This content is part of a three-article series covering key principles to consider when building a computer science program in an academic setting. Read other articles here and here.
The Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD), one of the largest and most diverse school districts in the country, prioritizes equitable access and continually plans new educational programs to ensure students graduate prepared to succeed in college, careers, and life. Innovative STEM programming requires a willingness to adopt new tools and technologies as well as methodologies such as project-based learning.
This year, our Instructional Technology Initiative (ITI) team explored new ways to engage students in STEM and digital literacy, helping us achieve district goals, especially in the areas of computer science and digital citizenship. Over the past four years, LAUSD has explored applied learning pedagogies, including digital tools such as game-based platforms, to build math, literacy, and social-emotional learning competencies. We saw an opportunity to use Minecraft Education as a project-based learning tool in computer science, and that's why Level Up Los Angeles was born.
Level Up Los Angeles represents a comprehensive, district-wide initiative aimed at integrating esports into educational contexts utilizing platforms that support collaborative and creative learning. Esports offer incredible benefits for student engagement, community and skill building, and pathways to higher education and career opportunities. There are over 15,000 esports teams in K-12 schools in the United States, and many esports teams and programs emphasize accessibility for students with disabilities. There is evidence that introducing esports into the classroom can lead to better learning outcomes in STEM and attendance. Choosing a collaborative, non-violent platform to introduce esports into the curriculum can stimulate creativity and teamwork in students, as evidenced by our choice to use game-based learning tools for creative competition.
Building a new STEM Esports program
We started by creating a shared vision for this program that aligns with the district's strategic plan, educational priorities, and commitment to computer science education for all students. We knew that Minecraft Education already supported our educational priorities, including SEL, literacy, and numeracy, but we wanted to build a program that would engage all students in solving real-world problems through computer science. Therefore, we incorporated principles such as Universal Design for Learning (UDL) to ensure cultural relevance and inclusivity, created project prompts around climate change and mental health, and professional learning and curriculum support to highlight our region's priorities. designed. This principled approach has allowed us to develop an innovative and comprehensive esports program that drives not only student outcomes but also national recognition for LAUSD.
To support educators integrating digital learning tools like Minecraft Education into their teaching, LAUSD created the Skill Builder Series to train teachers on how to integrate Minecraft esports into SEL, literacy, and numeracy. The series concluded with a “Getting Started” session that introduced teachers to the game’s mechanics and a guide to engaging educators and students.
Applied learning across the curriculum
Level Up Los Angeles integrates the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals into its curriculum to provide students with meaningful experiences related to issues they personally experience. Students addressed their own climate anxiety by applying their research skills to designing climate solutions and writing advocacy arguments for local politicians.
To meet literacy requirements, we ensured that students' projects included storytelling elements, writing activities, and reading assignments. This required students to not only read instructions, but also analyze information, synthesize their findings, and communicate their ideas effectively. For numeracy, students apply measurement and geometry to measure distances, and write code in Minecraft Education to connect math concepts like area, perimeter, and volume that are very difficult to express in traditional formats.
We have found that grouping students into small groups for instruction, discussion, collaboration on assignments, problem solving, and building structure brings the LAUSD Student Code of Conduct to life. Students who are struggling or struggling in their core education often thrive when they are able to learn with Minecraft, and we have seen several teams of students thrive despite facing challenges elsewhere during their school day.
Reflection on core principles for program prosperity
As we built the Level Up program, we kept the following key concepts in mind: This has proven effective in keeping our team aligned with our purpose and vision.
- We have a clear vision for curriculum integration. We started with a clear purpose to integrate esports and STEM into our curriculum and aligned this vision with LAUSD’s goals and standards. This included how Minecraft Education was used as a learning platform.
- Professional learning priorities for teachers: Provide a variety of opportunities for teachers to build their skills and confidence using Minecraft Education and esports as teaching tools. Create a supportive and collaborative community of practice among district teachers, students, and stakeholders and leverage their feedback and input.
- Designed for a variety of learners: We designed Level Up Los Angeles with a focus on UDL principles. By providing a variety of ways to express content, engaging students in design challenges that meet their diverse interests, motivations, and learning styles, and allowing students to express themselves creatively, Minecraft Education can reach all learners. It can be a powerful tool.
- Emphasis on practical application. Connecting to real-world issues and events relevant to students creates cultural relevance and empowers students with agency and voice. Celebrate and showcase student achievements and learning outcomes.
The Level Up Los Angeles Minecraft universe has had over 16,000 hours of gameplay and received 287 submissions from over 1,100 students. Minecraft and esports continue to serve as a vehicle for designing standards-based projects, assignments, and activities that promote exploration, exploration, and active learning. Encouraging students to apply research skills, analyze information, and communicate their ideas helps them develop the skills they need to succeed in college, careers, and life.
By aligning Minecraft Education with our educational priorities, providing opportunities for professional learning and differentiated instruction, and emphasizing real-world problem solving through district-wide esports competitions, we are creating student outcomes for a truly impactful program. I was able to “level up.” We encourage other school districts to take the leap and explore ways to bring innovative programs like Level Up to their communities to build skills and prepare students to drive the change our world needs!