Microsoft announced today that it is acquiring MinecraftEdu, a version of the popular video game created specifically for teachers and classrooms. Teachers in schools use the video game Minecraft to teach subjects from math to English to computer programming through MinecraftEdu. They use a modified version of the game first made in 2011 by an independent group of teachers and computer programmers -- Teacher Gaming LLC. Microsoft is validating their work by turning MinecraftEdu into the centerpiece of its own business plans for Minecraft as an educational tool.

The new version will launch this summer. There will be new features included—such as the ability for students to create learning portfolios, an enhanced multiplayer mode that eliminates the very intimidating need for teacher to create a classroom server, a simplified process for loading and saving worlds, and student logins with personalized avatars.

Community pages at http://education.minecraft.net will host crowd-sourced lesson plans and curriculum ideas. There will also be a new "Minecraft Mentors" page where newbies can seek guidance from more experienced teacher/players.