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Minecraft Education Edition Expands World, Adds Accessibility Features

Minecraft Education Edition this week hit version 1.0, adding several new features to the school-focused version of the world building game.

Among the new features is an expanded world height (up to 256), allowing for larger constructions. The new version also includes accessibility features like text to speech in chat.

Other new features introduced this week include:

  • A global pause feature for taking breaks;
  • A streamlined user interface;
  • Simplified access to settings;
  • Added igloos and polar bears in snowy biomes; and
  • New .mcworld file format support.

The game's developer, Mojang (a part of Microsoft), also announced that it's expanded MEE's teacher mentor program, which now includes 60 mentors from 19 countries. Those mentors will post tips, blogs and other content on a weekly basis through a Mentor of the Week program.

To date, according to the company, some 75,000 students and educators have used Minecraft Education Edition "as a foundation to create, explore and learn in classrooms around the globe."

Minecraft Education Edition 1.0 is available now. The Education Edition runs $5 per student, though district-level licenses are also available. Further information can be found on the MEE site.

About the Author

David Nagel is the former editorial director of 1105 Media's Education Group and editor-in-chief of THE Journal, STEAM Universe, and Spaces4Learning. A 30-year publishing veteran, Nagel has led or contributed to dozens of technology, art, marketing, media, and business publications.

He can be reached at [email protected]. You can also connect with him on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidrnagel/ .


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