Minecraft Education Archives

AppWizard

December 14, 2025

Why Is Minecraft So Expensive?

Many gamers hesitate to purchase Minecraft due to its price, questioning why it remains relatively expensive despite its simplistic graphics and long-standing presence. 1. Minecraft is a one-time purchase game, offering full access without pay-to-win mechanics or subscriptions. 2. Since its launch in 2011, Minecraft has undergone continuous development, providing numerous major updates at no extra cost. 3. Minecraft serves as a versatile creative platform for learning game design, coding, education, and community building. 4. Microsoft's ownership has led to investments in global server infrastructure, account management, and security measures, impacting the game's pricing. 5. The value-per-hour argument shows that Minecraft offers extensive gameplay hours, making it economical compared to other games. 6. Minecraft is one of the best-selling games of all time, with high demand supporting its stable price. FAQs indicate that Minecraft provides exceptional value, maintains its price due to sustained development and popularity, distinguishes itself from cheaper alternatives, does not require additional payments for core access, and offers legal ways to play at a lower cost.

AppWizard

November 14, 2025

Coding meets creativity in Minecraft Education’s AI tutorial

Minecraft Education has introduced an AI-powered experience called the Hour of AI world, transforming the traditional first night challenge into a guided coding and learning journey. Players build shelters with the help of an AI agent that enhances planning and problem-solving skills. Using MakeCode programming, participants instruct the AI to identify patterns, categorize resources, and manage helper bots. The AI agent evolves from a basic tool to a collaborative partner, automating tasks and reducing the pressures of survival. The experience is designed for individuals aged seven and older and is freely accessible through Minecraft Education, introducing fundamental AI literacy concepts in a family-friendly environment.

AppWizard

November 12, 2025

Hour of AI 2025

In a vibrant biome, as night falls, players encounter unsettling sounds and shadows. They are equipped with an AI agent in Minecraft Education, which can be programmed using MakeCode to recognize patterns, classify resources, and coordinate helpers. The AI learns from examples and may make mistakes, requiring guidance. Proper training of the AI agent is crucial for effective survival, helping players plan, prototype, and automate tasks to avoid danger from zombies and enhance their gaming experience.

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

November 8, 2025

Flint Castle recreated in Minecraft for new Cadw learning project

Flint Castle has been revitalized in Minecraft through an educational initiative by Cadw, allowing students from Ysgol Flint Gwynedd and Ysgol Cornist Park to explore a digital replica of the historic site. This is the fourth Welsh heritage site recreated in Minecraft, following Conwy Castle, Caernarfon Castle, and Harlech Castle. Since its launch in December 2024, the bilingual Minecraft resources have been downloaded over 7,000 times by educators in Wales. Flint Castle, built by King Edward I in 1277, played significant roles in British history, including the capture of King Richard II in 1399 and involvement in Owain Glyndŵr’s rebellion in 1400. The Minecraft world allows learners aged 8 to 14 to explore the castle and engage with the interactive Conflict Trail. Cadw plans to add around 20 more locations to the Minecraft world in the coming year, with resources available in Welsh and English.

AppWizard

October 24, 2025

Students invited to reimagine AO in Minecraft Education

The AO Schools Block Buster Tennis Challenge is a national competition in Australia for students in Years 4 to 12, organized by the Australian Open and the Australian Esports League. Participants create designs of the Australian Open precinct using Minecraft Education, focusing on themes of creativity, sustainability, and technology. Over 100 schools are enrolled for the 2025 competition, which features a prize pool exceeding ,000, including experiences at AO 2026. The challenge has different themes for various year levels: - Years 4–6: Design a sustainable fan zone. - Years 7–9: Redesign a key stadium and interconnected facilities. - Years 10–12: Reimagine the entire AO precinct. Key dates include registration closing on October 31, 2025, submissions due by November 28, 2025, marking completed by December 15, 2025, and winners announced on December 16, 2025. Schools can register at the AEL website. The event is not sponsored or endorsed by Microsoft Corporation or Mojang AB.

AppWizard

October 3, 2025

Minecraft-style game based on Bude to help teach climate change

A customized version of Minecraft, named CoastCraft, has been launched by the Environment Agency to engage children aged nine to 14 in climate change issues, focusing on coastal erosion and flood resilience. The game is set in Bude, Cornwall, and encourages players to protect their environment while considering community needs. This initiative is part of a £200 million Flood and Coastal Innovation Programme, developed with Minecraft Education and Cornwall Council. The government is committing £7.9 billion over the next decade for coastal community protection. Students from Sir James Smith School and Windmill Hill Academy contributed to the game's development.

AppWizard

September 19, 2025

Minecraft Education teaches kids the dangers of AI through a noir detective lens — encouraging artificial intelligence literacy

On September 16, 2025, Minecraft launched a program called Reed Smart: AI Detective aimed at players aged 8 to 18, focusing on enhancing information literacy in the context of artificial intelligence. The game consists of three acts: 1. The Deepest Fake - Players learn to discern authenticity in AI-generated videos. 2. An Ode to Deception - Players explore tools for detecting AI-generated content and the importance of human judgment. 3. Dine & Deceive - Players identify falsehoods created by AI and learn verification techniques. The game encourages players to engage in interviews, contextualize statements, and recognize AI misuse, fostering skills such as lateral reading and fact-checking. As players progress, the game's visual representation changes from monochrome to vibrant colors, symbolizing their growth in information literacy. Reed Smart: AI Detective is available for download on the Minecraft: Education Library and the Minecraft Marketplace, with additional resources provided by Microsoft for further learning about AI literacy.

AppWizard

September 3, 2025

School of Gaming expands team to scale Minecraft-based learning programs | ETIH EdTech News

School of Gaming (SOG) expanded its team from three to nine members in 2025. Principal Mikko Perälä announced this growth on LinkedIn. SOG provides online after-school activities, clubs, and camps for children aged 7 to 18, using games like Minecraft for educational purposes. Liisa Hyvönen has joined the team to oversee customer success and communication, serving public sector clients and new families. She holds a Master’s degree in Engineering from Aalto University and will also contribute to free demo events. SOG aims to support the well-being and future of young Minecraft enthusiasts globally and plans to continue hiring in the coming weeks.

AppWizard

August 22, 2025

Minecraft: What’s the difference between Bedrock and Java

Minecraft has two primary versions: Bedrock and Java. Minecraft Bedrock offers robust cross-play capabilities across consoles and devices, allowing players on Xbox, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, and mobile to connect with Windows users. It simplifies server setup with the Realm feature for casual multiplayer experiences and includes achievements and parental controls, making it family-friendly. Minecraft Java, the original version, runs on the Java platform and supports cross-play among Windows, Mac, and Linux users, but not consoles or mobile. It features extensive mod support, allowing for customization, and includes advancements instead of external achievements. Combat mechanics differ, with Java emphasizing strategy through a cooldown system. Bedrock is often recommended for children due to its controlled environment, while Java appeals to players seeking customization and deeper engagement with the game. Additionally, Minecraft has expanded to include titles like Minecraft Dungeons, Legends, and Education, each offering unique gameplay experiences.