The Riverside County Office of Education focuses on programs that leverage the Power of Esports and Experiential Learning (PEEL). The purpose of the PEEL Program is to connect students with real-world aspects of esports event production, including gaming, in-house production, live event streaming, and podcasting. The District recently hosted a PEEL event for alternative education students, with great results.

Watch the video embedded below to understand the District’s reasoning behind implementing the program. First, read the student reflections about the event (collected through exit tickets), that focused on five key impact areas. The findings highlighted the transformative role esports can play in alternative education settings.

High Student Engagement and Buy-In
 

One outcome of the experience was the level of student engagement. In environments where re-engagement is often a priority, students didn’t just participate—they leaned in. 

When asked how the experience could be improved, many students had little critique. Instead, they expressed a desire for more time.

“Nothing (it was perfect).”
“Play more games.”

Students were brought in through a strong sense of community and by meeting them where they are. 

Esports Was Understood as More Than Gaming

Students walked away with a broader understanding of esports. It’s not just gaming, it’s more than that—it’s production, marketing, live event streaming, and much more.

“How much work goes into this?”

Through hands-on participation, students discovered the planning, coordination, and roles required to execute a live esports production. Esports introduces students to a wide range of career pathways, helping them see beyond the screen.

Communication Emerged as the Primary Transferable Skill
 

While esports often emphasize competition, students consistently identified communication as the most important skill they used throughout the experience.

“Interviewing”
“Communicating by listening”

From leading interviews to speaking on camera, students practiced these skills in a live, authentic context. These skills are foundational—not just in esports, but across all industries.

Authentic Engagement with Technical and Production Roles
 

Another standout insight was students’ gravitation towards technical and production-based roles. When asked what role they enjoyed or were curious about, many pointed to behind-the-scenes work:

“The control room.”
“Enjoyed controlling the cameras.”

This event reinforced that esports can serve as an accessible entry point into technical careers and media-related career pathways—especially for students who may not initially see themselves in traditional academic pathways. 

Productive Struggle Supported Social-Emotional Growth
 

Students were also asked to reflect on a challenge they faced and how they handled it:

“Going live and being on camera.”
“My anxiety”

Students faced discomfort and persisted through these challenges. These moments of struggle signaled a psychologically safe environment that supports social-emotional learning and builds confidence. 

Leadership Discussion Shows Esports is Valuable for All Students

These five findings reinforce that esports is more than an engagement tool—it's a vehicle for transformation. To hear more insights from the event, watch perspectives from Dr. Steve Hickman (Coordinator, Riverside County Esports League), Jay Franklin (Campus Security Manager, Arlington Regional learning Center), Christopher McDonald (Principal, Val Verde Regional Learning Center), and Gabriel Fajardo (Principal, Palm Springs Community School).