It's Game On for Esports in Education

Video games have changed immensely over the years, and so have the people who play them. Having been popular among young people for decades, video games are now a legitimate global phenomenon experiencing explosive growth. Studies show that overwhelming majorities of teenagers and young adults play video games, and various projections estimate that the esports industry will become a multibillion-dollar market in the near future.

Even that term — “esports” — may be unfamiliar to many midcareer education professionals, and some might be tempted to dismiss the activity as a fad or a waste of time. However, a growing number of high schools and colleges across the country are implementing their own on-campus esports programs to capitalize on student interest, increase students’ engagement and sense of belonging, and (in the case of colleges and universities) entice prospects to enroll.