interactive learning Archives

AppWizard

October 4, 2026

I tried Duolingo for the first time in a year, and it’s worse than I thought

Marvin Velasco, a former daily user of Duolingo, became disillusioned after a year due to repetitive lessons and a lack of new content, leading him to uninstall the app despite a streak of over 500 days. Upon returning to refresh his German skills for a trip to Europe, he found the app cluttered with ads and unrelated features, which detracted from the language learning experience. The introduction of a new energy system limited his lesson completion and emphasized subscription tiers over genuine learning. After a trial of Duolingo Super, which he found gamified the experience, Velasco switched to Gemini, appreciating its user-friendly interface and personalized study plans. He tailored his learning with Gemini to focus on conversational German without the stress of losing streaks. Despite its flaws, he kept Duolingo for its structured modules, using both apps to create a balanced approach to language learning. He improved his experience with Duolingo by using it on a web browser to eliminate ads and disabling competitive features.

AppWizard

September 18, 2026

Notebooks in Gemini arrive for Google Workspace and Education accounts

Google has rolled out the "Notebooks in Gemini" feature to business and education accounts in Google Workspace, following its integration for regular users that began in April. The feature, previously known as NotebookLM, is now part of the main Gemini interface, allowing users to create interactive learning materials, reports, and slide decks. Workspace administrators can control access to the feature, which must be enabled at the organizational level. Users in the European Economic Area (EEA) do not have access to this feature due to regional restrictions on artificial intelligence applications.

AppWizard

June 15, 2026

Engineer builds Minecraft phonics game with AI

Alex O'Callaghan created a Minecraft-themed phonics game during a conversation with the AI model Claude. The game has two modes: one for picture-to-spell using letter tiles and another for read-to-picture with four images, targeting Key Stage 1 phonics. He developed the project further using Claude Code, set up Vite for development, integrated Vitest for testing, and switched to TypeScript. O'Callaghan enhanced the game's visuals by using a comprehensive npm package for Minecraft item sprites. His son engaged with the game and contributed content suggestions, improving their connection and motivation to practice phonics.

AppWizard

June 9, 2026

Ball State IDIA Lab Launches Mesa Verde Virtual Companion App for Apple and Android Devices

Ball State University’s Institute for Digital Intermedia Arts (IDIA Lab) has launched the Mesa Verde Virtual Companion, an augmented reality mobile app designed to enhance public engagement with Mesa Verde National Park. The app is available for free on the Apple App Store and Google Play and includes features such as augmented reality experiences, 3D visualizations of ancestral structures, narrated interpretations, animated figures, and interactive learning content about the Ancestral Pueblo people. The app aims to facilitate both on-site and off-site exploration of the park, which contains nearly 5,000 archaeological sites and is recognized as a national park and UNESCO World Heritage Site. It targets park visitors, educators, families, and remote users, incorporating accessibility features like a welcome tutorial and voiceover options. The project emphasizes immersive learning and cultural preservation, using advanced digital media to connect users with Indigenous history. The IDIA Lab, supported by Lilly Endowment, Inc.’s Digital Media Initiative, develops projects that explore virtual and augmented reality and collaborates with various organizations to enhance educational experiences.

AppWizard

January 27, 2026

BETT 2026: Microsoft reveals major Copilot, AI, and Minecraft Education updates | ETIH EdTech News

Microsoft showcased a comprehensive update to its education platform at BETT 2026, integrating AI tools like Copilot into Microsoft 365, Teams for Education, Learning Accelerators, and Minecraft Education. The new Teach module allows educators to create lesson plans aligned with standards from over 35 countries, generate rubrics, and modify reading levels. Minecraft Education lesson plan creation using Copilot is set to enter preview in February 2026. Microsoft introduced a Study and Learn agent for students, designed to support independent learning through tailored interactive activities, with a preview scheduled for January 2026. The program emphasizes AI literacy through Minecraft Education, helping students recognize AI in tools, understand algorithms, and develop critical evaluation skills. Learning Accelerators will expand with a new Microsoft 365 LTI for LMS integration, allowing full integration of Microsoft 365 apps and Copilot into learning management systems by Spring 2026. Microsoft also addressed AI misuse concerns, introducing assignment-level controls for educators to define acceptable AI usage, with previews scheduled for February 2026.

