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 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.