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eSports enters the Norwegian high school curriculum

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gaming in school

One of my fondest memories in high school was playing Counter-Strike 1.6 during computer class, and yes, with the teacher’s permission for the most part. Fortunately for us we had a rather understanding teacher, but in Norway eSports or competitive gaming has now become a crucial part of a Bergen High School where from August 2016 students can take part in extra-curriculum activities related to it.

Ars Technica reports that Garnes Vidaregaande Skole will become the first regular high school to introduce eSports as an alternative to conventional sports. An elective class of about 30 students will take part in a three year program which will see the students practicing five hours a day in their respective discipline. eSports in high school is not a new venture for Norway. Folk High Schools, a boarding school that offers one year of non-examined education, introduced eSports training already, which makes Garnes the first regular high school to accept it into their curriculum.

It’s not all about the games

You may be thinking five ours of gaming during school time is rather unproductive in the grand scheme of things, but Garnes have outlined their program and it involves a whole lot more. According to Petter Grahl Johnstad, head of Science department, the 30 elected students will take part in 90 minutes of physical training which will help them improve their reflexes, endurance and strength. The class will be split with 15 students playing and the other 15 taking part in physical training. The students will be graded on various aspects as well which include: game knowledge and skills, communication, tactical ability and co-operation. This won’t be a five hour free-for-all in the gaming lab.

Equipment will also play a crucial role in their training. The state of the art computer lab will feature machines equipped with the latest technology, such as an Nvidia GTX GeForce 980Ti graphics cards. Students will be allowed to bring their own peripherals with, to cater to their own personal preferences.

Which games will be played?

Garnes has not specified which titles will be taught in their new class, but according to their statement two games will be offered in the first year with all major titles under consideration. This includes Counter-Strike, Dota 2, League of Legends and Starcraft II. Scandinavian countries have long dominated the competitive world in Counter-Strike and Dota 2, so it will be no surprise if these two games initially enter the curriculum.

Perhaps this is something to take to heart as development from a school level could aid our current skill gap in competitive gaming in South Africa. Unfortunately for us online gaming is still taboo in South Africa, but we can agree that people are starting to pay attention.

It only takes one school to usher in a new era of competitive gaming, and it’s about time.

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Last Updated: January 13, 2016

No Comments

  1. Ottokie

    January 13, 2016 at 15:35

    If you ever want to time travel 50 years into the future, just immigrate out of SA to a first world country.

    Reply

    • Lord Chaos

      January 13, 2016 at 15:36

      Only 50?

      Reply

      • Ottokie

        January 13, 2016 at 15:37

        I was being generous with the estimate, forgot we are already in 2016 xD

        Reply

    • Hammersteyn

      January 13, 2016 at 15:38

      Apparently it’s as cold as a polar bear’s nuts in the future…

      Reply

      • Ottokie

        January 13, 2016 at 15:38

        Good. I hate summer 😛

        Reply

        • Lord Chaos

          January 13, 2016 at 15:39

          ^ This

          Reply

        • Hammersteyn

          January 13, 2016 at 15:40

          Yes!

          Reply

          • Ottokie

            January 13, 2016 at 15:41

            PC over heats, I over heat, mosquito’s everywhere…

            http://www.howtogeek.com/wp-content/uploads/gg/up/sshot50228dce793e7.jpg

          • Lord Chaos

            January 13, 2016 at 15:44

            “Video”

          • Ottokie

            January 13, 2016 at 15:44

            Hahaha okie dokie Admiral

          • Hammersteyn

            January 13, 2016 at 15:44

            Beer tastes better in the summer though…. I’m sure there are other perks can’t think of them right now. Apparently swimming is a fun thing to do, unless you drown or roast till the point your skin resembles Zoidberg

          • Lord Chaos

            January 13, 2016 at 15:47

            Just think about it, late Nov to late Jan the sun never rises.

            Awesome xmas and new years celebrations.

          • Hammersteyn

            January 13, 2016 at 15:49

            Also snow. Snow is fun

          • Greylingad[CNFRMD]

            January 13, 2016 at 15:55

            Snow is fun, until you dive head first into it…

          • Hammersteyn

            January 13, 2016 at 16:04

            Why would you do that?

