Beyond the Screen: Unlocking the Unexpected Benefits of 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 confines of the screen.

What is the Educational Value of Esports?

The educational value of esports is immense. In an overview, esports in schools can provide students with many unique learning opportunities and impact their journey. 

➀ Student Engagement and Participation

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. 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.  

Based on studies, Using technology in the classroom results in a 51% increase in student motivation to learn, a 30% increase in students applying their newly learned knowledge to practical problems, and a 23% increase in taking ownership of their learning. Games also allow for immediate feedback and adaptability to different learning paces, crucial for individualized learning experiences.

➁ Interest in STEM Fields

Many aspects of competitive gaming require an understanding of technology and often involve game design and coding elements. This can help students develop a strong foundation in STEM subjects, which are increasingly important in the 21st-century workforce. Research has established that games could enhance learning outcomes, particularly in STEM subjects, where complex concepts can be visualized and interacted with in a virtual environment. This extension of the real world allows students to explore concepts in a safe and controlled environment and to make mistakes without fear of consequences. This can lead to deeper understanding and better retention of material.

➂ 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. The esports industry presents a multitude of opportunities.

➃ 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. 

➄ 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.

➅ 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.

Overall, the educational value of esports is significant. Esports can help students develop various vital skills, including critical thinking, problem-solving, teamwork, communication, leadership, digital literacy, and engagement. As esports continues to grow in popularity, it is likely that we will see even more research and interest in the educational benefits of this emerging field.

How to Integrate Esports into  Education?

Schools interested in integrating esports into their programs should consider factors like technology infrastructure, coaching staff, and curriculum integration. Building a supportive esports ecosystem involves collaboration between educators, students, and the community. The most common way of integrating esports into education is through curriculums or as an extracurricular activity.

Esports Curriculums

Integrating esports into the curriculum requires careful planning and consideration. Educators must identify relevant subjects and learning outcomes that align with the principles of scholastic esports, and they can create an immersive and interactive learning environment that taps into students' passion for gaming by designing esports-based lesson plans and projects. To support the integration of esports in schools, educators can leverage digital learning platforms that provide a structured framework for incorporating esports into the curriculum. In these programs, students participate in organized teams, learn about esports health, develop strategic thinking, and learn the value of digital citizenship and cybersecurity.

Extracurricular Activities

One of the best and easiest ways to incorporate gaming as an extracurricular activity is through esports clubs. Starting an esports club can profoundly impact student engagement, mental health, and academic performance. One of the standout features of esports is its inherent inclusivity. Esports provides a medium that attracts a diverse range of students to participate in organized school activities. Joining an esports club allows students to make friends who share their interests, gain confidence as part of a team, and develop valuable physical and cognitive skills that extend far beyond the school environment. Don't be intimidated by the game titles; you can take the lead in coaching these games for your students. 

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

In middle school esports programs, 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 programs, on the other hand, 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.

How Can Digital Games Transform Learning in Special Education?

Digital 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 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

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!