Microsoft announced today the launch of Minecraft: Education Edition on Chromebooks, in collaboration with the Google Education team. This release aims to help teachers and students adapt to their remote learning transition through game-based learning amid stay-at-home orders.
As part of this release, the game has also added new features including 11 fresh STEM lessons with a special Minecraft world that features honeybees and pollination. There are new mobs as well, including foxes and bees, as well as beehives and honey blocks. Educators and students alike can also look for lessons easier with tagged learning activities in the lesson library.
Regarding the game"s expansion to Chromebooks, Wales educator and Minecraft mentor, James Protheroe, said:
“We’ve built new relationships with students in this remote learning time. They’re helping one another in new ways, and it’s strengthening the relationships between teachers and students. Minecraft is helping them make sense of what’s happening. They can share their thoughts and reasoning, offload stress, and learn in a safe environment.”
In addition to Chrome OS, the new Minecraft: Education Edition features are now available on Windows, macOS, and iPadOS. Existing features of the game that are already available on other platforms are also live for Chromebook users, including multiplayer support. In March, the game also introduced free educational content for kids stuck at home.
Schools with licenses obtained through Microsoft 365 for Education (A3 or A5) can already access the game. Microsoft also promises to enable logging in with a Google account in the near future. For now, users will need a Microsoft account to sign in.