Episode Details

In this episode Dr. Craft shatters misconceptions and reveals the power of gaming for building social-emotional skills. How can educators effectively integrate gaming into their SEL programs?

Are You Ready To Unlock the Power of Gaming? The power of gaming can be harnessed to forge strong peer connections among students. By instilling the elements of gaming in social-emotional learning, students can be encouraged to reflect on their emotions and reactions in gaming scenarios, apply insights to real-life contexts, and foster belonging within their peer groups. Thus, far from being a mere recreational activity, gaming can be a potent tool for facilitating improved student well-being and social-emotional growth.

Learn more about our amazing guest:

Dr. Kristen Craft has served as a teacher, principal, and district administrator in public education for the past 27 years. A champion of students, Dr. Craft is currently the Scholastic Esports Specialist for Generation Esports. She helps normalize esports in education by supporting schools and districts to create a scholastic esports pipeline.

Mentoring educational leaders, teaching aspiring principals at the university level, presenting at multiple conferences, and connecting with leaders across the country, Kristen knows the impact leaders can have on a school or district. The culmination of her time in administration at both levels represents a lifetime of love spent in the greatest profession.

She is the Gaming Concepts Podcast host and has been featured in several ed leadership podcasts and publications.

Kristen was named the 2021 Kansas Principal of the Year.

Twitter - @KristenEsports @GamingConceptsU @JoinGenEsports @HSELesports LinkedIn - KristenEsports, Generation Esports

Links explored in this episode

‍LGBTQ Students Finding Hope in Declining Mental Health via Esports in Schools

https://www.gamingconcepts.gg/

Huge thanks to our amazing Sponsor for this episode!

Mackin

For highlights from this conversation:

00:06:52 - Gaming as a Tool for Connection and Belonging Dr. Craft explains how gaming at school provides an opportunity for students to find their peer group, build friendships across different social circles, and strengthen connections, ultimately promoting a sense of belonging.

00:09:31 - Rethinking Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Dr. Craft reflects on traditional approaches to SEL and suggests that incorporating gaming into SEL programs can make them more authentic and relevant to students. By addressing real-life challenges and experiences in gaming, students can develop skills like anger management and empathy.

00:11:08 - Using Gaming to Teach Emotional Regulation Dr. Craft shares an example of using gaming to teach emotional regulation. By discussing instances of toxic behavior and anger in gaming, students can learn how to manage their emotions and react appropriately, not only within gaming but also in other aspects of life.

00:15:34 - The Stigma of Video Games The guest discusses the common misconception and stigma surrounding video games, particularly among parents. She shares her own experience and emphasizes the need to normalize esports in schools.

00:17:21 - Esports and Marginalized Populations The guest highlights the positive impact of esports on marginalized populations, specifically LGBTQ+ students. She mentions a study that showed significant growth in self-esteem among students who had mental health moments in