Tutorials/Minecraft in education

Minecraft can be an educational tool that facilitates cooperation and teamwork among players.

Educational benefits
Minecraft can have huge educational benefits for children; it can help teach numerous subjects both with and without adult involvement. Learning in Minecraft can be faster than traditional methods of education, as children are often far more motivated, get more practice, and feel that what they are learning is useful.

Mojang has recognized the educational potential Minecraft offers, and has partnered with minecraftedu.com to provide a 50% discount on Minecraft for educational institutions.

Content suitability
While the mobs (enemies) may be scary or overly frustrating for younger children, single-player contains no coarse language, no sexual or drug references (the occasional vandalism of a language pack does happen, however the US English pack is controlled by Mojang and the vandalism mainly occurs to development versions of the game), no blood and dead mobs simply turn red, fall over, and then disappear in a puff of smoke. There is combat, but it is in the context of survival, not gratuitous killing and is not at all graphic. There is also a peaceful mode, so younger players do not have to encounter enemies apart from wolves (which only attack if provoked).

In multiplayer, other people on the server may use coarse or inappropriate language when using the in-game text chat. This can be prevented by running a private server or setting up Minecraft realms, where access can be restricted to specific players using the customizable whitelist. You can invite up to 10 players on the customizable whitelist.

You can also turn off chat by going to settings menu and from there to Multiplayer Settings. There you have an option to turn off your chat, you will see no member talk, and you cannot talk. You are also annoyingly prevented from using commands like /home, which can be extremely useful when in danger.

Technical ability
Minecraft can be easily set up by a parent for their child to play. After purchase, they need only download the game from minecraft.net, open the file, and log in. The file can be saved to the desktop for easy access, or to any location on the computer. If the parent allows the game to save their username and password, the child will only have to run the file and click "Login". Alternately, they may choose to restrict the child's access by keeping the password secret.

Setting up a server is much more involved, and will likely require parental assistance through the age of 13.

News Articles

 * 5 Ways Minecraft Can Help You Improve Your SAT Score, StudentAdvisor.com (A Washington Post Co)
 * Ideas for Using Minecraft in the Classroom by Andrew Miller, Edutopia.com

Minecraft in educatie