Designing and Implementing After-School eSports Programs for K–12 Educators

3 Units

Course Description

Using Artificial Intelligence as a Teaching Tool in the Classroom

This course equips K–12 educators with the foundational knowledge and practical tools to design, implement, and sustain after-school eSports programs for both in-person and remote learners. Participants will explore the educational benefits of eSports, including teamwork, strategic thinking, digital citizenship, and career pathways. The course includes modules on program structure, student engagement, equity and access, safety protocols, and integration with academic goals.

Course Details

Number of Units: 3.0 graduate level extension credit(s) in semester hours

Who Should Attend: Elementary, middle, and high school educators, instructional coaches, technology coordinators, and after-school program directors, curriculum Designers, Site Coordinators, EdTech Specialists.

Course Materials: All materials for this course are included in the online course

Technical Requirements

Course Options

Course Date Units Price

What You Will Learn

  • Design and implement a comprehensive after-school eSports program that aligns with educational standards, supports student development, and accommodates both in-person and remote learning environments
  • Evaluate and apply best practices in digital citizenship, equity, and student engagement within the context of scholastic eSports, ensuring inclusive participation and safe online behavior
  • Integrate academic and career readiness components into eSports programming by connecting gameplay with STEM/STEAM skills, communication strategies, and pathways to future opportunities in technology and media

Instructors

Professional development courses offered by the University of San Diego’s Division of Professional & Continuing Education are taught by faculty that possess a depth and breadth of academic and real-world professional experience.

Why USD?

The Professional and Continuing Education program nurtures key partnerships on the local, national, and international level. The goal is to better serve working professionals who seek to enhance or build their careers and help achieve their highest value and potential. Contact us today to learn more.

Informative Stats and Facts

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Learning Method Information

Courses offer a convenient, yet rigorous style of learning that allows you to structure your education to suit your schedule while keeping you on pace toward achieving your educational goals.

Online Fixed-Date

Online fixed-date courses are delivered virtually but follow a predetermined schedule, requiring students to complete assignments, participate in discussions, and take assessments by specific deadlines—much like a traditional classroom. The key difference is that while traditional courses are conducted in person at set times and locations, online fixed-date courses allow students to engage remotely, offering more flexibility in where they learn while preserving structure and accountability through fixed timelines.  (Note: Any scheduled Zoom sessions will be outlined on the class schedule.)  These courses have fixed start and finish dates, but as an online student you will have 24/7 online access to your classroom assignments, syllabus and course resources.  Instructor feedback is shared along with the graded assignments.

How is the learning structured? Each online fixed-date course is asynchronous, meaning that you can work on your assignments anytime, although you are required to complete the assignments by specific dates. The course is designed with learning modules where all of the content is grouped into weekly assignments. Each module covers one or more topics. Within each of the learning modules, you can expect the following components:

• Module introduction that outlines what you can expect to learn in the module.

• Required readings (textbook, articles, journals, etc.) and presentations (audio and/or video).

• Assignments with due dates (which may include: written assignments, journal entries, research, blogs, etc.) based on the readings and presentations.

• Discussion forum where you answer prompts from the instructor and interact with your classmates.

• Module conclusion to review the topics and what you should have learned.

Typically, there is a final project, paper, or exam due in the last module that culminates all of the topics covered in each of the learning modules. You’ll find that the design of the learning modules has a rhythm to help you manage your time in the course.

Key Benefits of Educator Courses

A World of Choices

With hundreds of courses across a range of education-related topics, there’s a strong chance we have the ideal class for you!

Small Class Sizes

Small class sizes with real-world educators are an important part of the USD experience.

Work-Life Balance

Our educator courses offer flexible course formats and class times to help you balance your work, USD studies, and family life.