THE MINECRAFT BUDGET
Raise your hand if you have ever brought something from home to be repurposed in your classroom. How many other professions have to resort to this? Imagine your school, classroom, computer lab or library if we all had an unlimited budget for purchasing resources. Sadly, this simply is not the case and we are forced to make due with what we can afford. With this in mind, the following is a breakdown on how to bring Minecraft to your school based on your budget.
LEVEL 4
MINECRAFTEDU package
Cost $300-$500 for 30 licenses
PROS: There are endless possibilities for use across the curriculum. The teacher controls enable you to maintain management in a virtual classroom. The online chat provides the students with the opportunity to use the critical vocabulary necessary to explaining their thinking. Finally, the MinecraftEDU team are extremely helpful.
CONS: This is the most expensive option. Computer specifications may limit functionality due to Java and Video Card
problems.
MINECRAFTEDU package
Cost $300-$500 for 30 licenses
PROS: There are endless possibilities for use across the curriculum. The teacher controls enable you to maintain management in a virtual classroom. The online chat provides the students with the opportunity to use the critical vocabulary necessary to explaining their thinking. Finally, the MinecraftEDU team are extremely helpful.
CONS: This is the most expensive option. Computer specifications may limit functionality due to Java and Video Card
problems.
LEVEL 3
MINECRAFT EDU (MICROSOFT VERSION COMING SOON!)
Cost $300-$500 for 30 licenses
PROS: The students are able to build and create the challenges you set before them. They can take screenshots and print them, which can be used for discussion during congress. Most students already know how to use this program and can support your understanding as well. Some students may already have licenses which can save money. Can
3D Print from this version using Printcraft.org
CONS: All of the above benefits are lost, along with chat and teacher controls. Computer specifications may limit functionality due to Java and Video Card problems.
MINECRAFT EDU (MICROSOFT VERSION COMING SOON!)
Cost $300-$500 for 30 licenses
PROS: The students are able to build and create the challenges you set before them. They can take screenshots and print them, which can be used for discussion during congress. Most students already know how to use this program and can support your understanding as well. Some students may already have licenses which can save money. Can
3D Print from this version using Printcraft.org
CONS: All of the above benefits are lost, along with chat and teacher controls. Computer specifications may limit functionality due to Java and Video Card problems.
LEVEL 2
MINECRAFT POCKET EDITION for tablets
Cost $6.99 per license
PROS: This is a great option if you have a class set of tablets or a BYOD classroom. Many students have this version and they can also use it on their device. This is the most popular gaming app in the world, which means many of your students will already have this license. It is a cost effective way to get Minecraft going in your class.
CONS: All of the MinecraftEDU benefits are lost, along with chat and teacher controls. Tablets may not be available at
your school or you may not have a BYOD policy in place.
MINECRAFT POCKET EDITION for tablets
Cost $6.99 per license
PROS: This is a great option if you have a class set of tablets or a BYOD classroom. Many students have this version and they can also use it on their device. This is the most popular gaming app in the world, which means many of your students will already have this license. It is a cost effective way to get Minecraft going in your class.
CONS: All of the MinecraftEDU benefits are lost, along with chat and teacher controls. Tablets may not be available at
your school or you may not have a BYOD policy in place.
LEVEL 1
Search Minecraft online
Cost FREE
PROS: It has most of the typical game play as the real game.
CONS: This method is not legal and we do not endorse it. All of the MinecraftEDU benefits are lost, along with chat and teacher controls. Computer specifications may limit functionality due to Java and Video card problems.
Search Minecraft online
Cost FREE
PROS: It has most of the typical game play as the real game.
CONS: This method is not legal and we do not endorse it. All of the MinecraftEDU benefits are lost, along with chat and teacher controls. Computer specifications may limit functionality due to Java and Video card problems.