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
Hey, #EsportsEDU. I am Dr. Chris Haskell from Boise State @esports. I am a Clinical Assoc. Professor, Head Coach and co-director of Varsity eSports at the university. I have 60 student athletes competing in 5 different games.
Interesting data as to why kids ages 14-21 play video games, and just how many consider themselves “gamers.” #esportsedu
The myth of the lonely gamer playing in solitude is dead - The Washington Post https://t.co/PhiEy7o7uk
Intro: Welcome to the Inaugural #EsportsEDU chat. Please introduce yourself with name, location, role, and what game(s) you are currently playing? Please remember to use the #EsportsEDU hashtag!
This is a picture of myself with the @esportsBSU squad at the first collegiate conference championships. Pictured are the traveling squads for League of Legends, Rocket League and Overwatch. #EsportsEDU
Hello #esportsedu! I'm Tristan, coding teacher for 3-5, but hopefully moving to HS in a couple of years. Teach in Somerville, NJ and currently working through Far Cry 5.
Intro: Welcome to the Inaugural #EsportsEDU chat. Please introduce yourself with name, location, role, and what game(s) you are currently playing? Please remember to use the #EsportsEDU hashtag!
Can't wait to find some time to really chat about your program! Glad you can be part of this community as you have so much wisdom to offer! Great having the trailblazers help us figure out what to do and what NOT to do!!! #EsportsEDU
This is a picture of myself with the @esportsBSU squad at the first collegiate conference championships. Pictured are the traveling squads for League of Legends, Rocket League and Overwatch. #EsportsEDU
The format for our chat will be 1 Topic / 1 Question per week. The chat will last 30 minutes (7:30 - 8:00 pm ET). The goal is to build community and engage in discussion around the topic and the #Esports ecosystem in general Thank you for joining us! #EsportsEDU
The format for our chat will be 1 Topic / 1 Question per week. The chat will last 30 minutes (7:30 - 8:00 pm ET). The goal is to build community and engage in discussion around the topic and the #Esports ecosystem in general Thank you for joining us! #EsportsEDU
Tonight's Topic / Question:
Why #Esports? Why bring competitive gaming to schools?
Remember to retweet and comment on ideas that resonate with you and engage in sidebar discussions! #EsportsEDU
Steve from NJ here. I teach Game Design and Development to Middle School students (I really learn with and from them). I have a very active game club and want to start an #Esports club at our high school next year! Just got back into Stardew Valley now w/ COOP! #EsportsEDU
Tonight's Topic / Question:
Why #Esports? Why bring competitive gaming to schools?
Remember to retweet and comment on ideas that resonate with you and engage in sidebar discussions! #EsportsEDU
Carrie, teacher in SB parent of newly competitive gamer (R6, fortnite) I play openworlds mostly (Skyrim, fallout, sea of thieves) starting a gaming elective for my school #EsportsEDU
#EsportsEDU lots of opportunities for kids that are skilled at gaming and may not be skilled in other areas. They should be recognized for what they can do.
A1: I believe we should offer competitive gaming as an activity on par with varsity sports - the popularity of #Esports warrants it for sure. Not to mention that #Esports potentially serves an otherwise less represented group of students and honors their interest #esportsedu
Gaming is a major part of the culture of many kids, it’s also a career option for some and a good way for others to spend their time and keep busy. Also a great way to connect with people all over the world on a daily basis #EsportsEDU
#EsportsEDU lots of opportunities for kids that are skilled at gaming and may not be skilled in other areas. They should be recognized for what they can do.
Tonight's Topic / Question:
Why #Esports? Why bring competitive gaming to schools?
Remember to retweet and comment on ideas that resonate with you and engage in sidebar discussions! #EsportsEDU
AWESOME! And Welcome :) What will your elective cover? I teach game design and digital storytelling and have an after school gaming club. More of a casual club currently but definitely want to add a competitive club at our MS and HS #EsportsEDU
I love this point of connecting with ppl globally. So many activities in my school have students connect with others in area and state, but not the opportunity to meet others all over the world #EsportsEDU
Gaming is a major part of the culture of many kids, it’s also a career option for some and a good way for others to spend their time and keep busy. Also a great way to connect with people all over the world on a daily basis #EsportsEDU
I know that our athletic association in Georgia is adding esports soon. How do I get administrators and parents on board? Any resources out there? #EsportsEDU
Gaming is a major part of the culture of many kids, it’s also a career option for some and a good way for others to spend their time and keep busy. Also a great way to connect with people all over the world on a daily basis #EsportsEDU
I would love to, but I currently coach both drama and speech. I can't juggle them all. Our streaming company is interested in starting an esports component, so there's a possible way to make it happen #EsportsEDU
GREAT question and I think we will definitely approach it directly as a topic in an upcoming chat. I would reach out to some of the folks at @UCIEsports particularly @samton_ who leads their high school initiative - I spoke with @katieatplay today about their program #esportsedu
Please find someone at your school, then! I currently juggle 4 clubs in elementary, and if I go to HS they're wondering if I can come back for them! Hoping I can hand some off... #esportsedu
Had a conversation with a student today who felt strongly that it couldn't. I think it has potential but the randomness and other elements would have to be taken out / refined. #esportsedu
Curious about how people feel about the format with one question / more open discussion each week. @MrMillerReads and I thought it would provide a space for discussion and collaboration. Thoughts? #esportsedu
Why bring competitive games to schools? Because I am fully aware of the value of it for students because it didn’t exist for me! I would have been infinitely more outgoing and socially fluid. #EsportsEDU
Hi all. Glenham from TX. Father of an aspiring "Professional Video Game Player". 😀 Really interested in building a younger kids Tournament League / esports teams. Minecraft, LoL, Smash Bros. etc. Build a funnel for collegiate/prof teams like in traditional sports. #EsportsEDU
Here's a pushback I want to be prepared for--"Kids are already playing too many video games. That's the problem in our world. They need to be more physically active."
Best comebacks for these comments? #EsportsEDU
I think this is where we need to point to the reality that it's become a huge spectator sport and huge industry. I would also remind parents that it is important to honor their kids interests. And yes, they should go outside as well :) #EsportsEDU
Here's a pushback I want to be prepared for--"Kids are already playing too many video games. That's the problem in our world. They need to be more physically active."
Best comebacks for these comments? #EsportsEDU
As an outro, let's go with recap of your name, location, role, and key takeaway from tonight's chat (and maybe throw in a game you'd like to start playing) #EsportsEDU
We have been participating in Super League Gaming's Minecraft City Champs and even though they only see each other once a week we have seen a dramatic improvement in the level of the gameplay shown by the kids. #EsportsEDU
There are just as many opportunities for leadership, team building and strategy in these games as there are in traditional sports (baseball, football etc) #EsportsEDU
James from @FVStudioBoston here, formerly of @OfficeofEdTech.
#Esports is already affecting millions of students. It's up to us to shape how the field develops. How could we NOT have this conversation? The alternative is to stick our heads in the sand.
#EsportsEDU#edtech
Outro: Steve from NJ - I spend my days making video games with middle schoolers - takeaway - We need to really grow as a community - Le'ts do this! And game I'd like to play is League of Legends #esportsedu
