AI Supports Esports in Education

As an avid tech nerd, gaming enthusiast, and digital native, I have always been one to test new technologies, push the boundaries, and make sure students can see the uses of technology in their everyday lives. I used ChatGPT when it was first showcased, and had it create a list of reasons why scholastic esports were important to use in school. Gaming, computer science, and AI all blend nicely together in the world of education. Then, a few years later, I found that same prompt and prompted ChatGPT to update my prior request. It gave me two different options this time, and in much more of my own voice. Below are the two different prompts. Let me know in my social media polls which one works best!

Response 1: 

Why Esports Belongs in High Schools: An Instructional and Engagement Powerhouse

After nearly two decades in education—spanning classroom teaching, instructional leadership, and higher education support—I’ve seen firsthand the transformative power of student engagement. One of the most impactful and often overlooked tools to reach today’s learners is esports. Whether students are competing at a high level or casually connecting in a club environment, esports offers high schools a dynamic platform for instruction, inclusion, and innovation.

A New Pathway for Engagement

Not every student connects with traditional extracurriculars. Esports offers a new, highly relevant option—one that speaks their language. As someone who’s built both a computer science pathway and a scholastic esports program from the ground up, I’ve seen students who struggled to find their place suddenly light up when handed a controller or asked to lead a strategy session.

Esports clubs provide an entry point that feels familiar and exciting. Students engage not only in gaming but also in teamwork, leadership, and communication. I’ve coached students who started off shy or academically disengaged and watched them grow into confident leaders, shoutcasters, analysts, and even aspiring coders.

Inclusive by Design

Unlike traditional sports, esports is inherently inclusive. It doesn’t discriminate by physical ability, gender identity, or socioeconomic background. I’ve seen students who might otherwise be sidelined become integral members of a thriving community. In our club spaces, students with IEPs, English language learners, and those from diverse backgrounds came together over shared goals and mutual respect.

Casual players are just as important as competitive ones. Whether they're helping moderate a Discord server, creating team logos, managing social media, or simply enjoying the community, there’s a role for every student.

Real-World Skills in Action

In my time as a NASEF Fellow, Mentor, and now Community Leader, I’ve helped other educators tap into the full educational potential of esports. When structured intentionally, these programs teach far more than gameplay. Students learn:

• Communication and Collaboration – Every match is a team effort. Students learn to give and receive feedback, resolve conflicts, and adapt strategies in real time.

• Digital Literacy and Tech Fluency – From streaming and shoutcasting to hardware troubleshooting and software configuration, esports cultivates essential 21st-century skills.

• Critical Thinking and Decision-Making – Strategy, adaptability, and analysis are core to gameplay—and all transferable to STEM fields and beyond.

And let’s be clear: esports isn’t “just gaming.” It’s broadcasting. It’s event planning. It’s graphic design. It’s business. It’s coding. In my time as Director of Secondary Services at Harrisburg University, I worked to align dual enrollment and workforce development programs with the kinds of real-world skills esports fosters. The career connections are already there—we just need to build the bridges.

A Culture of Belonging and Well-being

There’s also a social-emotional side to this work. Esports clubs give students a safe, welcoming space to be themselves. They form friendships, build community, and find a sense of purpose. During some of the most isolating moments of the pandemic, our esports program became a lifeline—students kept showing up not just for the games, but for each other.

Looking Forward

High schools should embrace esports not as an afterthought, but as a cornerstone of modern student engagement. When structured thoughtfully, these programs blend learning, community, and fun in ways that are hard to replicate elsewhere.

Whether you’re running a varsity program or just starting a casual club, esports is more than just an extracurricular—it's a future-ready, student-centered instructional tool. And it works.

Response 2: 

Drawing on my own experiences in the esports arena and collaborating with educators to design extracurricular programs, I can confidently say that esports offers transformative benefits for high schools. From my years of involvement—both as a competitive participant and as an advisor for esports initiatives—I have seen firsthand how it can elevate student engagement at every level. Below is an updated, in-depth discussion on why esports stands as an innovative instructional option for high schools, enriched by my personal insights and expertise.

Personal Experience and Observations

Having engaged with esports both competitively and in a club setting, I’ve witnessed how its inherently inclusive framework encourages participation from all types of students. In my experience, schools that integrate esports foster environments where students who might not traditionally join athletics feel valued and included. This direct involvement has not only broadened opportunities for participation but also deepened school community engagement.

1. Inclusivity and Diversity

Personal Insight:
I have seen numerous instances where students, regardless of gender or physical ability, find a space in esports. This inclusivity promotes a culture where every student can contribute—whether through gaming, strategy development, or event organization—and feel an intrinsic sense of belonging.

Broader Benefits:

• Diverse Participation: Esports clubs tap into varied interests, welcoming tech enthusiasts and gamers alike.

• Community Building: An environment where every skill is celebrated reinforces respectful interactions and mutual support.

2. Technological Proficiency and Digital Literacy

Personal Insight:
From my early days learning gaming controls to later mentoring students on managing online platforms, I've observed a steep learning curve that equips students with advanced technological skills. The familiarity with gaming interfaces and communication tools naturally translates into a broader digital literacy—preparing them for modern academic and career challenges.

