Prodigy Learning and Minecraft Education unveil new AI credential
AI Ready Skills is the latest credential product, with associated in-game learning, from the partnership between Prodigy Learning and Minecraft Education. Available through Microsoft and channel resellers worldwide, or from Prodigy direct, the product is intended to prepare students for the nascent artificial intelligence (AI) era.
The Ireland-headquartered Prodigy Learning EdTech is obviously hoping to gain many student and school sign-ups by using the famously popular Minecraft name. It is the third launch since its partnership with Minecraft Education was launched in May last year. The two previous releases were Coding in Minecraft, which focuses on developing coding skills, and the Cyber in Minecraft product that focuses on cyber security education.
School systems in Alaska, North Carolina and Washington State in the US; plus in Northern Ireland, UK; and New South Wales, Australia, have already introduced the first two programs to their teacher and student estates. The partners are hoping for a similarly strong uptake for this latest AI Ready Skills program.
The collaboration brings together the immersive world of Minecraft, the best-selling video game of all time, with the educational solutions of Prodigy Learning, offering new opportunities to advance skills based on the popularity of the game.
The new AI focused product engages young and diverse learners through game-based learning and rewards their progress with credentials. It is an easy to teach solution that empowers educators with a comprehensive, future-focused curriculum that addresses the needs of tomorrow’s workforce.
The AI Ready Skills learning pathway is comprised of four units, which cover core AI topics including:
Understanding AI,
Generative AI,
Machine Learning,
& Responsible AI, covering appropriate governance and so forth.
At the end of the learning pathway, the AI Ready Skills capstone credential exam provides students with the opportunity to demonstrate the foundational AI skills they have learned while following the program. If successful, students receive an AI Ready Skills certificate and digital badge.
Educating the workforce of tomorrow
Commenting on the launch, Andrew Flood, chief executive officer (CEO) of Prodigy Learning, said:
“Artificial Intelligence is revolutionizing our world at an ever-increasing pace. Our shared vision for this product is to empower educators with the tools to prepare their students with the skills they need to thrive in this age of AI. Minecraft Education offers a unique learning environment for students to develop and prove these skills, and to understand and apply AI tools responsibly and safely.”
According to Allison Matthews, Head of Minecraft Education at Microsoft: "The launch of AI Ready Skills is a testament to our dedication to providing innovative and accessible learning solutions. By integrating AI education into the immersive world of Minecraft, we are not only making learning engaging and fun but also preparing the workforce of tomorrow with the essential skills they will need to succeed in an AI-driven world."
