Beyond the Game: Transforming Learning Through Esports

It is not a secret that kids love playing video games. Therefore, incorporating video games into education should be enough to increase engagement, right? Well, not quite so. Gaming itself is a fun leisure activity enjoyed by many, including children. It is primarily a form of entertainment and recreation. It's about having fun and enjoying interactive experiences, whether alone or with friends.

If you are looking for a new way to reinforce learning and engage students, you should be looking into esports, or more specifically, esports education and game-based learning, which is all about organized, competitive play that extends far beyond the screen. With 64% of teens finding school boring and 30% seeing it as irrelevant to their future careers​, esports offers a way to turn disengagement into excitement.

8 Benefits of Esports in Education

Esports connects students' passions to tangible educational opportunities. By fostering teamwork and creating a sense of belonging, esports gives students a reason to look forward to school. When students feel engaged and valued, they show up—and when they show up, they succeed. The evidence is clear: esports is a game-changer in improving academic outcomes, reducing chronic absenteeism, fostering interest in stem and breaking down barriers and promoting diversity.

1. Improved Academic Outcomes with Esports and Video Games

The impact of esports on academic outcomes is measurable. Let's take a look at the facts:

• A California school district found that esports program participants achieved an average GPA of 2.70, compared to 2.43 for non-participants. The same district also found that, after implementing esports programs four out of five grade levels in a California school district met growth targets in English Language Arts (ELA) and Math, a significant improvement from the two grade levels meeting targets before.

• A study of over 12,000 high school students in Australia revealed that frequent gamers outperformed their peers in academic testing:

  • Math and Reading Scores: Gamers scored 15 points higher than average.

  • Science Scores: Gamers scored 17 points higher than average

• In a month-long study where games were integrated into classrooms for just 20 minutes a day, attendance increased by 21% and suspensions decreased by 27%.

  
  

2. Boosting Student Engagement and Attendance

Perhaps the most important value is that esports can boost student engagement and motivation, particularly for those who are not traditionally engaged in conventional sports or classroom activities. and therefore reducing chronic absenteeism. For those students, esports can provide a fun and engaging way to learn. It can help students develop a sense of community and belonging. Research suggests that the interactive and immersive qualities of games can significantly improve engagement and motivation.  

Esports motivates students to attend school by connecting learning with their passions. Schools with esports programs report up to 33.5% lower absenteeism compared to peers​. When students have something to look forward to, they’re more likely to show up.

3. Fostering Interest STEM

Many aspects of esports and video games require an understanding of technology and often involve game design and coding elements. This helps students develop a strong foundation in STEM subjects, which are increasingly important in the 21st-century workforce. Research has also established that games could enhance learning outcomes, particularly in STEM subjects, where complex concepts can be visualized and interacted with in a virtual environment.

4. Overlaps with CTE Pathways

That’s right! Esports overlap with many CTE pathways, mainly The Arts, Entertainment, & Design Career Cluster and Digital Technology Cluster because of the content of related esports curriculums. 

5. Careers in Esports

Esports encompasses various domains, from traditional roles such as marketing, HR, and finance to industry-specific positions like shout casters, coaches, event coordinators, and, you guessed it, professional players. It also includes surprising career options like beauticians and physical therapists, catering to professional players and teams' unique needs. Think of it this way: a football team isn't solely composed of players, and a pharmaceutical company doesn't exclusively collaborate with chemical engineers and pharmacists. Esports also overlaps with Career and Technical Education (CTE) pathways like digital arts, media production, and IT, providing students with a head start in high-demand fields​ The esports industry presents a many opportunities.

6. Collaborative and Strategic Problem-Solving

Games that resonate with students are those that mirror their interests and challenges. For instance, integrating popular esports games like Fortnite and Apex Legends into the curriculum can provide opportunities for students to learn coding, digital storytelling, and even economics within a relevant and exciting context. An example of this would be online video games, which involve in-game economies that can be used to teach students about economics. Since video games require players to monitor their environment constantly, make rapid decisions, and coordinate their motor skills, their information processing skills are constantly improving, allowing gamers to focus on relevant details while filtering out distractions. Esports also encourages critical thinking and enhances cognitive skills such as spatial awareness and reaction time. 

7. Breaking Down Barriers and Promoting Diversity

Esports is inherently inclusive, offering opportunities for individuals of all ages, genders, and backgrounds to compete and succeed. This inclusivity is crucial in breaking down barriers and promoting diversity in the gaming industry and beyond. Esports tournaments and events often feature diverse teams and celebrate individual achievements regardless of background, offering a powerful message of inclusivity and acceptance.

8. Game-Based Learning

Game-Based Learning, short for GBL, incorporates video games and game mechanics into the learning process. Instead of passively absorbing information, students actively engage with the material through challenges, quests, and problem-solving scenarios. This immersive approach makes learning fun, interactive, and incredibly effective. Aligning your GBL activities with your learning objectives and curriculum standards ensures that students are learning valuable skills and knowledge. For example, Minecraft’s Education Edition's open-ended world and limitless possibilities make it a perfect platform for GBL, where learning does not feel like a chore.

