SOFTWARE REVIEW

/EMERGING
TECHNOLOGY /INNOVATIVE
USES
VALERIE ALVIZO
EDU 214
6/25/2016
 SOFTWARE REVIEW
Name of reviewer: Valerie Alvizo
Software title: Minecraft Education Edition
Publisher: Mojang 2016
Cost per single license/lab pack/site license? Minecraft: Education Editionwill be free to use
during early access. Beginning in September 2016, Minecraft: Education Edition will be sold for $5 per
user per year. Volume pricing will be available for certain large education institutions purchasing for all
faculty and students.
Computer compatibility/system requirements: If your device meets the minimum hardware specs
for Windows 10 and OS X El Capitan, it will run Minecraft: Education Edition. Also need an Office 360
account (usually provided by schools).
Appropriate grade levels: K-12
Brief description of the software: This software can be used to teach lessons in the world of
Minecraft. It offers lessons that can be adapted to different subject matter in the interactive world of
Minecraft. Easy to navigate, fun to use, with many options for teachers to incorporate into their lessons.
Curriculum areas the software meets or addresses: This software can be used for storytelling
lessons in Language arts and Writing to factors and multiples in mathematics, as well as climate
change, history lessons and city planning. The software is designed to be versatile but in a way that it
can teach all subjects.
 SOFTWARE REVIEW CONT.
What are the strengths and weaknesses of the software? This software is based
on a really popular game, so one can expect updates regularly. It allows creativity from
both the teachers perspective as well as the students. The software offers lesson ideas
with objectives, activities and reflection questions. One of the greatest benefits of
Minecraft: Education Edition is the ability for students to collaborate together to build
projects and solve problems. Teachers can create non-playable characters that can serve
as guides within the game.

How long did it take you to become familiar with the program? It was fairly easy
to find how to navigate the program as it was set up almost as a game. The Minecraft:
Education Edition is the Minecraft game designed specifically for educational purposes.
How long might it take students? Why? Software features a tutorial for students to
learn and become familiar with the software. Because this is basically the game of
Minecraft students will be able to navigate the program easily if they are familiar with
the Minecraft game.
 SOFTWARE REVIEW CONT.
Rate the program according to the SA Students would enjoy using this
following Characteristics/Criteria: program:
SA = Strongly Agree A= Agree SA Program gives appropriate
D=Disagree NA=Not Applicable
feedback:
SA Program has educational value:
NA Students control the program's
_A Program is free from rate:
stereotypes:
NA Documentation is clearly written:
SA Content is of interest to
SA Teacher's guide is useful:
students:
SA Program in progress can be easily
SA Information is presented clearly
saved or exited:
and logically:
SA Program is user friendly:
A Graphics, & audio contribute to
the educational value: SA Skill levels can be adjusted by the
user/instructor
 EMERGING TECHNOLOGY
The Oculus Rift is a virtual reality
headset developed and manufactured
by Oculus VR
The Oculus Rift allows users to
experience different places and
situations in a virtual reality setting.
 EMERGING TECHNOLOGY CONT.
The Oculus Touch controllers are a pair of
controllers used for the Rift in selected
VR games, and are mirrors of each other
- one for each hand. They are
lightweight, wireless handheldmotion
collectorsfeaturing a joystick, buttons,
and two triggers- one for grabbing and
one for shooting or firing.

When paired with the Oculus Rift, one

can now touch and interact physically
with the virtual reality world.
EMERGING TECHNOLOGY CONT.

Imagine being able to take virtual

field trips to Auschwitz during a
History Lesson or to the Great
Barrier Reef during marine biology.
Oculus Rift and Oculus Touch could
change the way we teach by
allowing students to experience the
world inside and out right from our
classroom.
We could explore the world and
teach in new ways. Lessons that
incorporate experiencing new
places.
 REFERENCES

Minecraft: Education Edition. (2016, 6 25). Retrieved from education.minecraft.net:

http://education.minecraft.net/

Oculus Rift. (2016, 6 24). Retrieved from Oculus.com: https://www.oculus.com/en-us/rift/

Touch by Oculus. (2016, 6 25). Retrieved from Oculus.com: https://www.oculus.com/en-

us/touch/