Minecraft

Note: If you are unfamiliar with Minecraft these terms and concepts may be new to you. Just grab a nearby kid and have them explain them to you.

Non-player characters: An educator may create an NPC to act as a guide for students in the game, giving instruction, providing more information, and also allowing educators to insert an active web link to additional references.

Camera + portfolio: An important aspect of teaching with Minecraft is being able to collect evidence of learning in the game, and being able to track student progression. The camera and portfolio features allow students to take screenshots of their work and document the development of their projects.

Chalkboards: Creators can use chalkboards to communicate learning goals, provide additional information and give explicit instructions within the game. Chalkboards come in three different sizes – (1×1), (2×1), and (2×3).

Tutorial world: For educators or students new to Minecraft, a tutorial world is available that guides players on in-game navigation, crafting, and placing or breaking blocks.

Allow and deny blocks: These blocks allow the educator (or a player with World Builder privileges) to place specific areas where players can or cannot build.

Border blocks: These blocks prevent players from entering or leaving a specific area. The range of influence extends the full range of the Y coordinate from wherever the block is placed on the x & z coordinate. It is the same shape as a cobblestone wall but with a smooth, red texture and red particle effects.

Additional item hotbar: There is a smaller hotbar with three additional slots that can be enabled for players by the educator. This smaller hotbar rests to the right-side of the main hotbar and educators can populate this hotbar with items.

Code builder and the agent: A complimentary program to Education Edition that allows students to write code in a code editor and The Agent then executes the code in the program.