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
Intro: Tristan from Somerville, NJ - my favorite game from this year has to be the new Far Cry! Haven't played the new God of War yet... also excited about Gloomhaven! #EsportsEdu
Steve from NJ - I teach game design and development at a middle school and run a pretty epic game club. Hoping to up our Esports game next year. Fav game of the year... is what remains of Edith finch new this year? #eSportsEdu
#esportsedu Jon. Social Media / Marketing for an esports tournament platform. Used to be involved with #highered and #edtech
playing lots of FARCRY 5 and Fortnite lately! Oh and am from Iowaaaa.
A1: such a difficult question. Glad we are addressing it. As a start we need to break through the existing stereotypes especially in terms of gender. We need to provide opportunities that truly make everyone feel welcome and part of #eSportsEdu
A1 I think it helps to show examples of all sorts of gamers not just young white men, if we as teachers/coaches have the attitude that gaming is for everyone and present it that way, it catches in in class #EsportsEdu
A1: All starts with the Teacher leader/Coach of the group I imagine. Ss will follow my lead as an inclusive person & leader - want to destroy the stereotypes associated with playing videogames. - #eSportsEdu
A1: I agree about welcoming all types of games, and finding the right leaders. But I wonder if we should start the Esports at an earlier age to foster these relationships #EsportsEdu
Q1a: When we talk of #Equirty#Esports in Education (or #Esports in general), what underrepresented groups raise the largest concern? What can we do toward a solution? #EsportsEDU
Yep! Part of why I love gaming in school is that is has so much potential to be an equalizer and binding agent if handled with equity and care #esportsedu
A1: All starts with the Teacher leader/Coach of the group I imagine. Ss will follow my lead as an inclusive person & leader - want to destroy the stereotypes associated with playing videogames. - #eSportsEdu
hmm, honestly no. Not n the context of this chat. An old app I worked on though (Ss to Ss comms) had to do so when we initially started our go-to-market strategy. We focused A LOT on making sure all groups of students @ our launch school felt comfortable using the app #esportsedu
I agree, I started one 3-5 and 130 students signed up. It was a lot for me to handle. Schools have to evolve now that we see what drives children. #EsportsEdu
Perhaps recruiting would also be important to get great representation - Ts know their students- plus if you have a club you know who your gamers are like @EdGamer stated #EsportsEDU
I think we also have to do a bit of recruiting or bring in people from different populations to share their gaming experience to show some demographics that they really can get into the sport, not everyone is a trailblazer some need a leader #esportsedu
hmm, honestly no. Not n the context of this chat. An old app I worked on though (Ss to Ss comms) had to do so when we initially started our go-to-market strategy. We focused A LOT on making sure all groups of students @ our launch school felt comfortable using the app #esportsedu
In my district (Title 1) I am also worried about equal access to the games across all populations. I think we should combat this through games in school #EsportsEdu
A1b: expose Ss to others similar to them who are successful! e.g. "Look at these people who are successful who are just like you! YOU CAN DO IT TOO!" #esportsEDU
(not sure if that exactly answers it, but an important point I believe nonetheless)
I will be printing the Braille dice to have in class with my RPG gear just so I am ready and also so that my students see that I assume anyone can play and am ready to accommodate them #esportsedu
#EsportsEdu The representation is truly that of the school when almost everyone wants to join. When they get in, though, many still have diverse interests.
So our solutions so far: model, have strong, positive leaders, have diversity in games, start young, and provide opportunities for everyone. Did I miss anything? #EsportsEdu
We need to chat about these types of accommodations! I have deaf and blind students in my classroom and school. Resources are VERY difficult to find. Some teachers modified a Catan board with Braille so a student could play. #EsportsEDU
A1b: I think a lot of games and many esport titles cost more money than many students would like to spend. But recently I've noticed alto of these esport titles going down in price making them more accessible to a wider audience. #esportsEDU
Yep we don’t all love the same games, having access to or talking about a variety of them helps some kids that don’t consider themselves “gamers” see that just because they may not love the current FPS doesn’t mean they aren’t gamers #esportsedu
#EsportsEDU we have great success by having many teachers play alomgside the Ss. We don't his early in the school year to break the us and them barrier
Outro: Glen, Minnesota, - I don't have a fav #ESports team yet...but soon! Great chat tonight-- will definitely be seeking your help when I start creating my own club :) #eSportsEdu
