Calling all teachers! Minecraft: Education Edition enters early access

Microsoft has released a Minecraft: Education Edition in early access. The game, a modified version of vanilla Minecraft, has been heavily tweaked to allow students and teachers to collaborate and interact in one virtual space. [caption id=“attachment_320047” align=“aligncenter” width=“640”]  Image: Minecraft[/caption] The game was announced in January and is only now hitting early access. Early access means that interested parties can check out a beta version of the game before its actual release. This also helps developers iron out any bugs that may pop up. Microsoft adds that over a 100 schools and more than 1700 students are already participating in the program. [caption id=“attachment_320048” align=“aligncenter” width=“640”]  Image: Minecraft[/caption] The game has been modified to allow up to 30 students to collaborate and there will be no need to pay for a dedicated server for the game. Students will also be able to join classmates’ worlds. Students can bring cameras and take pictures of their work. Teachers can set up NPCs (Non Player Characters) that can give instructions and information, even in the form of links to websites. Teachers also get chalkboards on which they can write and provide instructions to the students if necessary. [caption id=“attachment_320049” align=“aligncenter” width=“640”]  Image: Minecraft[/caption] The early access edition is light on features, but more will be added as the early access program progresses. Upcoming features include a chat window, teleport capabilities and even a map that teachers can use to monitor their students. Microsoft will provide sample lessons on various subjects, including topics like the “Effects of deforestation.” What we’re really hoping to see is someone build a Hogwarts in there. A little bit of hacking and you’ll have everything from invisibility cloaks to Quidditch tournaments and even the Marauder’s map to play around with. We might even see magic wands, and why not? School will never be the same again.