All Fun and Gamechangers: Exploring the Undeniable EducationalValue of Esports
Dr. Justin Morris is an academic philosopher turned tech writer. As a contributor at Insight, Justin applies his extensive knowledge of ethical issues to endorse sustainable practices and encourage forward-looking conduct within the tech industry.
The impact of esports goes beyond entertainment and lucrative sponsorship deals. Playing video games competitively is serious educational business.
“Esports provide significant opportunities for student development,” explains Joe McAllister, education esports expert at Insight.
“Essentially, esports are an extracurricular activity that builds community and creates a sense of belonging.”
McAllister is a former math teacher; I taught students as an academic philosopher. We both understand the importance of creating an inclusive learning environment. It allows all students — irrespective of age, gender, socioeconomic status or ability — to reap the full benefits of their education.
Esports are unique in this respect. “It’s an activity that appeals to the widest range of students,” McAllister says. “Esports are for everyone.”
But not everyone has access to the technology or expertise required to develop an esports program. That’s why Insight and Intel hosted an Esports Makeover Contest. In doing so, they showed that esports aren’t just about winning games; this is about winning futures.
Awareness plays a significant role in winning those futures. So, as a backdrop to the makeover, let’s consider what motivated Insight and Intel to host an esports contest.
If you were like me when you were younger, you had a recurring thought at 9 a.m. every Monday, Wednesday and Friday: “What’s the point of gym class?”
Now that I’m an adult, I know the point. It was to promote physical well-being and cultivate interpersonal skills. Honing those skills is why parents encourage their kids to participate in competitive sports.
As competition in sports involves winners and losers, it’s essential to keep it from becoming a zero-sum game.
This requires maintaining “an emphasis on learning over competition, and creating safe, fun, inclusive opportunities.”
Esports checks all the boxes.
They don’t require specific physical capabilities. They involve playing video games, which 90% of teenagers will agree is fun. And, with accessibility to broader audiences than traditional sports, they offer a more inclusive playing field for a wider range of participants.
But what do esports teach students? Both soft and hard skills.
As McAllister observes, “There are opportunities to foster teamwork, leadership and perseverance — the same skills we know and love in traditional sports.”
Backed by an established field of academic research
Kids of all ages and abilities are eligible to compete
At $1.72B and growing, esports will offer lucrative careers into the future
“In terms of hard skills,” McAllister adds, “students have the opportunity to gain experience in different careers, like IT, broadcasting and video editing.”
Taken together, esports remove gender and disability barriers. Participation gets kids excited about developing transferable skills. And they offer a path to a profitable career in video games — an industry that generates more revenue than film, music, NFL and video streaming combined.
Such wide-ranging benefits take us straight to the heart of Insight and Intel’s Esports Makeover Contest.
Insight and Intel’s contest was part of a broader initiative to modernize technology across the educational landscape.
Insight previously collaborated with Intel on an annual Connected Workplace Makeover Contest for commercial businesses. Now, they’re focusing on the burgeoning world of school esports programs.
Participation in these programs has nearly doubled to 140,000 students nationwide since 2020.
Insight and Intel’s Esports Makeover Contest is a strategic investment in the future of education and technology. Two grand prize winners — one high school-affiliated winner and one college/university-affiliated winner — would receive Intel gaming equipment valued at $30K.
Why Intel? Because it has been a driving force in the esports industry for nearly two decades. Intel’s technology advancements, such as Intel Hyper-Threading Technology, are not simply about improving player capabilities; they’re about lowering costs and making gaming more accessible.
These new Intel-powered gaming PCs will not only elevate the quality of our program but also help us grow and continue to impact the lives of students.
Intel’s commitment to diversity and inclusion initiatives like the Intel Challenge, AnyKey and Fair Play Alliance further aligns with Insight’s goal of shaping the future of esports. With Intel’s technology and Insight’s expertise, it’s the perfect combination for educational initiatives like an Esports Makeover Contest.So who are the esports trailblazers who won the makeover? Let’s meet them.
Cody Dalton is the head coach of the Redhawk Esports Team at Catawba Valley Community College (CVCC). His team won the grand prize in the Esports Makeover Contest. Dalton experienced the challenges associated with integrating esports into educational settings. But now he can step up his game. “Three years ago we started our Esports program at CVCC with a single Nintendo Switch. These new Intel-powered gaming PCs will not only elevate the quality of our program but also help us grow and continue to impact the lives of students.”
The perception of esports is changing, and we’re at the forefront of that change.
Similarly, Chris Aviles, Founder and President of Garden State Esports — a New Jersey non-profit league that encompasses 270 school districts — is breaking down cost-entry barriers with his team’s grand prize win.
“The perception of esports is changing, and we’re at the forefront of that change,” says Aviles. “We’re excited to help a deserving school have access to innovative learning experiences, develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills, and engage in fun and competitive esports activities that can boost their academic and social growth.”
Both winners of Intel and Insight’s Esports Makeover Contest exemplify how overcoming these challenges can lead to transformative educational experiences.
All it takes is the right resources, mindset and expertise to harness the potentially life-changing benefits of esports.
By now, I hope the value that McAllister sees in esports is obvious: “In turning passion for gaming into opportunities to inspire social skills and continuous learning, these programs prepare athletes for workforce success in tangential fields like computer science, graphic design, marketing and business.”
Whether it’s for a future in coding or digital marketing, Intel technology combined with Insight’s expertise is leading the way by creating the best kind of hands-on learning environments. You know — the kind students will actually want to get their hands on.
Be a gamechanger for thenext generation.Discover how Insight can makeover your esports program with the latest Intel-powered gaming PCs.
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