With more and more schools worldwide being shut as part of the governments’ efforts to contain the coronavirus, the Western game Minecraft is offering educational lessons to students for free.
The Minecraft Marketplace will add an “Education” category to provide downloadable digital programs until the month of June.
“Educators around the world are doing everything they can to provide digital lessons for the half a billion students who are out of school due to the Covid-19 pandemic,” Minecraft owner Microsoft said in a blog.
Based on reports, there will be 12 available lessons that can be played by the student on his or her own or with guardians.
These will include an exploration of the human eye, a tour in the International Space Station, logic puzzle games, and a tower game about power generation from alternative energy sources like wind and nuclear.
Meanwhile, the Polish Government recently announced that it is also using Minecraft to encourage children to practice social distancing which is seen as one of the most effective measure to prevent the spread of the deadly virus.
It has launched a learning hub, called Grarantanna, which contains the Minecraft server and other engaging educational activities.
The website can be utilized by kids and students from Elementary to College as it is filled countless games as well webinars and quizzes on Polish history and geography.
“Free from school and unplanned stay at home do not have to be boring. First of all – it’s worth using this time for… learning. And here we recommend our website www.gov.pl/zdalnelcje. Yes, yes – this is not a holiday or a vacation,” the website reads.
Microsoft has made its limited-time educational tools in Minecraft readily available to keep students entertained and educated despite being away from school and, most importantly, to discourage them from venturing outdoors.
