Microsoft releases Code Builder Update for Minecraft Education

Dave W. Shanahan

Microsoft, Minecraft, Education

Today, Microsoft released a new update bringing Code Builder out of beta for Minecraft: Education Edition. On May 2, 2017, Microsoft announced the availability of Code Builder beta with a free one-year subscription to Minecraft: Education Edition when you purchased select Windows 10 PCs from the Microsoft Store.

In the first two weeks of the May 2 announcement, thousands of Minecraft users downloaded Code Builder and started creating with Tynker, ScratchX, and MakeCode. Microsoft implores you to continue to share your Minecraft Education creations on Twitter.

The Code Builder Update for Minecraft: Education Edition includes the general availability of Code Builder as well as updates to Minecraft’s in-game features and Classroom Mode. Code Builder for Minecraft: Education Edition is a new extension that allows teachers and students the opportunity to create and explore their own creations in Minecraft by writing their own code. Teachers and students have several coding options available, including ScratchX, Tynker, and Microsoft’s new open source coding option; MakeCode.

Later this year, Code.org will bring Code Studio to Code Builder to integrate more code learning opportunities for Minecraft: Education edition users. Starting with today’s Code Builder Update, there is a new set of helpful code training materials available on the Minecraft: Education Edition community website. eda full set of training materials available on the education.minecraft.net community site.

Microsoft is also releasing new updates to Command Blocks and Classroom Mode for Minecraft Education Edition. Stay tuned for more Minecraft: Education Edition announcements when the Minecraft Education team attends ISTE (International Society for Technology in Education) 2017 in San Antonio, TX, June 25-28, 2017.

Download the Minecraft: Education Edition free trial today to see how you can use Code Builder in your classroom.