Technology has been an ever expanding craze and schools have been finding interesting ways in which to teach students both in and out of the classroom. For my week two blog, I will be discussing a way in which technology has aided teachers in and out of the classroom with the use of sports and economics. When someone thinks of fantasy football, images on men sitting in a sports bar or a buddy’s basement, wearing their favorite player’s jersey, eating pizza and drinking beer, while complaining about “their guy” that was just drafted with the last pick. Well in Lincoln Northeast business teacher Jeff Fagler’s sports marketing class, junior and senior prepare for their own version of an online fantasy draft. It was a few years ago that Mr. Fagler got the idea of trying fantasy draft. “I do fantasy drafts myself but never really thought about how it would apply in a classroom setting” Fagler said. “Then one day during a teacher training session, a teacher from Lincoln East said he came up with the idea a few years ago and suggested I give it a try.” Mr. Fagler uses ESPN.com fantasy football website to hold the draft and each student is responsible for getting their own account. “Kids have responded very well to this assignment.” Fagler added. “We have a great deal of fun with it and they enjoy it. The strong majority of the students who enroll in the class are interested in sports and are eager to participate.” Now, you are probably wondering what educational purpose an online fantasy football league has to do with education.
Well, I’m glad you’re wondering that!”
Prior to the draft, the class spends a few days talking about the financial impact fantasy sports has on the real thing. They discuss overall revenue from ticket sales, merchandise, and advertising that has profited from fantasy football. The class is then given a budget in which to use towards their draft and they have to manage the budget so they are able to fill their roster, much like general managers must to for their franchises.
“Many time the students are having so much fun that they don’ realize that they are actually learning.” Fagler joked. “It gets kids excited about coming to class and in many cases I hear them talking about the budget problems they are having with their teams in the hallways.”
Project like this not only can be done in the classroom but outside of the classroom as well. The students have a waiver wire they must meet each week, while they are responsible for cutting and adding players.
After our draft is complete, the actual class time it takes is minimal. “Fagler said. “Most of the team maintenance they do is outside of class time.”
Many students use, websites such as these when preparing for Mr. Fagler's class
http://games.espn.go.com/frontpage/ffldraftkit
http://entertainment.howstuffworks.com/fantasy-football.htm
Very interesting way of tying an interest of many students to a classroom topic like economics. Creative lessons that keep students interested and excited about the class are always a good thing. It almost seemed as though Mr. Fagler felt like he had to defend using fantasy football for a lesson, with his statement that "After our draft is complete, the actual class time it takes is minimal." If kids are interested and learning the intended material it is a shame the teacher feels that he should have to defend his method.
ReplyDeleteVery good post. I tend to always use sports analogies in my class so being able to use something like a fantasy football appeals to me. Finding differnt ways to keep students interested in your class is always a good thing. If the teacher is interested and excited about an activity, it can rub off on your students.
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