Why High Schools Are Using Video Games to Build Real-World Skills

In a recent interview with Enterprise League, Generation Esports’ very own Dr. Kristy Custer, former teacher turned principal and advocate for innovative learning, shared her insights on the evolving role of video games in education.

Once unfairly stigmatized as distractions or mindless entertainment, video games are now being recognized for their strong potential to teach invaluable life skills and enhance learning experiences in the classroom.

Gaming Concepts fundamentals class at Maize South High School

The Evolution of Video Games In Education

Dr. Custer shares her thoughts with Enterprise League on how video games provide a unique opportunity for students to build essential skills. Noting in the interview that “when [she] was introduced to esports, [she] immediately saw the educational potential and how it could reach students who weren’t necessarily engaged by traditional school programs”.

Games encourage collaboration, communication, and critical thinking, all of which are foundational to success in both school and their future. Whether it’s working together to solve complex problems in a multiplayer game or learning to adapt quickly to new situations, students are developing skills that go far beyond the screen.

Gaming Concepts In High School Curriculum

This shift in perspective has opened the door for schools to introduce curriculum such as Gaming Concepts to students. Through esports programs and game-based learning modules, educators like Principal Lt. Col. Jason Meharg and library media specialist Eden Buergler at Darby Middle School are empowering students to approach challenges creatively and with confidence. The integration of video games is especially impactful in promoting self-efficacy—students dare not only to learn the material but also gain the belief that they can succeed.

For a better understanding of the ways curriculum like Gaming Concepts can benefit students and their learning environment, be sure to read the full interview with Dr. Custer and Enterprise League. Find out more about how your school can implement the Gaming Concepts curriculum by setting up a call today.