring environment for everyone to be healthy. 

    Or build a more sustainable version of your school in Minecraft. Consider a holistic definition of sustainability, which may involve rethinking energy systems, recycling, transportation, and how nature plays a role.

    Share progress and stories of your Challenge experience via Twitter and Facebook, and tag us using our Twitter handle @PlayCraftLearn and the hashtag #MinecraftChallenge, and then post your results on the Minecraft Challenge Flipgrid page.

    24 July 2020, 5:31 pm
  • 22 minutes 48 seconds
    Writers of Worlds | National Writing Project's Christina Cantrill & Jo Dillon

    On today’s show… There is, within Minecraft, an incredible opportunity to build an immersive world and bring it to life with animals, plants and trees and even NPC’s with dialogue. I would challenge every educator out there to think big. Imagine the worlds you would want to build for your students, and then go and do it. I have little doubt Minecraft will help your vision come alive.


    National Writing Project Website: https://www.nwp.org/





    Join the Minecraft Education Challenge! This virtual build challenge invites students around the world to learn about issues related to sustainability and inclusion, then design solutions with Minecraft: Education Edition.

    Create your own prompt that invites students to address a local issue impacting your school, community or region. This could be something like designing a more accessible version of your classroom in Minecraft. Think about people with different learning styles and disabilities, so the space is a safe and inspiring environment for everyone to be healthy. 

    Or build a more sustainable version of your school in Minecraft. Consider a holistic definition of sustainability, which may involve rethinking energy systems, recycling, transportation, and how nature plays a role.

    Share progress and stories of your Challenge experience via Twitter and Facebook, and tag us using our Twitter handle @PlayCraftLearn and the hashtag #MinecraftChallenge, and then post your results on the Minecraft Challenge Flipgrid page.


    There is, within Minecraft, an incredible opportunity to build an immersive world and bring it to life with animals, plants and trees and even NPC’s with diologue. I would challenge every educator out there to think big. Imagine the worlds you would want to build for your students, and then go and do it. I have little doubt Minecraft will help your vision come alive.

    10 July 2020, 4:37 pm
  • 22 minutes 16 seconds
    Custom Content Creation | Whetu Paitai

    On today’s show… I spoke to Whetu Paitai about his beautiful Nga Motu world. We talked about world building in Minecraft and how an immersive world can be used as a powerful tool for students to make connections to their culture and history.


    Wheti Paitai

    Twitter: https://twitter.com/whetupaitai


    • The Custom Content Creation Kit is designed to provide instructional designers and curriculum directors with a framework to design and plan customized instruction with Minecraft: Education Edition. It includes best practices for developing custom Minecraft curriculum, information about recommended Minecraft build partners, lesson templates, rubrics and other supporting materials for getting the job done. https://aka.ms/meecustomcontent


    Join the Minecraft Education Challenge! This virtual build challenge invites students around the world to learn about issues related to sustainability and inclusion, then design solutions with Minecraft: Education Edition.

    Create your own prompt that invites students to address a local issue impacting your school, community or region. This could be something like designing a more accessible version of your classroom in Minecraft. Think about people with different learning styles and disabilities, so the space is a safe and inspiring environment for everyone to be healthy. 

    Or build a more sustainable version of your school in Minecraft. Consider a holistic definition of sustainability, which may involve rethinking energy systems, recycling, transportation, and how nature plays a role.

    Share progress and stories of your Challenge experience via Twitter and Facebook, and tag us using our Twitter handle @PlayCraftLearn and the hashtag #MinecraftChallenge, and then post your results on the Minecraft Challenge Flipgrid page.

    2 July 2020, 3:45 am
  • 17 minutes 59 seconds
    Making The Case | Merry Hofmeister

    On today’s show… We can talk about engagement, and how much, quote - unquote “fun” our students are having all day, but in the end we need to be able to tie using Minecraft to achievement and demonstrating results. We need to make the case. This episode, we’ll talk to Merry Hofmeister about how her district made the decision to use Minecraft, how they brought it on board, and how it was received.


    Merry Hofmeister

    Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheMerryHof


    • Educators around the world use Minecraft: Education Edition to engage students across subjects. Learn how Minecraft ignites learning in K-12 and higher education. https://education.minecraft.net/impact/


    Join the Minecraft Education Challenge! This virtual build challenge invites students around the world to learn about issues related to sustainability and inclusion, then design solutions with Minecraft: Education Edition.

