Crafting knowledge block by block: a systematic review on the educational potential of Minecraft in schools

The integration of digital technologies in education has led to innovative pedagogical approaches, with the videogame Minecraft emerging as a versatile platform for game-based learning. This systematic review examines recent literature on Minecraft’s educational applications in formal classroom set...

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Main Authors: Nadia Di Leo, Luigi Traetta
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Firenze University Press 2025-04-01
Series:Italian Journal of Educational Technology
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.ijet.itd.cnr.it/index.php/td/article/view/1379
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author Nadia Di Leo
Luigi Traetta
author_facet Nadia Di Leo
Luigi Traetta
author_sort Nadia Di Leo
collection DOAJ
description The integration of digital technologies in education has led to innovative pedagogical approaches, with the videogame Minecraft emerging as a versatile platform for game-based learning. This systematic review examines recent literature on Minecraft’s educational applications in formal classroom settings. The study aims to evaluate Minecraft’s integration into school curricula, exploring its benefits, challenges, and effective implementation strategies. A qualitative synthesis of 13 peer-reviewed articles published between 2019 and 2024 was conducted, covering diverse educational contexts from kindergarten to secondary schools across various subjects. Findings indicate that Minecraft-based interventions can enhance spatial thinking, foster creativity, improve engagement, and support the teaching of abstract concepts. However, successful implementation requires careful consideration of curriculum alignment, assessment methodologies, and teacher training.
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institution OA Journals
issn 2532-4632
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language English
publishDate 2025-04-01
publisher Firenze University Press
record_format Article
series Italian Journal of Educational Technology
spelling doaj-art-4d4538cab60f4fb19e2ff4a801a1e4b92025-08-20T02:19:16ZengFirenze University PressItalian Journal of Educational Technology2532-46322532-77202025-04-0110.17471/2499-4324/1379Crafting knowledge block by block: a systematic review on the educational potential of Minecraft in schoolsNadia Di Leo0https://orcid.org/0009-0004-2919-4096Luigi Traetta1https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7785-9751University of FoggiaUniversity of Foggia The integration of digital technologies in education has led to innovative pedagogical approaches, with the videogame Minecraft emerging as a versatile platform for game-based learning. This systematic review examines recent literature on Minecraft’s educational applications in formal classroom settings. The study aims to evaluate Minecraft’s integration into school curricula, exploring its benefits, challenges, and effective implementation strategies. A qualitative synthesis of 13 peer-reviewed articles published between 2019 and 2024 was conducted, covering diverse educational contexts from kindergarten to secondary schools across various subjects. Findings indicate that Minecraft-based interventions can enhance spatial thinking, foster creativity, improve engagement, and support the teaching of abstract concepts. However, successful implementation requires careful consideration of curriculum alignment, assessment methodologies, and teacher training. http://www.ijet.itd.cnr.it/index.php/td/article/view/1379MinecraftGame-Based LearningSkill DevelopmentFormal EducationEducational TechnologyTechnology Enhanced Learning (TEL)
spellingShingle Nadia Di Leo
Luigi Traetta
Crafting knowledge block by block: a systematic review on the educational potential of Minecraft in schools
Italian Journal of Educational Technology
Minecraft
Game-Based Learning
Skill Development
Formal Education
Educational Technology
Technology Enhanced Learning (TEL)
title Crafting knowledge block by block: a systematic review on the educational potential of Minecraft in schools
title_full Crafting knowledge block by block: a systematic review on the educational potential of Minecraft in schools
title_fullStr Crafting knowledge block by block: a systematic review on the educational potential of Minecraft in schools
title_full_unstemmed Crafting knowledge block by block: a systematic review on the educational potential of Minecraft in schools
title_short Crafting knowledge block by block: a systematic review on the educational potential of Minecraft in schools
title_sort crafting knowledge block by block a systematic review on the educational potential of minecraft in schools
topic Minecraft
Game-Based Learning
Skill Development
Formal Education
Educational Technology
Technology Enhanced Learning (TEL)
url http://www.ijet.itd.cnr.it/index.php/td/article/view/1379
work_keys_str_mv AT nadiadileo craftingknowledgeblockbyblockasystematicreviewontheeducationalpotentialofminecraftinschools
AT luigitraetta craftingknowledgeblockbyblockasystematicreviewontheeducationalpotentialofminecraftinschools