Mojang has announced a few new features coming to Minecraft: Education Edition, a version of the popular building game meant specifically for use in a classroom. These new features include the introduction of Command Blocks to the game, allowing the game to teach children the basics of coding and programming.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3rKuSlgqePo

Minecraft has a unique advantage that it reaches any student, as not only an open world game, but as a gateway to coding as well. The number one request we hear from educators is the importance of coding and computational thinking as essential for college and career readiness. Through our partnership with Code.org, we have seen over 50 million hours of code, showing the appetite for engaging and innovative ways to teach and learn coding.

Minecraft: Education Edition has support for various programming packages built into its core, meaning that students and teachers can easily interface with so-called "learn-to-code" packages like ScratchX Tynker , and the recently released Microsoft MakeCode within Minecraft. Support for Code.org's Code Studio and Code Builder will be coming to Minecraft: Education Edition at some point later this year.

Later this spring, Mojang will be releasing version 1.01 of the game. This update will introduce Command Blocks to the game. These blocks can be programmed by players to perform specific functions by using an actual programming language. In OG Minecraft, these blocks weren't ordinarily used by players but by server owners wanting to customize how their server operates. This update will also add support for more languages, custom texture pack support, trading with villagers, an adventure mode, and new block types to use in your buildings.

And one more thing - Starting today, a one-year subscription to Minecraft: Education Edition will be included with qualifying purchases of Windows 10 computers and tablets, making it simpler to add Minecraft to your tools for classroom learning. For more information about this amazing offer, head to our offer page here.