Minecraft Education offers a dynamic and immersive way to engage students, fostering creativity and critical thinking. Integrating this innovative platform into your curriculum can enhance the learning experience and open doors to a new world of educational possibilities.

Let's walk through the various professional development resources that can assist you in using Minecraft Education as a teaching tool, including information on how the training is delivered and guidance on choosing the best format for your school.

 

Minecraft Teacher Academy (3 hours)

Embark on a transformative journey through Minecraft Teacher Academy, the hero learning path designed to elevate your teaching practice. The program offers three levels, whether you're a beginner, intermediate, or advanced user. Once you complete the program, you'll earn a Minecraft Certified Teacher badge and be invited to join the Minecraft Certified Teacher community. It's an excellent opportunity to connect with other like-minded educators and continue to grow in your profession.

  • Minecraft 101: Let's Build Individually (1 hour): If you're an educator new to Minecraft, this level will introduce you to asynchronous building, where students work on their worlds. Typically, most educators begin with Minecraft 101, deliver their first lesson to students, and then move on to other courses when ready. If you feel confident using Minecraft in your classroom after completing this level, you can dive right in! However, to strengthen your knowledge and confidence, we highly recommend returning to finish Minecraft 201 and 301.
  • Minecraft 201: Let's Modify Together (1 hour): Teachers may be ready to expand their skill set after a successful lesson where students build skills related to the curriculum. Minecraft 201 course teaches how to evaluate students' work using in-game tools and host a multiplayer world for collaborative gameplay. It is advisable to practice these skills and move towards advanced courses.
  • Minecraft 301: Let's Build Worlds Together (1 Hour): Teachers can take this advanced course to learn how to build or modify their worlds. They can use Worldbuilder mode effectively, add non-player characters (NPCs) to provide context and assignments in the world, and explore small-group multiplayer instructions. Completionists and collectors can collect the full set of Teacher Academy badges.

 

Minecraft Block Coding Academy (6 hours)

The Block Coding Academy modules focus on using Minecraft Education to teach programming skills and concepts to learners at all levels. The course breaks down into two sections: Block-based coding in MakeCode and a transition from MakeCode to Python. Most educators start with block coding and return to the Transition to Python course later. After completing each section, you’ll add the Block Coding and Coding and Beyond badges to your collection.Prerequisite: Complete the Minecraft 101 module in the Minecraft Teacher Academy to build up to the Block Coding Academy.

 

Minecraft Python Coding Academy (6 hours)

Supercharge students' coding skills using Python with our Python Coding Academy. This module, divided into Python in MakeCode and transitioning to writing Python in Azure Notebooks, equips educators to navigate real-world text-based programming.

Prerequisite: Complete the Minecraft 101 course or equivalent training before click-clacking into the Python Coding Academy.

 

Cybersecurity Academy (1 hour)

The Cybersecurity Academy in Minecraft Education module covers the entire cybersecurity pathway, including various educational materials and learning content to assist educators in teaching cybersecurity to students aged 8-18. Upon completing the module, you will receive the Cybersecurity badge to add to your collection. Moreover, you will be equipped with the necessary skills to help your students navigate the ever-growing networked world.

Prerequisite: Complete the Minecraft 101 course or equivalent training before you start your Cybersecurity journey.

 

Minecraft Trainer Academy (1 hour)

For educators who have experience teaching students and are looking to train other teachers, the Minecraft Trainer Academy is the perfect resource. This program guides the best practices for preparing and conducting Minecraft Education training sessions for their school or district. The course offers training materials and encourages educators to create an exciting and empowering training environment that will inspire their colleagues to use Minecraft Education. This is particularly useful for technology coaches who want to support their schools' implementation of Minecraft Education and help their fellow educators get started.

Prerequisite: Complete Minecraft 101–301 before leveling up into the Minecraft Trainer Academy.

 

Microsoft Esports Teacher Academy (3 hours)

New to Esports? Microsoft Esports Teacher Academy (META) highlights the role of esports in teaching and learning, potential career pathways, and guidance for building a thriving Esports program in a school.

Prerequisite: Complete Minecraft 101 and 201 before kicking off the Minecraft Esports Teacher Academy.

 

Minecraft Student Ambassador Program (4 hours)

Do you have students who are absolute Minecraft fanatics? You can allow them to take on a leadership role and assist other students, and even teachers, in getting started with the game. By creating a Minecraft Student Ambassador Program, schools can also demonstrate to the broader community, including parents, how Minecraft can positively impact student learning and development. By completing this learning path, you will earn the title of a Certified Minecraft Student Ambassador Sponsor.

Prerequisite: Complete Minecraft 101 and 201 before you assemble your team through the Minecraft Student Ambassador Program course.

 

Flexible Training Methods

 

Asynchronous Learning on Microsoft Learn

For educators seeking flexibility, our courses on Microsoft Learn allow you to progress at your pace, earning badges upon completion. Explore courses like Minecraft Teacher Academy, Block Coding Academy, and more.

These links will take you to every course available:

 

Live Training Cohort Model

Only some people prefer to take asynchronous courses on their own. That's why we provide live training cohorts that take place regularly and can be joined by educators worldwide! These cohorts meet consistently over three to four weeks, enabling participants to complete the courses together. Minecraft Certified Trainers lead the sessions to ensure you get the most out of the experience. Similar to the asynchronous learning model, these cohorts are free for all educators to access.

Register for all events at aka.ms/meeevents

 

One-to-one training with a Microsoft Global Training Partner

Customize your training experience by partnering with a Microsoft Global Training Partner. Tailor sessions to match your audience's needs, whether virtual or onsite and receive personalized instruction based on your goals.

Reach out to a Microsoft Global Training Partner and request a quote here: Find A Trainer.

Now equipped with the knowledge and resources for successful Professional Development training, dive into Minecraft Education. Visit education.minecraft.net to embark on your transformative journey.

Schedule a Discovery Call here if you have any questions about implementing new technologies in the classroom. We are here to help you every step of the way.