Esports, once dismissed as mere gaming, is now carving a niche in educational curricula. Selkirk High School in Scotland stands at the forefront, offering students a comprehensive look into the burgeoning esports industry.
Beyond the Screen: A Holistic Approach
At Selkirk High, the esports program isn’t about logging hours in front of a console. Instead, it delves into the industry’s history, business dynamics, and diverse career paths. Students like 16-year-old Alfie are discovering roles they hadn’t imagined, from player nutritionists to event organizers. Alfie reflects, “I didn’t know this, but you can be a nutritionist for players.”
Organizing Tournaments: A Real-World Challenge
A pivotal component of the curriculum is hands-on experience. Students are tasked with orchestrating tournaments, a process that hones skills in logistics, marketing, and teamwork. Alfie and his peers faced challenges like securing equipment and rallying participants. He admits, “It’s been quite hard because you had to find out where can you plug stuff in, how do you actually get enough people that actually want to play and getting all the equipment sorted.”
Addressing Skepticism: The Educational Value of Esports
Introducing esports into the academic realm wasn’t without its critics. Paul Graham, an education development officer specializing in digital education with Scottish Borders Council, acknowledges initial doubts. However, he emphasizes the transferable skills students acquire, from research to interpersonal communication. Graham notes, “When you talk about esports and you start to highlight the strengths and the skills that young people can get from it, the passion they have for it and the learning that can come alongside, it starts to really make sense.”
The Road Ahead: From Classroom to Career
The success of Selkirk High’s program signals a broader trend. There’s a concerted effort to expand esports education, bridging school programs to college courses and even university degrees. The goal is clear: equip students with the knowledge and skills to navigate and contribute to the multi-billion-pound esports industry.
