Classroom

Esports Programs Grow in Rural and Charter Schools

K–12 rural and charter schools need to approach esports thoughtfully due to their locations and resources.

Twitter

Cari Warnock is the CDW education ambassador for K-12 scale. She has more than 20 years of experience in public education and is focused on building strategy and alliance networks.

Gabe Arias

Gabe Arias is a senior manager for digital edtech at CDW. He is a passionate technology sales leader with 15 years of experience helping organizations in the education, government and private sector modernize their technology environments to elevate the end-user experience.

Josh Whetherholt

Josh Whetherholt is an education learning environment adviser for CDW•G’s esports initiative. A background in education and gaming, plus experience coaching and competing in sports, allow him to understand the complexity and nuance of competitive K–12 esports programs.

Esports programs are a great way for charter schools to attract and retain students. As these institutions vie for enrollment, they don’t just need programs that set them apart, they need programs that interest today’s students.

Kids today are already playing video games. This generation grew up with digital platforms, from tablets to consoles. By building esports programs, charter schools can capture students’ interest and build connections throughout their communities.

Kaiden Hudson, former director of educational technology and systems at Epic Charter Schools, found that students could connect to other students virtually to build a community through esports. This helped those who otherwise felt isolated socially or physically because of the rural location of their school.

Click the banner below to read more esports stories and best practices for K–12 teams.

Despite the benefits of a thriving esports program in smaller or more rural schools, these institutions often face unique challenges getting clubs or teams started. When facing hurdles such as a remote location or limited resources, here’s how school leaders can adapt:

Make Esports Possible for Any School, Anywhere

Location plays a big role in the creation of an esports program.

In rural areas, it’s difficult for student athletes to travel to compete. Many already have long bus rides to and from school, and traveling to another district isn’t always feasible. Esports athletes, however, can compete online.

This connection is helping bring charter schools together. Charter school leaders are reaching out to one another within their communities and beyond to organize competitions for their esports students. This type of community comes naturally to many charter school students, who are used to networking around the world as part of their education.

However, some schools face challenges with the internet itself. Connections aren’t always fast or reliable in rural areas, which can impact a team’s ability to succeed. Esports is a game of milliseconds, and even a slight lag can ruin students’ chances of competing. It may be helpful for schools to perform a wireless site survey before building out their esports program. This could help them determine where they have the best connection or how to make improvements to their network before investing heavily in esports equipment.

Another solution for schools with unreliable connectivity is Network as a Service. NaaS partners often integrate with major ISPs to provide as-needed support for schools.

Successful Esports Programs Take Teamwork and Adaptability

In their infancy, esports programs often face staffing difficulties, especially when they’re started by a single, eager staff member. Trying to run an esports program solo can quickly lead to burnout, so it’s important to build relationships within your school and community to get a successful program off the ground.

For example, if new leaders and coaches work with teachers, they’ll often find that esports lessons can be built into existing classes, such as journalism or media classes. Esports pioneers should also connect early with the school’s IT and facilities departments. IT teams will have insights on network capabilities and wireless site surveys, while facilities teams can help find and upgrade a space.

Click the banner below for technology solutions for your school’s esports arena.

While it’s tempting to imagine a flashy, modern esports arena like those in big schools and universities, the reality is that most programs start small. If students are taking computer-aided design classes, chances are these computers are more robust and available after school. Other teams may get their start in a library or media center. Lighting and paint are relatively easy ways to make a space look cool on a budget, and facilities staff or community volunteers can frequently lend a hand sprucing up rooms with donated devices.

Many small schools won’t initially have the resources to invest in gaming PCs, and students in some areas may not be familiar with using a mouse and keyboard. If their digital experience has largely been confined to a touch-screen device and their gaming experience has typically consisted of a controller, they’ll have a larger learning curve on a PC. Schools starting esports programs should consider hybrid labs that are accessible to a multitude of student gamers, no matter the size of their program or student population.

This article is part of the ConnectIT: Bridging the Gap Between Education and Technology series.