Gaming the Future: The Next Generation’s Playing Field

The world our students are growing up in is changing faster than ever. Mobile phones have become essential tools; libraries now sit in students’ backpacks in the form of laptops; and tablets are as common as notebooks. The digital world is no longer separate from the real one, it is the environment our students live, learn, and socialise in. Unsurprisingly, gaming has become one of the most dominant parts of that environment, especially as mobile access continues to rise. Every year, the gaming ecosystem expands, influencing entertainment, communication, media, and now, emerging career pathways.

This growing digital shift brings us to a critical question: Where does esports, competitive, structured video gaming fit into education?

Understanding Esports

Esports is not simply children playing video games. It is organised competition, strategy, teamwork, discipline, and skill. The global esports market continues to grow rapidly, drawing investment from sports franchises, tech companies, and universities. The economic power of gaming now rivals and surpasses several traditional entertainment industries.

But beyond markets and numbers, the real question for educators is: How does this impact students?

Skills Beyond the Screen

When implemented intentionally, esports can cultivate high-value, future-ready skills.

Students learn to solve problems under pressure — just as a Rocket League team must coordinate strategies in real time, or as Minecraft players use design thinking and planning to build solutions.

Esports is also deeply collaborative. Communication becomes crucial — quick, clear, and coordinated. And in competitive environments, students learn leadership, resilience, and how to accept feedback with maturity. These are the same interpersonal and cognitive skills celebrated in modern workplaces worldwide.

Students Are Already Gaming Schools Need to Guide It

Children begin gaming at an average age of seven, and by middle school, most are regular players.

The question is no longer whether students are gaming: they already are.

The question is whether the time they spend gaming is:

• Passiveor

• Transformative.

Without guidance, gaming is recreational. With the right framework, it becomes a learning discipline.

From Hobby to Structured Learning

Esports become meaningful when schools help students develop healthy, consistent routines. Structured sessions teach planning. Controlled screen time builds discipline. Self and group review cultivates reflection and the willingness to accept critique. Competitions promote teamwork, confidence, accountability, and emotional balance.

In essence, students learn to approach gaming the way athletes approach sport with mindful practice, teamwork, and purpose.

But Why Esports When We Already Have Sports?

A common misconception is that esports replaces traditional sports. The reality is: it complements them. Balanced programmes allow students to engage in both physical and digital skill-building. Schools that integrate esports successfully often create schedules where gaming and physical fitness support each other, not compete. Health, movement, and wellbeing remain central.

New Pathways, Real Careers

Esports is not simply a route to becoming a professional player. In fact, most students pursue roles in:

• Game development and design

• Broadcasting and content production

• Event management

• Coaching and strategy

• Data analytics and performance evaluation

• Digital creativity and marketing

  
  

Universities in the UK, US, and beyond now offer esports scholarships, academic programmes, and varsity teams. 

A New Opportunity for Schools

Schools have a powerful opportunity here: to turn students’ existing interests into meaningful, guided growth.

Esports in education:

• Creates belonging and community

• Encourages confidence and identity formation

• Helps students discover their strengths

• Builds real-world skills that transfer beyond school

This is not about screens, it is about connection, purpose, discipline, and vision.

A New Playing Field

Every era reshapes its understanding of talent, competition, and excellence. Ours is doing the same. Esports is not simply a trend, It is one of the emerging pathways to future success.

For educators, the invitation is clear: Meet students where they are. Guide them toward what they can become.

This article has been extracted from a presentation made by Adam Gatt at the TAISI Conference 2025.