LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Read opposing viewpoints and take a side; evaluate e-sports’ impact on players; research careers available in the e-sports industry

HEALTH ED STANDARDS

NHES 2: Evaluate the impact of technology on personal, family, and community health

CASEL COMPETENCY: Responsible decision-making

KEY VOCAB

debilitating, sedentary, connoisseurs, cognitive

Lesson Plan: Are E-Sports Real Sports?

E-sports offer a more inclusive playing field, but do they count as real sports? Two Choices advisers weigh in.

ESSENTIAL QUESTION

Is playing an e-sport the same as playing a traditional sport?

 CLOSE-READING QUESTIONS

  1. In what ways can e-sports be safer than regular sports? Eleanor proposes that e-sports players experience fewer severe injuries such as muscle strain and broken bones. 
  2. How can playing e-sports negatively impact a player’s health? E-sports can lead to eye fatigue, back and neck pain, and severe wrist pain. Players may not get enough exercise, because e-sports are sedentary by nature. 
  3. What physical health benefits does Zaid say are missing from e-sports? Zaid says that traditional sports like basketball increase cardiovascular health, lower the risk of diabetes, and increase joint flexibility.

 CRITICAL-THINKING QUESTIONS

  1. List skills that an e-athlete needs to be successful. Possible answers: speed, hand-eye coordination, quick decision-making, problem-solving, good vision, respect for other players and coaches, negotiation, working toward a common goal, and sportsmanship. 
  2. Eleanor lists benefits of e-sports; can you think of any others? Possible answers: Video games can strengthen memory and improve how quickly the brain processes visual info. 
  3. What are some differences between playing an e-sport and playing a traditional sport? E-sports: fewer physical requirements, you can train anytime. Traditional sports: feeling like part of a team, one-on-one/group coaching, regular physical exercise

CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES

ADVOCACY IN ACTION

NHES 7

CASEL Competency: Responsible decision-making

Athletes get injured whether they play a traditional sport or an e-sport. Using the WARM UP E-ATHLETES worksheet, students will research suggested exercises for gamers and e-athletes. Then they’ll take what they learned and use it to create an informative flyer for their peers. (Click here to see all your Skill Builders.)

EXTENSION ACTIVITY

NHES 3

CASEL Competency: Responsible decision-making

There is an increasing need for people who want to work in e-sports. Using our research guide, students will dig deeper to discover what A FUTURE IN E-SPORTS has to offer. Have them choose two viable careers in the industry and write an enticing job posting for one of them. (Click here to see all your Skill Builders.)

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