Broader Benefits:

• Hands-On Skill Development: Students gain practical experience with platforms, software, and tools that are critical for STEM careers.

• Future-Ready: These skills often inspire future pursuits in IT, game development, software engineering, and related fields.

3. Collaboration and Teamwork

Personal Insight:
Participating in team tournaments taught me the importance of coordination and strategic planning under pressure. I’ve seen teams that not only communicated effectively during matches but also transferred these skills into collaborative academic projects. These experiences underscore the value of a supportive team dynamic.

Broader Benefits:

• Enhanced Communication: Regular practice in team environments helps students refine both verbal and non-verbal communication.

• Team Cohesion: Esports clubs nurture strong interpersonal relationships, reinforcing group problem-solving capabilities that extend to classroom projects and beyond.

4. Critical Thinking and Strategic Decision-Making

Personal Insight:
In competitive esports, each second counts and making split-second decisions is crucial. I remember intense matches where strategy and adaptability were the linchpins of success. This environment demands critical thinking and a constant reassessment of tactics—skills that are invaluable in academic settings and life in general.

Broader Benefits:

• Rapid Analytical Skills: Quick decision-making trains students to assess situations swiftly and act decisively.

• Adaptability: Engaging with ever-changing game dynamics encourages flexible thinking applicable to real-life challenges.

5. Emotional Intelligence and Sportsmanship

Personal Insight:
One of the most profound lessons I’ve learned through esports is how to manage emotions and embrace constructive feedback. I’ve personally navigated the highs and lows of competition, realizing that resilience and empathy are as important as technical skill. This has helped me mentor students on managing both victory and defeat gracefully.

Broader Benefits:

• Resilience and Empathy: Students learn to value fair play and support their peers even when faced with setbacks.

• Positive Club Culture: Cultivating a respectful environment leads to improved emotional well-being and academic success.

6. Integration with STEM and Career Pathways

Personal Insight:
My experience shows that bridging esports with STEM subjects creates powerful, cross-disciplinary learning opportunities. I once helped design a curriculum that integrated game design concepts with coding challenges, sparking lasting interest in technology among students. This blend of theory and practice not only reinforces academic concepts but also illuminates potential career paths.

Broader Benefits:

• Curriculum Enhancement: Integrating gaming with STEM encourages practical applications of abstract concepts.

• Career Awareness: Exposure to diverse career paths—ranging from game development to event management—empowers students to explore professional opportunities in a booming industry.

7. Boosting School Spirit and Student Engagement

Personal Insight:
I’ve seen how inter-school tournaments and club competitions can significantly boost school spirit. When students represent their school in a non-traditional sport like esports, it creates a sense of pride and community that is both inclusive and invigorating. It’s a unique avenue for self-expression that can rally even the most disengaged students.

Broader Benefits:

• Enhanced Engagement: Esports clubs provide new platforms for leadership, teamwork, and creative expression.

• Community Cohesion: Celebrating successes—whether competitive or casual—fosters a dynamic and supportive school culture.

8. Mental Health and Overall Well-Being

Personal Insight:
Throughout my journey in esports, I recognized its capacity to offer a constructive outlet for stress. Creating or participating in a supportive esports club can serve as a positive alternative where students share interests and decompress. This shared space for social interaction is essential for mental health and emotional balance.

Broader Benefits:

• Stress Relief: Participation in competitive and casual gaming offers a healthy escape from academic pressures.

• Supportive Networks: Esports clubs can be a critical component of student well-being, providing peer support and reducing feelings of isolation.

Conclusion

Incorporating esports into a high school’s extracurricular offerings isn’t just about embracing a modern pastime—it’s about reshaping education to reflect today’s digital society. By leveraging my own experiences, I can affirm that esports deeply enriches the learning environment. It enhances inclusivity, boosts technological and collaborative skills, fosters critical thinking, and provides promising pathways into future careers. Moreover, it builds school spirit and supports mental health, ensuring that every student has the opportunity to thrive both in and out of the classroom.

By recognizing and integrating these diverse benefits, high schools can not only keep up with the rapid pace of technological innovation but also create nurturing spaces where every student is empowered to succeed.

AI is still on the forefront of discovering its actual uses, and has some morally and ethically questionable aspects in crediting proper sources, stealing intellectual property, and has environmentally damaging effects. All of which are legitimate concerns, and should continue to be investigated. Since citing sources is always important in research and reporting, I had ChatGPT make a list of resources for the writings given above, which can be found in Esports in Education - Resource List. 

Testing the limits helps educators find the sweet spot in using the tools. As a member of our school's AI Committee, we are currently developing a policy for teacher use of AI tools. We are working to ensure that student data is safe and drafting a school-wide Acceptable Use Policy (AUP). During our last professional development day, we got to learn from a powerhouse of a leader in AI education, Rachael Mann, and learned about tools for developing content. During that time, we learned of a tool called Suno, an AI music generator. I created this, Tech Yeah Comp Sci Song, and many other tools. Follow her on LinkedIn. For more balance and amazing content in both gaming and AI tool use, follow the esteemed James O'Hagan.