This is part of a three-part article series that covers important principles to consider when building a computer science program in an academic environment. Read the other articles here and here.
in Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD)As one of the largest and most diverse school districts in the United States, we are constantly designing new educational programs, prioritizing equitable access and ensuring students graduate prepared to succeed in college, work, and life. Innovative STEM programming requires a willingness to embrace new tools, technologies, and methodologies like project-based learning.
This year, Educational Technology Initiative (ITI) The team explored new ways to engage students in STEM and digital literacy, specifically to help meet district goals for computer science and digital citizenship. Over the past four years, applied learning pedagogies, including digital tools such as game-based platforms, have been explored within LAUSD to build math, literacy, and social-emotional learning competencies using applied learning pedagogies. We Minecraft Education As a project-based learning tool in computer science, Level Up Los Angeles born.
Level Up Los Angeles is a comprehensive district-wide initiative aimed at incorporating esports into education by leveraging a platform that supports collaborative and creative learning. Esports offers incredible benefits for student engagement, building community and skills, and pathways to higher education and employment. There are over 15,000 esports teams in K-12 schools in the United States, and many esports teams and programs focus on access for students with disabilities. Bringing esports into the classroom: evidence It also leads to improved learning outcomes and attendance in STEM. Choosing a collaborative, non-violent platform to introduce esports into the curriculum can inspire student creativity and teamwork, as evidenced by our choice to adopt game-based learning tools for creative competition.
Building a new STEM esports program
We started by creating a shared vision for the program that aligned with our district’s strategic plan, instructional priorities, and commitment to computer science education for all students. We knew that Minecraft Education already supported instructional priorities like SEL, literacy, and math, but we wanted to build a program where all students would engage in real-world problem solving using computer science. So we incorporated the following principles: Universal Design for Learning (UDL) To ensure cultural relevance and inclusivity, we developed project prompts around climate change and mental health and designed professional learning and curricular supports that highlighted these district priorities. This principled approach enabled us to develop an innovative and inclusive esports program that has led to not only positive student outcomes, but also national recognition for LAUSD.
To support educators in incorporating digital learning tools like Minecraft Education into their instruction, LAUSD created a Skill Builder Series to train teachers on how to incorporate Minecraft esports into SEL, literacy, and math. The series culminated in a “Getting Started” session that introduced teachers to the game’s mechanics and an educator and student guide for participation.
Applied learning across the curriculum
Level Up Los Angeles United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Integrating it into the curriculum allows students to gain meaningful experience related to issues they personally experience: Students addressed their own climate anxieties by applying their research skills to design and defend climate change solutions to local politicians.
To meet literacy requirements, we ensured that storytelling elements, writing activities, and comprehension assignments were integrated into student projects, challenging students not only to read instructions but also to analyze information and synthesize research to effectively communicate their ideas. For math, students apply measurement and geometry to measure distance, write code in Minecraft Education, and connect math concepts like area, perimeter, and volume that are very difficult to express in traditional formats.
We have found that by putting students into small groups to provide instruction, discussion, collaborate on assignments, solve problems, and build structures, we bring to life the LAUSD Code of Student Conduct. Students who struggle or have challenges with core instruction often thrive when they are able to learn in Minecraft, and we have seen some students thrive despite facing challenges in other parts of their school day.
Reviewing the basic principles for program success
When building the Level Up program, we had the following core concepts in mind: These concepts have proven effective in keeping teams aligned on purpose and vision.
- Have a clear vision for curriculum integration: We started with a clear objective to integrate esports and STEM into our curriculum and aligned this vision with LAUSD goals and standards, which included an outlook for how to use Minecraft Education as a learning platform.
- Prioritize teacher professional learning: Provide a variety of opportunities for teachers to build their skills and confidence in using Minecraft Education and esports as instructional tools. Create a collaborative and supportive community of practice among teachers, students, and stakeholders in the district, leveraging their feedback and input.
- Designing for Diverse Learners: We designed Level Up Los Angeles with a focus on UDL principles: Providing multiple ways to express content, engaging students in design challenges that address different interests, motivations, and learning styles, and empowering students to creatively express themselves makes Minecraft Education a powerful tool to reach all learners.
- Highlight real-world applications: Make connections to real-world issues and events relevant to students, create cultural relevance, and give students agency and a voice. Celebrate and showcase student achievements and learning outcomes.
The Level Up Los Angeles Minecraft world saw over 16,000 hours of gameplay and 287 submissions from over 1,100 students. Minecraft and esports continue to serve as vehicles for designing standards-based projects, challenges, and activities that foster exploration, investigation, and active learning. Encouraging students to apply research skills, analyze information, and communicate ideas helps them develop the skills they need to succeed in college, work, and life.
“By aligning Minecraft Education with our instructional priorities, providing opportunities for both specialized learning and differentiated instruction, and emphasizing real-world problem-solving through district-wide esports competitions, we’ve been able to “level up” student outcomes and make this a truly impactful program. We encourage other school districts to step up and explore ways to bring innovative programs like Level Up into their communities to build skills and prepare students to be the change-makers the world needs.”
