The Rising Tide of Esports in Education

Purpose & objective

As a result of attending this presentation, attendees (educators, coaches, and IT professionals) will:
1. Understand the landscape and growing trend of Esports - both in education (K-12 and Higher Education) as well as professional;

2. Become familiar with the benefits (research-based and anecdotal) of esports in K-12 education to students including increased engagement for marginalized groups, improved attendance and higher GPAs;

3. Learn about the roadblocks and potential issues of esports including player toxicity and unhealthy behaviors;

4. Explore technology options and solutions to help them start an esports program in their school; and,

5. Receive additional resources to help them on their journey.

Outline

1. Introductions (5-10 mins)
- both of the presenters along with special guests (active gamers, current coaches, and equipment providers)
2. Overview of Esports in Education (10 mins)
- review of the trends in esports
- short 3-4 minute video
- discussion around different leagues and approaches to esports
3. Benefits of Esports to K-12 Education (10 mins)
- review of findings (research-based and anecdotal) of the impact of esports in K-12 (from organizations including NACEF, Acer, HSEL, etc.)
4. Common Concerns of esports (10 mins)
- exploration of equity plusses and minuses in esports
- look at health and emotional safety of player (to prevent player toxicity)
5. Starting an Esports Program (10 mins)
- presentation based on the work Intel and their partners have been doing in supporting the deployment of successful esports programs in K-12
6. Wrap-up, Q&A (5-10 mins)
-all participants will receive copies of an esports in K-12 white paper and a getting started guide

Supporting research

During the fall of 2019, the presenters published one of the first comprehensive reviews of esports in K-12 which can be found at https://www.k12blueprint.com/sites/default/files/attachments/Intel%20Esports%20in%20Education.pdf.