AppWizard

November 8, 2025

Building blocks of history: Flint Castle gets Minecraft makeover

School children visited Flint Castle and engaged with its history through Minecraft Education, marking the launch of Cadw’s fourth Welsh heritage site in the game. Pupils from Ysgol Flint Gwynedd and Ysgol Cornist Park participated in interactive learning experiences at the 13th-century fortress, which is significant as the first fortress built by King Edward I in 1277. The initiative, which began at Conwy Castle in December 2024, has seen over 7,000 downloads of bilingual resources by educators in Wales. The Minecraft experience allows learners aged 8 to 14 to explore the castle, follow a "Conflict Trail," and create historical films. Minister for Culture Jack Sargeant attended the launch, emphasizing the project's role in engaging young people with Welsh history and developing digital skills. The initiative plans to include around 20 Cadw-managed heritage sites in Minecraft over the next year, with resources available in both Welsh and English.

AppWizard

July 22, 2025

Roblox launches new Learning Hub

Roblox has launched a Learning Hub that covers subjects such as mathematics, English, and computer science, with plans for future expansion. The platform has partnered with BBC's Bitesize to create a geography-focused experience called Planet Planners, aimed at providing interactive learning opportunities for students during summer break. The Learning Hub is designed to offer subject- and grade-level-appropriate content to engage students in learning. Roblox has also introduced a new Licensing Hub to further enhance its offerings.

AppWizard

November 26, 2024

Alpine Partners with Minecraft in Huge New Formula1 Project

The collaboration between Alpine and Microsoft has resulted in the launch of a Minecraft Education world aimed at promoting the Race into STEM initiative, which focuses on engaging youth in STEM education and encouraging gender diversity in motorsports. The initiative includes global outreach events in cities like Mexico City, London, and Melbourne, designed to inspire young people to consider STEM careers in the motorsports industry. A key feature is a Minecraft recreation of Alpine's Enstone factory, allowing players to learn about Formula One car development and racing mechanics. The initiative has seen participation from over 100 students and over 80,000 visits from users in 99 countries. The partnership also involves FIA Girls on Track UK, which curates educational content to motivate young women in STEM fields. Local schools, such as Middle Barton Primary School, have participated by touring Alpine's facility for hands-on learning experiences.

BetaBeacon

October 17, 2024

Android gets beloved, award-winning digital ‘playroom’ game for kids that was iOS-exclusive for years

Pok Pok, an award-winning game for children aged 2-8, is now available on Android after years of success on iOS. The game is ad-free, free of in-app purchases, and does not contain any words or letters. CEO Melissa Cash highlighted the demand for an Android release due to the lower cost of Android hardware compared to iPads. The app offers a 7-day free trial followed by a subscription model. Subscribers can expect regular content updates every 6-8 weeks, with a recent teaser hinting at the introduction of numbers in an upcoming update.

AppWizard

October 8, 2024

Journey through stars with NASA in new, free Minecraft DLC

NASA has collaborated with Minecraft to create the James Webb Space Telescope Challenges, allowing gamers, educators, and students to explore a virtual world inspired by the telescope. The initiative aims to enhance understanding of NASA's mission and promote STEM education through interactive learning experiences. Participants can engage in tutorials about star formation, planet characteristics, and galaxy structures, and participate in a build challenge to design their own solar systems. The James Webb Space Telescope, launched on December 25, 2021, has been pivotal in astronomical research, providing observations of planets, analyzing exoplanet atmospheres, and capturing images of distant galaxies. This international project involves NASA, the European Space Agency, and the Canadian Space Agency. In 2023, NASA's Office of STEM Engagement partnered with Minecraft for the Artemis Challenge, allowing users to build rockets, navigate spacecraft, and establish lunar bases.