In recent years, the realm of education has witnessed a revolutionary transformation, one that bridges the gap between traditional academics and modern technology-driven interests. Esports, a form of competitive video gaming, has emerged as a powerful tool for enhancing student engagement, critical thinking, teamwork, and overall academic performance. However, the idea of improving student performance with esports is still not generally understood by educators today.
In order for students to get the most out of participation in esports clubs, schools and other education institutions need to work with their students to develop these skills, rather than leaving them to their own devices to do so. This blog delves into the fascinating world of improving student performance with esports through five specific goals, as well as the role that esports plays in making these goals achievable and shaping a brighter future for students.
5 Goals for Improving Student Performance with Esports
While the idea of improving student performance with esports in education and other academic settings may still seem unusual to some educators, it is absolutely a realistic aim. In order to reap the rewards from an esports program, you need structure and a plan of action. Let’s take a more in-depth look at five specific goals for improving performance outcomes for students with esports.
Goal #1: Improving Student Performance with Esports by Building Confidence
When it comes to academic achievement, confidence plays an important role. Studies show that the effect of confidence on performance outcomes in examinations can be as much as 12 percent. However, one of the big problems educators face when attempting to solve this problem is confusion between confidence and self-esteem. With regards to academic performance, confidence should be thought of as the student’s perception of their ability to accomplish the task at hand. This perception is likely to be influenced by experiences throughout their lives, and that is where improving student performance with esports becomes viable.
Through esports, students can develop confidence in a few ways. For instance, through trial and error or strategic thinking, the process of overcoming obstacles can help to reinforce the idea that problems have solutions and that students should persevere when they meet obstacles, rather than giving up or losing interest.
Goal #2: Boosting Overall Student Engagement with Esports
Another common goal when attempting to improve academic performance in schools is to boost student engagement. While student engagement is typically defined as engagement with learning activities, it is important to know that some definitions of student engagement emphasize engagement with the academic environment as a whole.
A natural extension of this line of thinking is that students should be encouraged to participate in extracurricular activities they enjoy, such as esports. This could help them to form a better relationship with the school as a whole and to develop a sense of belonging as well as improve learning outcomes through potential knock-on effects. For example, participation in the esports club may help some students improve their attendance by giving them something to look forward to. Improved attendance then means a better chance that students achieve their academic goals.
Goal #3: Using Esports to Assist with the Use of Gamification in Lessons
The concept of gamification in education is not especially new, but teachers are finding new ways to utilize it in schools. The idea behind gamification is to make lessons as enjoyable as possible, for as many students as possible, by introducing game design elements into the classroom. Making lessons more enjoyable can boost performance outcomes, and one of the ways esports can assist with this is by introducing more students to video gaming concepts. This enables them to better understand the various gamification elements introduced into the classroom and may help them to excel in those sessions as well.
While video gaming is a popular activity for school-aged children, not everyone in the school will have a video games console or a gaming PC at home. For some students, the esports club will represent their only real opportunity to regularly play video games and familiarize themselves with video game concepts.
Goal #4: Encouraging Students to Meet Academic Goals through Esports
Another way of improving student performance with esports is the need to meet or exceed academic goals to participate. In many schools, colleges, and universities, traditional sports teams and clubs are used to help students stay motivated and responsible for their academic progress by insisting that participation hinges on meeting or exceeding agreed academic targets. This is something that can be done through esports as well.
As outlined by theclassroom.com, a common message promoted by schools and colleges is that sports are extracurricular activities, and participation should be seen as a privilege and not a right. When this same principle is applied to esports, members of the esports club gain an understanding of the fact that they need to earn the right to take part in competitive gaming sessions. This provides a clear incentive for students to try their best during lessons and exams, to keep their grades up, or meet other academic goals set for them. For this approach to work to its full potential, it is also important that the esports club is made as fun and inclusive as possible so that people want to take part.
Goal #5: Improving Student Performance with Esports through Specific Skills Development
Finally, esports within academic settings can also help students develop some specific skills or abilities that can be applied to their wider studies. Competitive video game playing can help to improve fluidity in key areas like science, mathematics, and technology. This can be especially useful in academic institutions that emphasize STEAM education – science, technology, engineering, the arts, and mathematics. Beyond this, esports can help students to develop teamwork or collaborative skills, which can be useful across a range of different subject areas.
Problem-solving skills, decision-making skills, and communication skills can also be enhanced through esports, while the social skills developed through the club will also serve students well in all areas of life. The best esports clubs will work with students on an individual level, helping them to address weaknesses and identify areas of strength.
Summing It All Up
As the popularity of esports continues to grow and it becomes more widely embraced within academic settings, more educators are going to want to understand how to go about improving student performance with esports. After all, proponents of esports in schools insist on the fact that it offers benefits that extend beyond the esports club itself. As schools and educational institutions continue to recognize the potential of esports, they are not only addressing the evolving interests of students but also equipping them with the tools needed to succeed in an increasingly competitive and interconnected global landscape. By embracing esports, we are embarking on a journey that blurs the lines between leisure and learning, ultimately shaping a future where academic achievement and passion coexist harmoniously.
