Microsoft Announces Free Trial Version of Minecraft: Education Edition

Almost five months after acquiring MinecraftEdu, Microsoft today announced the release of a free early access version of Minecraft: Education Edition. Microsoft bought the educational form of the popular open world game in January, and now is offering version of its product over the summer at no cost. A completed version will go on sale this fall. The education version of Minecraft allows teachers to create non-player characters that can guide students within the game. Through problem-solving and collaboration, students can explore subjects ranging from science and engineering to history as they re-create places and events. Teachers can also collect information on students’ progress, as they take screenshots of their work to document their projects. Up to 30 students can play at a time, and smaller groups can share work between their respective worlds. More than 100 schools and 1,700 students are already part of the game’s Beta Program, a trial that Microsoft used to test the product. This spring, their input was used to tweak the game so that it would be better suited for the classroom. At the International Society for Technology in Education conference later this month, the Minecraft Education Team will lead several professional learning workshops to train educators on the game, and provide information on what it has to offer students and instructors.