How Schools Can Integrate Esports?

There are multiple ways to use esports at your school and in your curriculum.

• Esports Curriculums: Esports can be utilized within the core curriculum in two main ways. One is through game based learning with educational platforms like Minecraft Education, students can explore traditional subjects such as math, chemistry, and media production in an interactive and engaging way. Second, esports directly supports CTE pathways by teaching technical and creative skills like cybersecurity, game design, and media production. These programs are tied to real-world applications and align with educational standards. Lessons often include project-based learning, giving students hands-on experience while fostering critical thinking and collaboration.

• Extracurricular: Schools can offer esports as an after-school program or as an esports club, providing students with a structured environment in which to practice and compete. This approach allows students to engage in esports without interfering with their academic responsibilities, letting students practice and compete in a structured environment while building soft skills like communication, leadership, and time management.

Esports serves as a high-interest content and engagement tool, offering a unique framework through which students explore curriculum-aligned subjects and skills relevant to their future careers aligned with their interests and passions. Positioning esports behind CTE pathways ensures clarity and purpose in the role it plays in educational approaches.

Schools can start small and scale up. Some might begin with a single esports club, while others integrate esports directly into their elective courses or CTE offerings. To support the integration of esports in schools, educators can leverage digital learning platforms and professional development courses on relevant topics.

How Esports Increases Student Engagement in K12?

Simply put, esports increases student engagement in K-12 education by tapping into the interests of digital native students. Through structured esports programs and clubs, students find a sense of belonging and motivation, leading to improved focus and participation in academic activities. This approach effectively connects students' passion for gaming with educational objectives, making learning more interactive and enjoyable.

In addition to academic benefits, When students work together to achieve a common goal, they learn to cooperate with others, resolve conflicts, and communicate effectively. These skills are essential for success in both school and the workplace. Esports is a growing trend in K-12 education, and for good reason. It is a fun and engaging way to get students excited about learning. By tapping into students’ passion for gaming, esports can help to improve academic achievement, reduce absenteeism and disciplinary problems, and develop essential life skills.

Esports Curriculums in High School vs Middle School

• Middle school esports Curriculums: The focus is primarily on introducing students to the basic concepts of gaming alongside essential topics like esports health, nutrition, sleep hygiene, and balancing gaming with studies. These programs are designed with a lighter weekly time commitment, catering to younger students' schedules and developmental stages. They aim to build foundational skills such as hand-eye coordination, teamwork, communication, and basic problem-solving.

• High school esports Curriculums: On this level, curriculums delve deeper into the esports realm and may require more time commitment. High school curriculums expand on the foundations laid in middle school, offering advanced courses in performance training, leadership, and decision-making. These courses are tailored to aid in students' professional development and readiness for potential esports careers. The skills honed at this level—strategic thinking, leadership, and adaptability—are not only crucial for excelling in esports but are also transferable to academic and professional success.

The Special Education Advantage of Esports and Video Games

Video games are really useful in Special Education because they grab students' attention and make learning more fun and engaging. They help reduce stress and make kids feel more involved and included.

Recent studies have revealed significant benefits of action video games for children with dyslexia, demonstrating notable improvements in reading abilities. 

In the context of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), video games have shown effectiveness in reducing inappropriate behavior and enhancing play skills and social engagement among children (1). These improvements extend to new game contexts, indicating the intervention's capacity to foster natural, unprompted social interactions and maintain these effects over time.

Furthermore, more research underscores the positive impact of computer games in enhancing impulse control and attention in children with ADHD, boosting motivation and performance, suggesting that gaming is a vital tool in sustaining concentration and impulsive behavior in these children.

Experts (1,2) also say that technology helps students with disabilities interact better and have the same chances to join in activities as everyone else. Plus, these games are a terrific way for kids with special needs to practice everyday skills, solve problems, and get ready to mix more easily with others. (3, 4)

Overall, video games offer substantial advantages in educational settings, particularly for children with special needs. They not only aid in improving communication and spatial skills but also cater to the unique needs of children with physical, sensory, and visual impairments, as well as those with ADHD, enhancing memory function and overall learning engagement. This evidence positions digital games as a valuable resource for educators seeking to support diverse learning needs in their classrooms.

Choosing the Right Games for Your School

The games played in middle and high school esports programs may vary based on age-appropriate content and skill levels. Middle school programs introduce students to a broader range of games, allowing them to explore different genres and discover their preferences. High school programs often focus on specific game genres, allowing students to specialize and develop expertise in their chosen area. 

While middle schools can choose to play games like Minecraft, Rocket League, and Brawhalla, high schools may go for League of Legends, Fortnite, and Valorant.

At Gameplan, we offer a wide variety of courses with varying skill levels. The pre-made curriculums and courses can be adapted specifically for each classroom. You can create your own content too!

Conclusion: Benefits That Go Far Beyond the Screen

By integrating esports programs, schools create environments where students feel valued, connected, and excited to learn. If you want to start an esports program at your school, many resources are available to help you get started. You can conduct your research, reach out to other schools with esports programs for advice and support, or let us help you get started.

Schedule a 30-minute meeting to learn more today!