          • Lord Chaos

            January 13, 2016 at 16:11

            Seemed like a good idea at the time?

          • Greylingad[CNFRMD]

            January 13, 2016 at 16:13

            I was walking down a road in Vienna, the snow melted and refroze during the course of the night, as I passed a pond on my left I heard a car pass by me on my right with the wail of a V8 motor, I turned to look and my right foot came out from under me, on the sidewalk was a thick layer of snow, thinking that it’s fresh snow, I thought it would be the best landing spot, so I kind of went that way, about 2cm of snow collapsed to reveal about 10 cms of solid, titanium and cement infused ice…

          • Hammersteyn

            January 13, 2016 at 16:13

            Ouch

          • Greylingad[CNFRMD]

            January 13, 2016 at 16:14

            My pride hurt more than my head to be honest…

          • Lord Chaos

            January 13, 2016 at 16:04

            Or eat it when it’s yellow.

          • Hammersteyn

            January 13, 2016 at 16:04

            hahaha

          • Greylingad[CNFRMD]

            January 13, 2016 at 16:20

            Or buy a “Lemon Cone” from a kid for 2$…

          • Ottokie

            January 13, 2016 at 15:50

            Nope. I will celebrate the coming of winter harder than xmas and new years combined.

          • Lord Chaos

            January 13, 2016 at 15:53

            If you don’t see the sun, how do you know which day it is?
            Sounds like a massive party.

            Although in the summer the sun doesn’t set for 2 months.

          • Greylingad[CNFRMD]

            January 13, 2016 at 15:54

            What do you mean? Going from Crayfish red to a crisp in this heat comes quickly, especially without a shell…

          • Alien Emperor Trevor

            January 13, 2016 at 15:49

            I was seriously contemplating getting an aircon for my bedroom. Then I found out how much it would cost even with all my assorted discounts.

          • Ottokie

            January 13, 2016 at 15:51

            Been looking around as well, these power hungry things cost a kek load of money.

      • Lord Chaos

        January 13, 2016 at 15:38

        Nuclear winter.

        Reply

      • HairyEwok

        January 14, 2016 at 08:33

        Those cold countries get all the good traits…. They can buy AMD products at a super cheap price and not even worry about overheating… XD

        Reply

    • Greylingad[CNFRMD]

      January 13, 2016 at 15:51

      So in ze futuar ve vill speak like zis? Zat is off course if you travvel to Austria…

      Reply

      • Ottokie

        January 13, 2016 at 15:53

        At least I understand all of it xD

        Reply

      • HairyEwok

        January 14, 2016 at 08:38

        I vill love to speek like zis all the time, but people vill think I’m ze retarded kind.

        Reply

        • Greylingad[CNFRMD]

          January 14, 2016 at 11:40

          Vell, zat depends on ze type off craut you hang out wiss, if any off zem has ever met a German zey vould understant….

          Reply

  2. Hammersteyn

    January 13, 2016 at 15:37

    In summary, if I have kids I’ll send them to Norway. They’ll be in Europe and play games in school. I’ll live in poverty but it’s for the best.

    Reply

  3. Ghost In The Rift

    January 13, 2016 at 15:44

    About 12 years to late for me, damn…

    Reply

    • Lord Chaos

      January 13, 2016 at 15:46

      Ditto

      Reply

    • Hammersteyn

      January 13, 2016 at 15:46

      Preach! My grades could’ve used the boost. I’d play Dota if it meant I didn’t have to learn about the Russian revolution. Not sure why were taught that in the first place. We’re not even in the same hemisphere

      Reply

      • Alien Emperor Trevor

        January 13, 2016 at 15:48

        I remember being taught that. That’s about all I remember of it.

        Reply

      • HairyEwok

        January 14, 2016 at 08:40

        You learned it just in case the Russians thought hey SA looks like a nice place to take over. Then you would be fully educated about their tactics and be promoted to a general or commander.

        Reply

  4. Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)

    January 14, 2016 at 10:36

    Pffttt! Girlie nonsense! If I emigrated to Norway, I’d rather send my child to Viking school!

    “Go forth young Banana – rape and pillage a village, my son!”

    http://www.thelocal.no/20150803/norway-starts-school-for-vikings

    Reply

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