Microsoft Releases Code Builder for Minecraft: Education Edition

Microsoft Releases Code Builder for Minecraft: Education Edition

Microsoft announced today that the Code Builder Update for Minecraft: Education Edition is now available, along with other updates to both in-game features and Classroom Mode.

“It’s been quite a month,” a new post to the Minecraft: Education Edition notes. “We announced Code Builder for Minecraft: Education Edition, a free one-year subscription to Minecraft: Education Edition with qualifying purchases of Windows 10 computers and tablets, and updates to both in-game features and Classroom Mode for Minecraft. In just two weeks, thousands of you downloaded the Code Builder Beta and are already creating with Tynker, ScratchX, and MakeCode.”

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Announced three weeks ago, Code Builder allows students and teachers to explore, create, and play in virtual worlds by writing software code.

As Microsoft explains it, Code Builder is a new extension for Minecraft: Education Edition that allows educators and students to explore, create, and play in an immersive Minecraft world, all by writing code. “Connecting to learn-to-code packages like ScratchX, Tynker, and a new open source platform called Microsoft MakeCode, players start with familiar tools, templates, and tutorials,” the software giant writes. “And, Code.org will bring Code Studio to Code Builder later this year to support even more learning opportunities.”

Microsoft now provides a full set of training materials available on its Minecraft: Education Edition community site if you want to learn more.

In addition to Code Builder, Microsoft is also releasing the following updates for Minecraft: Education Edition:

Command Blocks. Command Blocks allow players to attach Minecraft commands to activated blocks within the game, providing the ability to create teleport stations, give items, change the weather, and more.

Worldbuilder. Worldbuilder comes to Education Edition with a shortened (/wb) command, new blocks like Terracotta, which allows for new designs, and villager trading, which enhances the economic possibilities of the game.

Classroom Mode improvements. Based on educator feedback, Classroom Mode has been updated to streamline the game experience with new controls for weather, destructive items like lava and TNT, mobs, muting chat, and immutable world.

 

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Conversation 3 comments

  • CaedenV

    22 May, 2017 - 12:18 pm

    <p>I want this for my homeschooling group… but MS has yet to respond to my emails asking how we can be included :(</p>

    • jimchamplin

      Premium Member
      22 May, 2017 - 2:34 pm

      <blockquote><a href="#118645"><em>In reply to CaedenV:</em></a></blockquote><p>Best bet is to get in touch with a Microsoftie on Twitter and see if they can get you in touch with the right people. Jen Gentleman and Dona Sarkar both are very active on Twitter. </p>

  • UniversalBuilder

    23 May, 2017 - 3:52 am

    <p>Hi, I like the initiative but I'm not very savvy besides the basics of Minecraft. Does something similar exist for regular versions, like the Windows 10 edition or the one you download from Mojang's website ? I'm not a teacher but I know my way in programming and would be thrilled to use this framework for my own kids.</p>

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