Speaker:Dell

Location: Zoom

Title: "Esports as a Powerful Learning Opportunity"

Speaker: Danielle Rourke, Dell Technologies Senior Higher Education Strategist

Abstract: Whether it’s K-12, or at the college or university level, interest in esports for education is at an all-time high. This growth is enabling colleges and universities to not only offer scholarships for players, but to build academic offerings such as courses, certificates and degree programs about the esports industry for students interested in career opportunities in esports. Additionally, many sources have reported that student engagement and admissions across various types of higher education institutions are at an all-time low this year.  Families are rethinking post-secondary education for their high school seniors, and economic forces as well as opportunity cost are driving their decision-making. Many know about the rising tide of esports as a recreational tool to get students interested in your college or university -but did you know that there is also a growing research field around the health, wellness, and psychological effects of esports? Join us as we examine both the domestic and international research and best practices in esports program-building and discuss how your institution could expand its esports offerings to meet this growing demand. This session will explore what your peer institutions are pursuing in both academic and research offerings, as well as compare and contrast various esports lab and arena configurations that serve as club-level, varsity competition, tournament, teaching and learning, student life, data collection and/or community engagement spaces.