Competitive gaming is making it to the mainstream! Competitions are selling out venues like Madison Square Garden and online streaming of Esports is as popular as viewing of professional athletic events. Colleges are starting to provide scholarships for competitive gaming. It is time to build the pipeline to prepare students for these opportunities while honoring their interests and valuing their skills. This chat is aimed at building a community around the growth of Esports in grades 6 though 12 which will naturally feed into the college programs. Join us for the weekly #EsportsEDU chat at 7:30 pm ET. It is a 30 minute chat that will have one question / topic each week to guide the discussion. Use the hashtag #Esportsedu or join us via participate.com at participate.com/chats/EsportsEDU
Good evening! John Robertson of @TiptonHS! Love esports, and have a passion for bringing it to schools. Currently watching the Overwatch League. #esportsEDU
Many of us are trying very hard to bring more diversity to gaming but it isn’t always easy. How are we making sure that we are recruiting a diverse population of players? What are you doing to make sure your program is a safe place for all your players? #esportsEDU
Don't be afraid to reach out to strong, positive personalities who you think might not be "gamers." They may find they love it, and then encourage others to try.
Looking at you @mary__tina@carter__chloe
They're now on our comp teams! #esportsEDU
#esportsedu I haven’t done much with esports but my robotics/coding cubs are about 50/50. I seek out girls I know are interested but might not think to join. Starting an all girl club, something I resisted for years, really helped.
Maybe not a direct answer to address diversity but women do a lot of cosplay of video games. Kind of like cheerleading. Also anyone see Sneaky from C9 cosplay as the opposite sex characters? #esportsedu
I’ve had to counsel boys out that were toxic. I stay on top of their language and how they all treat each other. It’s exhausting but it pays off. #EsportsEDU
I think some of the answer to this goes back to what @mr_isaacs and I talk about all the time: The #esportsedu "ecosystem" There is something for everyone in esports, as teachers we need to build out the structure to engage everyone, not just the players.
Many of us are trying very hard to bring more diversity to gaming but it isn’t always easy. How are we making sure that we are recruiting a diverse population of players? What are you doing to make sure your program is a safe place for all your players? #esportsEDU
I think having a visible female in leadership helps, or at least some girls on the team to start, seeing women in gaming can often be enough to get others to try it out or feel comfortable enough to join #esportsEdu
Planning to work on developing #esports similar to our women in #sportsanalytics initiatives - provide open opportunities and develop the culture of full inclusion for all. Since we are very early in our development stages in our district, we make this a core focus #esportsedu
I also had conversations with my ladies about what made them most comfortable. Some may want "girls events" and others may hate the idea. It's important to ask! Modify for what fits the needs of your students. #esportsEDU
I do but a supportive, aware male advisor can be just as affective. I also got some older girls to join as mentors. The head cheer leader and homecoming queen saying she likes coding is powerful stuff. #EsportsEDU rtsedu
My goal is to provide a welcoming environment. Our #lunchbunch is open to anyone who wants a casual place to hang and play or work. Good number of girls - game club has more girls than in the past. Wish it were closer to 50/50 but it’s moving in right direction. #esportsedu
Many of us are trying very hard to bring more diversity to gaming but it isn’t always easy. How are we making sure that we are recruiting a diverse population of players? What are you doing to make sure your program is a safe place for all your players? #esportsEDU
Is building this easer at a public school setting where you already have access to a student body and have trust and a base relationship set up? I find recruiting women and minorities harder for an independent program where your starting cold #esportsedu
That’s what I love about gaming in general. If I play rocket league, I don’t know if they are male or female. I respect them for how they play and that’s it. Should be the same in an organization. #esportsedu
I think the best way to ultimately recruit diverse group is for people to see themselves better represented. Kind of a chicken / egg thing. #esportsedu
Many of us are trying very hard to bring more diversity to gaming but it isn’t always easy. How are we making sure that we are recruiting a diverse population of players? What are you doing to make sure your program is a safe place for all your players? #esportsEDU
I think it might be yeah. I think there's also a trust thing. Non-players may be more likely to be engaged when they know their teacher is trying to create a pathway for them to be involved. #esportsedu
Is building this easer at a public school setting where you already have access to a student body and have trust and a base relationship set up? I find recruiting women and minorities harder for an independent program where your starting cold #esportsedu
I wish the game content and art work was more welcoming to girls and students of color. Its hard to talk about toxicity the play a game where the women are scantily, clad and mostly cleavage. #esportsedu
I wish the game content and art work was more welcoming to girls and students of color. Its hard to talk about toxicity the play a game where the women are scantily, clad and mostly cleavage. #esportsedu
#esportsedu I'm currently in the early planning stages. I've got approximately 180 students grades 6-12. I'm curious as to the % of total students on your team or that participate in a game club?
Do you have teachers in local schools you could reach out too? That is how I got looped in. A regional person looking to start a league reached out to area teachers. #EsportsEDU
In reply to
@thechocmoojoo, @misterwashburn, @mr_isaacs
There may be this gendered idea that video games are a waste of time and some of our middle and high school girls feel pressure to perform and do it all. #esportsedu
Thank you for joining us, feel free to reintroduce yourself, follow anyone that you think can help on your journey through gaming/esports and let us know what you’d like to see covered in the future #esportsEDU
I actually found it easier to gather club members for robotics that were racially diverse than it was to create a club that was diverse in gender. #EsportsEDU
In reply to
@pentaclethra, @thomarie, @mr_isaacs, @thechocmoojoo
Let them know what the game options are ASAP. Almost all of my kids hadn’t played RL in years but we’re willing to pick it up to be part of #EsportsEDU others didn’t want to play and moved on.
In reply to
@mrnultisanerd, @mr_isaacs, @misterwashburn, @haskell, @RocketLeague
Let them know what the game options are ASAP. Almost all of my kids hadn’t played RL in years but we’re willing to pick it up to be part of #EsportsEDU others didn’t want to play and moved on.
In reply to
@mrnultisanerd, @mr_isaacs, @misterwashburn, @haskell, @RocketLeague
