Esports In Education: Benefits, Attendance Impact, And How To Get Started

The world of esports has been rapidly growing in popularity, captivating the attention of millions around the globe. But did you know that esports can also play a significant role in education? In this blog post, we will explore the benefits of integrating an esports curriculum into educational programs, discuss how to implement game-based learning, and learn about how esports in schools can be used as a vehicle for engagement and attendance.

5 Benefits of Esports in Education

The benefits of esports in education are not about students playing random games in their free time to have fun. When esports sits inside a clear structure, aligned with curriculum and CTE pathways, it becomes an engaging way to reach students who often feel disconnected from school.

Let us take you through five key reasons why esports is proving to be a game-changer in education.

1. Esports Boosts Student Engagement and Attendance

Esports taps into something most students already care about; video games. This interest keeps them engaged, and keeps them in the classroom.

A study in a California school district found that students involved in esports had a 33.5% lower absence rate compared to their peers. On average, these students attended school 7.34 more days, generating an additional $354,000 in funding through Average Daily Attendance (ADA). In addition to ADA funds, schools can access various state funding sources to support esports program expenses.

Esports Protects ADA Funds

A separate year long attendance study with three high schools in New Jersey showed similar results. Across 229 esports participants, average absences dropped from 10 days to 9 days per student. Programs regained about 259 student days of instruction and protected around $20,000 in ADA equivalent funding.

For districts, this means esports does more than create a new activity. It helps protect instructional time and funding in a way that is easy to explain to boards and families.

2. Esports Fosters Teamwork and Communication

Esports isn't just about individual skill. It's a team effort that requires effective communication and collaboration. Students do not win alone. They win when they share information, trust each other and strategize together.

Through structured play, students:

• Practice clear communication

• Learn to give and receive feedback

• Take on defined roles

• Experience both leading and supporting

These are the same skills they need in group projects, work based learning, and future jobs.

3. Esports Promotes Critical Thinking and Problem Solving 

Esports games often require strategic planning, game scenario analysis, and quick decision-making under pressure. These are all critical thinking skills that can be transferred to many other areas of life and learning. Teachers who have incorporated games into their lessons show that games increase the likelihood of students being more motivated to learn and show greater willingness to work with peers and engage in problem-solving. 

Teachers can pause or review gameplay and ask students to explain:

• What they saw

• What they tried to do

• Why they chose a specific action

• What they would do differently next time

4. Esports Enhances Digital Literacy

Students who play video games already navigate the digital world. Esports gives teachers a way to frame that activity to digital literacy so that students learn:

• How networks, devices and platforms interact

• How to communicate in online spaces

• How to manage digital identity and safety

When schools connect esports to courses like cybersecurity and game design, digital literacy becomes a concrete part of college and career preparation.

5. Esports Fosters Career Readiness

Behind every game there are roles in technology, media, and management. Esports opens doors to fields such as

• Game design and development

• Media production and broadcasting

• Marketing and social media

• Networking and cybersecurity

• Event management and operations

When students see that their interest in gaming links to paid work, they begin to imagine real pathways, not just hobbies.

How to Integrate Esports Into the Curriculum?

Esports allows for a flexible implementation for any learning environment such as:

• CTE programs

• Electives and enrichment

• ELA & Math extensions

• Summer schools

• After schools programs and clubs

• Support for ESE and at-risk students

One option is to use a structured esports curriculum as part of CTE, electives, or exploratory rotations. For example, schools can adopt courses such as:

• Careers in Gaming for broad exposure to game design, content creation, and digital forensics

• Careers in Esports for event planning, branding, broadcasting, and technical support

• Game Design Fundamentals for Unreal Engine based game design tied to a workforce credential

• Media Production Fundamentals for scripting, filming, and editing esports related content

• Cybersecurity Fundamentals for digital safety and security linked to industry certifications

These courses follow project based learning and align with career clusters. They fit into existing periods and count toward clear program goals.

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.

Use Gameplan to Implement Esports Curriculum

Designing a full esports curriculum from scratch takes time. Many teachers do not the extra hours to build and test a new course.

Gameplan gives educators ready to teach courses, professional development, assessments, and teacher tools that fit into CTE, electives, and extracurricular programs. This saves planning time and helps keep instruction consistent across classes and schools.

Our team has measured that using pre-built Esports Curriculums saves educators approximately 200 hours per teacher per course. Don't just take our word for it; hear from educators who have experienced the benefits of Gameplan firsthand.

Conclusion: A New Way to Reach Students

Esports gives schools a practical way to reach students who often feel unseen in traditional settings. When programs use clear curriculum and defined goals, esports supports engagement, attendance, digital literacy, and career readiness.

For leaders, it offers a way to protect ADA funds and show families that student interests connect to real opportunities in technology and media.

With the right tools and support, educators can bring esports into classrooms in a way that fits their context and resources.

Schedule a 15-minute meeting to learn more today!