Why should Esports be in school?

In recent years, esports has grown in popularity worldwide. It is a form of competitive video gaming where players and teams compete against each other in organized tournaments. As a result, Esports is gaining more recognition as a sport, and schools have started incorporating it into their programs. This blog post will explore the importance of esports in schools.

Esports and Education

Esports can be a valuable addition to a school's curriculum as it combines both gaming and education. Esports can help students develop skills in areas such as problem-solving, critical thinking, communication, teamwork, and decision-making. These skills are essential in today's society and can benefit students in their future careers.

A study by the University of California, Irvine, found that students who played esports showed higher levels of engagement, school pride, and a sense of belonging to their school community. The study also showed that esports helped students improve their GPA and attendance rates. This study demonstrates that esports can have a positive impact on academic achievement.

Esports and Mental Health

Esports can also have a positive impact on mental health. Video games have been shown to improve cognitive function, reduce stress, and increase social connections. Participating in esports tournaments can also help students build self-confidence and reduce anxiety. The social aspect of esports can also help students who struggle with socializing in traditional extracurricular activities.

Esports and Diversity

Esports has a unique advantage in terms of diversity. Traditional sports can be limited in terms of gender and physical ability. Esports can be more inclusive as it does not rely on physical attributes. Esports can be an excellent opportunity for female students to participate in competitive activities traditionally dominated by men. Esports can also help bridge the gender gap in STEM fields, as many video games incorporate science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

Esports and Career Opportunities

Esports is a rapidly growing industry with numerous career opportunities. Esports teams require staff in various areas, including management, coaching, and analytics. There is also a growing demand for esports broadcasting, marketing, and production professionals. By incorporating esports into their programs, schools can provide students with opportunities to learn about the industry and develop highly valued skills in the workforce.

Read more: How to start an esports program in your school

Esports and Educators

"I had a student graduate last year who told me that he was going to drop out. But then we announced esports and that's what saved him."

Educators have recognized the importance of esports in schools. Here are some quotes from educators about the impact of esports on students:

"Esports have opened many doors on our campus and in our district. Students who normally wouldn't fit in or who didn't feel like they had a place to go on campus to share their interests now have a group and an environment to call their own."

Brent Willis, Association of Placentia Linda Educators

"Esports programs bring together kids from all walks of life, they promote learning communication skills, team play and game theory."

Jason Parker', Valencia High School

"Many studies have examined psychological correlates of and consequences of video gaming, and the results overwhelmingly support the idea that video gaming produces many of the same kinds of benefits as other forms of play,"

Professor Peter Gray

"Don't reinvent the wheel. There are great support systems available in CIF (California Interscholastic Federation), NASEF (North American Scholastic Esports Federation), and other leagues. Ready or not, esports is coming to every public school over the next few years. Embrace it, since it's good overall for kids!"

Dan Eliot, Yorba Linda High School

"[Esports] offers an opportunity that maybe these kids don't have with traditional sports. They're not interested in it. It's another opportunity to build teamwork and competition."

Nathan Elias, Robert Morris University

"Esports reach a wider selection of the student population than any other extracurricular activity. Competitive gaming reaches kids who have never participated in any other school activity,"

Timothy Evans, Wolfe County High School

"I had a student graduate last year who told me that he was going to drop out. He didn't like school. It wasn't for him. But then we announced esports and that's what saved him. He graduated and now he's in college,"

Ashley Hodge, Colquitt County High School

As you can hear, esports gives students something to be engaged in that drives their interest in school overall.

Conclusion

Esports can be a valuable addition to a school's curriculum. It can help students develop essential skills such as problem-solving, critical thinking, communication, teamwork, and decision-making. Esports can also positively impact mental health and provide opportunities for female students to participate in competitive activities traditionally dominated by men. Esports can also help students learn about the esports industry, which is a rapidly growing field with numerous career opportunities.

Educators have recognized the importance of esports in schools and are increasingly incorporating it into their programs. The popularity of esports in schools has grown rapidly in recent years, with over 8,700 schools and colleges in the United States having an esports program.

Esports is more than just playing video games. It is a sport that requires strategy, teamwork, and critical thinking. By incorporating esports into their programs, schools can provide students with opportunities to develop essential skills and prepare them for the future workforce. Esports is an exciting and growing industry that has the potential to create new opportunities for students and educators alike.

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