Minecraft: Education Edition is out on Chromebooks
On the eve of the new school year, when many students will not return to classes but will study remotely, Microsoft has officially introduced Minecraft: Education Edition for Chromebooks. The Chrome OS version will support cross-platform play between the Windows, iPad, and macOS options, so students will be able to communicate and work on shared projects no matter what device they’re using.
Microsoft has also updated this version of the game with 11 new STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) lessons, and added information on bees and pollination to the world of Minecraft. An improved lesson plan library and tagged teaching abilities are also part of the update.
The company said the update will automatically install on Chrome OS, iPad, and Windows. macOS users will need to download it manually. Schools already using Minecraft: Education Edition in their classrooms do not have to change their subscription – the company will add a version of Chrome OS to their Microsoft 365 for Education licenses.
Minecraft: Education Edition has been available since 2016, so it’s surprising that it has just been officially ported to Chromebooks. After all, Google’s platform dominates education in the US. There are 30 million Chromebooks in use in schools worldwide as of 2019, according to the company. And in 2018, Chrome OS computers accounted for 60% of all laptops and tablets purchased for US schools.
