Esports in schools and why it benefits students.
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Esports in schools and why
it benefits students.
By James O’Hagan
Within the past year, you may have seen the word “esports” come across a newsfeed,
heard your students talk about it, or in an article you may have read. The recent expansion
of esports into mainstream culture has resulted in a lot of questions about its long-term
viability. Some are not even really sure how to answer the question “what is esports?”
Esports is organized competitive multiplayer video games. In education, we are always looking to engage students in
Much like how when we talk about “sports,” it encompass- ways we have not been able to in the past. Pew Research
es games/events like baseball, basketball, football and shows 97% of boys and 83% of girls ages 13 to 17, identify
swimming. There are a lot of games that fall into the realm as being a gamer of some kind.1 Those demographics cut
of esports, with some of the most popular being titles such across race and socio-economics. Imagine how different
as League of Legends, Overwatch, Super Smash Bros. our schools would look if those same demographics
Ultimate, Rocket League and, of course, Fortnite. But while identified as artists, or as dancers, or musicians. The
there may be those who dedicate many hours to playing difference being no one is told they draw too much, or
these games, it does not necessarily constitute competing dance too much, or play an instrument too much. The
in esports. Though I may hit a baseball in a batting cage messaging for video games has largely been they are a
for several hours, it does not mean I am a baseball player. waste of time. But this is the modern space children are
The difference is similar between “gaming” and “esports.” choosing to play, and play is at the heart of esports.
Esports takes organization and dedication similar to
traditional sports.
Now esports is moving into education, with some
wondering if playing video games in their school is
appropriate. But would you be so quick to shut off your
child’s video game system if you knew that it could be a
portal to a scholarship at an international university, or a
career in a billion-dollar industry? What about if it led to
a reduction in your child’s anxiety, better connections
with his/her peers or an interest in developing better
sleep and nutritional habits?
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1
Source: Teens, Social Media & Technology 2018. PEW RESEARCH CENTER survey conducted March 7 to April 10, 2018.
To properly embrace esports in education, and Having these children intrinsically motivated to be part of their
harness its potential, one must think beyond the school’s esports experience, the conversation now begins to
games. To have these demographics interested in shift toward things typically not associated with video games:
something to this level, in this case “gaming,” we positive mental and physical health. It is important to note at
a school level, we are not focused on creating professional
must tap that intrinsic motivation and start to look
esports athletes. Because of the larger ecosystem being
at where we can further engage students.
introduced to children involved in esports, calling them
“esports athletes” is a disservice. The term better used would
It starts with five core reasons: be “scholar gamer” as it encompasses the idea of the larger
1. Redefine athletic culture efforts to develop an ecosystem.
2. Diversify opportunities for student participation
As part of this ecosystem, we do employ aspects of traditional
3. Promote good mental and physical health sports training because research shows by including activities
4. Create career and collegiate scholarship pathways like weight training, we can help develop complex reasoning
5. Honor the importance of play skills or meditation so students may keep their heart rates
steady at the peak of competition, or aerobic training as we
hope to promote problem solving skills. And where mental
To redefine athletic culture, esports allows children of all races health is a concern, the two best ways to promote good mental
and genders to compete in a space where those aspects of health is with positive adult interaction and through play. With
their identity are not as prominent or important to their overall esports, we are putting our children into an experience where
performance. Esports brings opportunity for everyone to come both play and a mentor are prevalent.
together in a shared space around a love of gaming that can be
safer than other unregulated online gaming spaces. Colleges have also begun to take note of esports and are
attracting students with scholarships of varying sizes. In
By bringing these children together, you can now begin to 2023, there will be an estimated $100 million in scholarship
diversify opportunities for student participation. No longer money available related to esports. The collegiate programs
are students tracked into one activity or another based on vary in level of quality of experience, as all colleges do, based
their physical or mental abilities. And once we have children largely on the goals of the program. There is quickly becoming
engaged in school activities they enjoy, research shows a fit for everyone. But in order to access these scholarships, the
their grade point average increases and their attendance opportunity is greatly enhanced when high schools formally
improves, which leads to an overall increase in high school embrace esports into their school culture.
graduation rates.
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Probably the most important aspect of esports to be
considered is this is all about play at its heart. This is the
space our children are choosing to play. We have a generation
of students who have grown up in the age of “No Child Left
Behind” that places a high emphasis on high stakes testing,
which largely has forced play to be left behind. By providing
these environments for children to play, we are helping to
defray the issue of online toxicity, work with our children in
their play spaces, and help them navigate them as we would
a traditional playground.
As adults, most of us are standing on the edge of a virtual
world that our children have already entered. Esports provides
a realm to master their passions and develop tangible
opportunities. Let’s pick up a controller and join them there.
About the author:
James O’Hagan is a leader in connecting and promoting esports in education. He has had a role in starting and growing esports teams in two
large urban school districts. He actively promotes esports as being a medium to something more for students beyond the games. His podcast,
The Academy of Esports delves into topics surrounding esports and education and connecting into powerful ideas to increase student agency,
motivation, and college and career pathways. James is a doctoral candidate at Northern Illinois University in the field of instructional technology
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