Microsoft has compiled a hub of resources for helping teachers and families use Minecraft: Education Edition to teach students at home.
Some students are using Minecraft during their "self-quarantines" to recreate their campuses. And at least one group is planning a national graduation ceremony to take place in their virtual world.
Education technology company Kahoot! has begun offering free access to the "premium" version of the program, which allows students to learn through gaming. This move comes in response to the number of schools and colleges that are shifting to online education to minimize face-to-face contact during the coronavirus pandemic.
As more colleges and universities add esports to their formal athletics programs, they'll eventually need to grapple with Title IX implications.
An English language arts teacher has become the director for esports at his high school and kicked off a state-wide initiative to link up other Indiana schools interested in esports as well. John Robertson, who teaches at Tipton High, has launched the Indiana High School Esports Network, which currently has 13 members — all high schools (although middle schools are also invited to join).
The Colorado High School Activities Association is testing esports in schools this year to figure out whether to add it to the athletics fold.
A California school district is launching a joint STEAM career program with an esports tournament. The Compton Unified School District esports program is intended to help students develop STEAM skills, especially in computer programming, and develop their abilities in collaboration, digital literacy, critical thinking and problem-solving.
The content covers learning standards in areas such as careers in gaming, maintaining healthy practices, self-management and interpersonal communications, as well as an overview of esports gaming and complete lesson plans.
Microsoft has released an update to Minecraft: Education Edition. The latest back-to-school release (version 1.12) offers several enhancements, including improved multiplayer support, including support for join codes.
Kahoot! is revamping its game creator with new features to make it faster and easier for teachers to use the platform.