Microsoft and the Department of Education (DepEd) collaborated to launch pilot testing of Minecraft: Education Edition for mobile devices in the Philippines.
Minecraft: Education Edition mobile pilot test in Philippines
According to a press release, they will give 23 million Filipino students early access to the game. This is for an extended learning experience in school, at home, or in any remote learning setting.
Minecraft: Education Edition is a game-based learning platform that encourages creativity, collaboration, and problem-solving in a virtual world. In fact, many educators all around the globe use this game to engage students in a variety of courses and bring abstract concepts to life.
“With the right tools and program interventions, game-based learning approaches can improve a child’s memory capacity, computer, and simulation fluency, strategic thinking, problem-solving, and build other skills such as map reading or practical thinking, “said Joanna Velez Rodriguez, Public Sector Director of Microsoft Philippines.
Moreover, teachers and students can access the app whether using Windows, Mac, iPad, Chromebook, and mobile devices.
“At Microsoft, we remain committed to supporting DepEd in preparing our teachers and students for future skills by making technology accessible to everyone. Our partnership has always been anchored on enabling quality and accessible education by supporting the digital transformation of the DepEd and the learning journeys of students and teachers in the Philippines,” she added.
In addition, the institution has conducted a pilot test with Felta Multimedia to enable virtual field trips for students utilizing the gaming platform to boost learning in Philippine history. Besides, through its ETulay sessions on social media, the Department of Education has launched a series of free online courses on Minecraft: Education Edition.
“On behalf of the DepEd, I want to express my gratitude to the people behind this endeavor making the Philippines the first country where Minecraft: Education Edition for mobile is being launched for pilot testing,” said Alain Del B. Pascua, Undersecretary of DepEd.
Where to download it?
Lastly, students and teachers may download the Minecraft: Education Edition on Google Play Store. They just need to sign in to their Microsoft 365 school accounts to access the application.
