How to download Minecraft Education Edition

Minecraft, the well known cultural phenomenon that took gaming by storm over the last decade, has changed a lot over the years. It is no longer just a game. Minecraft Education Edition is a teaching and learning tool that can be used by educators all over the world. 

Using a well-known game as a platform, information can be presented to students in a way that they feel comfortable with, allowing teachers to break down the idea that education and learning are intimidating. It also creates an environment where students can try new things, such as coding.

How to download the software

Minecraft Education Edition features classroom-friendly features such as tutorials to help educators get to grips with the platform as well. A trial version of Minecraft Education Edition can be downloaded from the Minecraft website, for free. The software is available for Windows 10 and Mac.

For access to the full program, you will need an Office 365 Education account to log in. You can check if your school has an Office 365 Education account by going to the Get Started page at the Minecraft website and entering your school’s email address in the relevant box.  If you do not have an Office 365 Education account, please read the rest of this article carefully.

If you already have an Office 365 account and have purchased licenses for Minecraft Education Edition, the below video will walk you through how to deploy the licenses to students, and download the software.

How to get licenses for Minecraft Education Edition

If your school does not have a license for the product, you will need to read the Purchasing Licenses for Minecraft: Education Edition article at the Minecraft Education website. Licenses cost $5 per year, per user. The free trial version will allow 25 free logins per teacher and 10 per student. A license can be purchased from authorized education partners, which can be checked at the authorized education partners website. 

It is also possible to purchase them directly from the Microsoft Store for Education, but you will once again need your school’s Office 365 account to be able to log in. Office 365 Education subscriptions are free for schools to set up. The above video will give you step by step instructions on how to get through the process of getting Minecraft Education Edition licenses for your school.

To set up an Office 365 Education account, if you don’t already have one, you will need to visit the Microsoft website and follow the instructions carefully.