Education in the 21st century is nothing short of a challenge. From addressing children’s decreasing concentration to overcoming technology addiction, educating the young minds of today has become increasingly difficult. At this time, rote learning or traditional classroom settings need revamping to cater to today’s generation. The solution is to break free from the currently used stagnant curriculum and implement interactive technology tools to make education more engaging and effective.
The CEO of Gameplan, Rasmus Sandström, has come up with an original approach to confront this very issue. Gameplan is a learning management system that provides a comprehensive curriculum, infrastructure, and tools to engage students through esports and gaming. With a history of holding senior positions in successful companies and a portfolio of tech and esports organizations, Rasmus is a visionary leader passionate about utilizing technology to drive meaningful impact. He actively leads both grassroots and professional esports organizations.
Gameplan offers a turn-key curriculum that enables schools to improve student engagement, mental health, and attendance rates using esports and video games on a modern Learning Platform. With interactive media, cybersecurity, entrepreneurship, leadership, and other soft skills courses, Gameplan offers a comprehensive and well-rounded education aligned with various standards. Its cutting-edge tools and engaging activities immerse the students in the learning experience.
The Education View had the privilege to interview Rasmus to learn more about Gameplan and his odyssey. Below are the excerpts from the interview:
Can you share a brief overview of your journey?
My journey has been greatly influenced by a family legacy of athletics and a passion for technology and gaming. My mother and her twin sister excelled in football’s top division, with my uncle as their coach. My father achieved greatness in Sweden’s highest hockey league, while two uncles made their marks in the NHL and Sweden’s second-tier hockey league. My cousin and I followed suit, playing professionally. Even my sister earned a spot in the youth national football team.
Despite my love for ice hockey and sports, gaming was my biggest passion. At 25, I studied computer science, driven by my love for technology. At the same time, Dan, my business partner, and I ran an organization we founded called Keita Gaming, a non-profit organization that has grown to over 30,000 members, boasting world-class esports teams across various titles. I’ve also ventured into tech entrepreneurship, founding several successful companies. My journey reflects a deep connection to sports, gaming, and technology, all rooted in lessons from a small village upbringing.
What inspired you to enter the e-learning sector, and what is the core vision driving your organization’s mission?
As a former pro ice hockey player, I experienced how easily athletes fit into the school environment. I also observed that gamer kids often struggled to find their place and connect with their peers.
This difference motivated me to bridge the gap between these two worlds. I founded various esports organizations, pro teams, and tournament platforms to provide a supportive space for gamers to flourish academically and in their gaming pursuits. My journey is empowering these smart kids who didn’t feel like they fit in and helping them thrive.
What challenges have you encountered in the e-learning landscape, and how have you addressed or overcome them?
Underestimating the Role of Educators
When we launched Learn2Esport and Gameplan, our initial belief was that we could create a platform so advanced that it might almost replace the educator in the classroom. However, we soon recognized the errors of this assumption. The role of educators is far more critical than we initially thought, so we shifted our focus.
Instead of trying to replace educators, we aimed to empower them. We refined our platform to serve as a resource for educators, enabling them to support students on a personalized level. This shift allowed teachers to provide valuable guidance without needing to be specialists in specific games or the broader field of esports.
Underestimating or Overestimating Students’ Drive
Initially, we assumed that most students engaged in esports aspired to become professional gamers. However, we soon realized this wasn’t always the case. Many students were more inclined towards casual play or were interested in other aspects like content creation, streaming, or understanding the workings of esports organizations.
In response, we expanded our curriculum to encompass a broader range of subjects. This allowed us to support the growth of these students through gaming and esports, regardless of their ultimate goals.
How does your organization prioritize a learner-centric approach, and what strategies are in place to enhance the overall learning experience for users?
Our approach always prioritizes the learner. Understanding that motivation is key to learning, we aim to make education engaging and effective.
Educator-Created Curriculum: Our curriculum is developed and reviewed by former teachers who are integral to our team. Their expertise ensures our content is relevant and effective for the learners it’s designed for.
Customization for Teachers: Every classroom is unique, and the teacher leading the class knows their students best. That’s why our platform allows teachers to tailor courses and lessons to meet their students’ specific needs.
Feedback-Driven Improvements: User feedback is vital to our development process. We have prioritized gathering honest input through surveys, focus groups, and direct observation to understand how we can enhance the learning experience.
Based on your experience, what advice would you give to entrepreneurs looking to enter the e-learning industry and make a meaningful impact?
Entering the educational sector should not be driven by the desire for quick financial gains; instead, it should be motivated by a genuine aspiration to effect positive change. Collaborate closely with educators and users. Focus on developing solutions that enhance and simplify the lives of educators rather than attempting to replace them. Aim to create tools that address significant challenges they face in their profession.
Looking back at your journey as a CEO or founder of your organization, what has been the most rewarding aspect, and what lessons have you learned along the way?
Our journey began in a humble one-bedroom apartment, where seven of us lived and worked together without salary. Now, we’ve grown to a team of over 30 exceptionally talented and outstanding individuals. Working alongside such amazing people is incredibly rewarding for me. Equally fulfilling is witnessing the growth of our students.
We’ve seen students who have participated in our programs go on to live their dreams, traveling the world and playing their favorite games professionally. It’s also deeply gratifying to see students who felt out of place in traditional school settings find their community with us, blossoming as individuals and forming lifelong friendships.