    Create your own prompt that invites students to address a local issue impacting your school, community or region. This could be something like designing a more accessible version of your classroom in Minecraft. Think about people with different learning styles and disabilities, so the space is a safe and inspiring environment for everyone to be healthy. 

    Or build a more sustainable version of your school in Minecraft. Consider a holistic definition of sustainability, which may involve rethinking energy systems, recycling, transportation, and how nature plays a role.

    Share progress and stories of your Challenge experience via Twitter and Facebook, and tag us using our Twitter handle @PlayCraftLearn and the hashtag #MinecraftChallenge, and then post your results on the Minecraft Challenge Flipgrid page.

    22 June 2020, 1:52 am
  • 38 minutes 27 seconds
    Language Learning with Minecraft | Glen Irvin

    On today’s show… Minecraft is a powerful tool for learning, and language learning is where that power really shines. We’re going to talk about how Minecraft can be used to help you deliver amazing language learning lessons.  You can build a world, craft a story and then live in that world while you learn. We’re not just talking English either. We’ll talk to Glen Irvin this week about how he used Minecraft in his Spanish language classes to provide that same deep, meaningful experience.


    Glen Irvin

    Twitter: https://twitter.com/irvspanish


    • NPCs are humanoid characters in Minecraft that can be used to provide ambiance, fun interactions and communications related to lessons, directions or dialogue. To create NPCs, open your inventory (type E) and add a Spawn Egg to your inventory. Place the Spawn Egg to create an NPC. To program an NPC, right click the NPC to bring up the customize screen. In this screen, you can change the name, displayed text and skin. You can add URLs and special commands in Advanced Settings. World Builders can re-access this menu repeatedly to edit it. The name of the NPC will remain visible from a distance, even through walls. When an Operator or non-World Builder right clicks on an NPC, they will see the displayed text. For more information visit our Minecraft: Education Edition knowledge base.
    • Using Minecraft in ESL with young learners: https://education.minecraft.net/blog/using-minecraft-in-esl-with-young-learners
    • Minecraft: Education Edition for English Language Learners: https://education.minecraft.net/blog/minecraft-education-edition-for-english-language-learners


    Join the Minecraft Education Challenge! This virtual build challenge invites students around the world to learn about issues related to sustainability and inclusion, then design solutions with Minecraft: Education Edition.

    Create your own prompt that invites students to address a local issue impacting your school, community or region. This could be something like designing a more accessible version of your classroom in Minecraft. Think about people with different learning styles and disabilities, so the space is a safe and inspiring environment for everyone to be healthy. 

    Or build a more sustainable version of your school in Minecraft. Consider a holistic definition of sustainability, which may involve rethinking energy systems, recycling, transportation, and how nature plays a role.

    Share progress and stories of your Challenge experience via Twitter and Facebook, and tag us using our Twitter handle @PlayCraftLearn and the hashtag #MinecraftChallenge, and then post your results on the Minecraft Challenge Flipgrid page.

    13 June 2020, 8:10 pm
  • 19 minutes 59 seconds
    Dive Into Coding | Steve Isaacs

    On today’s show… We know Minecraft can be used for building, and you’ve heard on previous episodes about how educators are using it to help students make connections around the world. We’ve talked about building great lessons too. Did you know you can also code with Minecraft?! We’ll be talking to Steve Isaacs about that and more.


    Steve Isaacs

    Twitter: https://twitter.com/mr_isaacs




    Join the Minecraft Education Challenge! This virtual build challenge invites students around the world to learn about issues related to sustainability and inclusion, then design solutions with Minecraft: Education Edition.

    Create your own prompt that invites students to address a local issue impacting your school, community or region. This could be something like designing a more accessible version of your classroom in Minecraft. Think about people with different learning styles and disabilities, so the space is a safe and inspiring environment for everyone to be healthy. 

    Or build a more sustainable version of your school in Minecraft. Consider a holistic definition of sustainability, which may involve rethinking energy systems, recycling, transportation, and how nature plays a role.

    Share progress and stories of your Challenge experience via Twitter and Facebook, and tag us using our Twitter handle @PlayCraftLearn and the hashtag #MinecraftChallenge, and then post your results on the Minecraft Challenge Flipgrid page.

    10 June 2020, 4:47 pm
  • 43 minutes 51 seconds
    Building Great Lessons | Ben Spieldenner & Trish Cloud

    On this episode of the Minecraft Education Edition podcast we’re talking lessons! We’ll talk to two amazing educators and get their best advice on how to build great lessons. We’ll also share some resources so you can get started yourself. Our guest(s) this week are Ben Spieldenner and Trish Cloud.


