‘The New Trend in Education: Scholastic Esports’ By Bryan Dickens, CCO of Gameplan

Credit: Bryan Dickens, CCO of Gameplan

The world of education has undergone many changes over the last few years. Remote learning practices became critical during the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to the introduction of many educational technologies and strategies to develop. It became increasingly more work to retain student attention, attendance, and engagement. This created a need for newer strategies and methods of instruction to increase learning and keep up with the rapidly changing world of education. One such strategy is esports. Yes! You read that right!

Utilizing Student Passions
You might be thinking “Why esports and not gaming?” Well, while the two terms are interchangeably used, there is a difference. Gaming refers to the leisure activity of playing a game. Esports, on the other hand, is an organized, structured, and competitive form of play. That’s why we call it esports education or scholastic esports, because of the way it is utilized, which is through close monitoring and guidance from educators.

A quick look at the statistics will show you that 97% of teenagers play video games, and half of them play every day. So why not utilize the passion of these kids and combine it with education? This is why esports is emerging as a new method of instruction and is being adopted by more and more schools in the United States and all over the globe. It can be formatted both as an extracurricular or curricular activity.

One great example of this and one of the most popular video games that are used in this manner is Minecraft’s Educators Edition, in which students can learn subjects like chemistry, coding, and math. Other games that are not primarily developed for educational purposes can be leveraged in the same manner or used in the context of an extracurricular activity or as a student club.

Benefits of Using Esports in Schools
One of the reasons esports in the classroom works is that it creates a connected learning environment. Connected learning integrates interest-driven learning, supportive social relationships, and educational opportunities. Esports harnesses student interest and engages students with cooperative activity and social-emotional learning, resulting in authentic connections and career opportunities through STEM and CTE. Research also shows that scholastic esports fosters a sense of belonging and community, resulting in students attending classes regularly. It is a particularly good alternative for those students who are not interested in traditional sports as well.

Esports is an incredible tool for students with disabilities. It has been shown that technology helps special education students interact better and have the same chances to join in activities as their peers as well as practice everyday skills and prepare them for seamless social integrations.

Creating New Career Paths
You might have come across the big and glamorous events where two teams are competing against each other and there is a big prize at the end. Those professional athletes that you see playing those games and competing are just a small glimpse of the entire esports industry. The esports industry surpasses 1 billion U.S. dollars in revenue, expanding beyond professional players.

From game designers and developers to lawyers, nutritionists, physical therapists, audio engineers and community managers, there are many paths to explore.

How to Afford It?
First, start small and use what you have. You don’t need an entire classroom of high-end computers to begin. One console, one computer, and a dedicated space might be all you may need. Your best advisors and helpers will be your students, don’t hesitate to ask them for help.

Depending on the resources you have, you can always expand. But luckily, there are several state funds and private grants available for you to use just for this purpose. Esports programs are eligible for state funds because they align with key educational goals of the current fiscal year, such as reducing absenteeism and increasing student engagement. Title I, II, III IV, IDEA, and ESSER funds can be utilized in this effort. There are also many private grants to choose from.

In conclusion, the new trend in education is esports, a powerful new method of instruction. If implementing esports into your curriculum appears to be challenging, consider starting an esports club and get help from your students. Embrace the challenges, learn from the experiences of others, and forge your own path.

Meet Our Contributor — Bryan Dickens
Bryan Dickens , CCO of Gameplan, has over 20 years of experience in education, psychology, and technology. Prior to joining Gameplan, he was part of growing EdTech, HRTech, and Cybersecurity startups to market values of over $1 billion. Bryan currently sits on multiple higher education and K-12 advisory boards consulting on advanced STEM education and advises Fortune 500 corporations on global learning and workforce preparedness. His role at Gameplan is entrenched in expanding and quickly adapting to education needs by utilizing technology to help learners of all ages reach their potential. Learn more about Bryan’s work here.