    Ben Spieldenner

    Twitter: https://twitter.com/BenSpieldenner

    Website: https://www.crosspond.net/

    Trish Cloud

    Twitter: https://twitter.com/trishcloud




    Join the Minecraft Education Challenge! This virtual build challenge invites students around the world to learn about issues related to sustainability and inclusion, then design solutions with Minecraft: Education Edition.

    Create your own prompt that invites students to address a local issue impacting your school, community or region. This could be something like designing a more accessible version of your classroom in Minecraft. Think about people with different learning styles and disabilities, so the space is a safe and inspiring environment for everyone to be healthy. 

    Or build a more sustainable version of your school in Minecraft. Consider a holistic definition of sustainability, which may involve rethinking energy systems, recycling, transportation, and how nature plays a role.

    Share progress and stories of your Challenge experience via Twitter and Facebook, and tag us using our Twitter handle @PlayCraftLearn and the hashtag #MinecraftChallenge, and then post your results on the Minecraft Challenge Flipgrid page.

    4 June 2020, 3:39 pm
  • 29 minutes 28 seconds
    World Connections | Benjamin Kelly

    Minecraft isn’t just a game you play on your own, it’s a powerful tool to make connections with students and teachers all over the world! On today’s show, we’ll talk about how one teacher, Benjamin Kelly from Canada, uses Minecraft in his classroom and works with educators around the world to teach students about the sustainable development goals.


    Benjamin Kelly

    Twitter: https://twitter.com/BBTNB

    Website: http://www.bbtnb.com/



    29 May 2020, 7:14 pm
  • 41 minutes 13 seconds
    Remote Learning with Minecraft | Becky Keene & Chris Burica

    In this episode of the Minecraft: Education Edition podcast we’ll talk about how this is all going to go down. We’ll share some great tips on how to use Minecraft with your students, and our guest(s) this week are Becky Keene and Chris Burica.


    Becky Keene

    Twitter: https://twitter.com/BeckyKeene

    Chris Burica

    Twitter: https://twitter.com/C_Burica


    • The Minecraft Multiplayer Guide is a PDF with information about how to set up synchronous multiplayer games.
    • To help teachers and students stay connected to the classroom, Minecraft: Education Edition is now available through June 2020 for all educators and learners who have a valid Office 365 Education account.
    • Not sure if you have access? Fill out this form to verify your account and request access to Minecraft.
    • The Minecraft Remote Learning Toolkit includes more than 50 lessons, STEM curriculum and project-based learning activities so educators can use Minecraft: Education Edition with their students whether they are in school, at home or in another remote learning environment.
    • Students can use tools like the Camera and Book & Quill to take screenshots, write about their work and export their in-game portfolios as PDF.
    • If you head over to the Minecraft Marketplace, you will find some of our favorite lessons from Minecraft: Education Edition in a brand new Education category. These educational worlds can be played on your own, with your kids, parents or friends. From the comfort of your home, you can tour the International Space Station or even explore the inside of a human eye. We’ve also included ten worlds from our Marketplace creator community! All of these worlds are free to download through June 30, 2020.
    • The Hour of Code is a fun accessible gateway for students to learn coding.
    • Join the Minecraft Education Challenge! This virtual build challenge invites students around the world to learn about issues related to sustainability and inclusion, then design solutions with Minecraft: Education Edition.Share progress and stories of your Challenge experience via Twitter and Facebook, and tag us using our Twitter handle @PlayCraftLearn and the hashtag #MinecraftChallenge, and then post your results on the Minecraft Challenge Flipgrid page. We’re excited to see what you build!


    20 May 2020, 8:32 pm
  • 43 seconds
    Welcome to Minecraft: Education Edition

    My name is Mike Washburn, and this is the Minecraft: Education Edition podcast. Minecraft is the best-selling game of all time. It’s also, we believe, one of the most powerful tools for teaching and learning that exists. This podcast will tell you why.

    We’ll talk to experts about how they’re inspiring students with Minecraft in the classroom and at home. We’ll take you through some of the most asked questions about Minecraft: Education Edition and help dig up the answers. See what I did there? 

    Subscribe now and don’t miss an episode. The Minecraft Education Edition podcast is produced by Participate.

    16 May 2020, 7:25 am
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