Fantasy Sports - Changing Lives! Print

Fantasy sports are changing lives and transforming math education. The programs are being used in elementary schools, middle schools, high schools, and higher education. The games are eliminating discipline problems, reducing absenteeism, helping teachers to be more effective, and changing student attitudes toward math. Empirical data collected by the University of Mississippi (results can be found below) indicate that fantasy sports are playing a major role in helping students to be successful, as teachers report that grades, attendance, motivation, and test scores are all higher.

Amazing stories are taking place at schools throughout the country. Some of these stories are illustrated in our documentary film (you can watch the trailer by clicking on the large green button above). One teacher uses fantasy basketball to teach algebra to students who are severely disabled and students who have autism. The games are also helping families to connect, as sons and daughters get help selecting their teams from their fathers, brothers, and grandparents. Basically, fantasy sports are changing lives, both academically AND socially.

At some schools, everybody is playing: Students, teachers, administrators, staff, and parents. New friendships are being formed. School community is promoted. Fantasy sports are also helping to empower girls and break down the gender gap. Girls report that fantasy sports are “cool,” and that the games help them to relate to the boys as equals. In short, we believe fantasy sports represent our best hope to reduce math illiteracy in the U.S.

 
Groundbreaking opportunity to contribute to fantasy sports & math research Print

Please consider joining us in the first-ever comprehensive consumer behavior study exploring youth (under 18) and teacher involvement in fantasy sport and how fantasy sport affects math achievement. This is a major opportunity to help move math education forward.

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Empirical Results Print

We have the initial results from 144 teachers who took our ongoing survey co-sponsored by the University of Mississippi. The survey is located on the right side of this page.

Here are some results, which speak for themselves:

  • 75% of the teachers agreed that students understand mathematical concepts more now than they did before they used Fantasy Sports and Mathematics.
  • 79% of the teachers agreed that students like learning math more now than they did before they started using Fantasy Sports and Mathematics.
  • 51% of the teachers agreed that students’ math grades are higher since they used the Fantasy Sports and Mathematics program.
  • 81% of the teachers agreed that students come to math class with more enthusiasm now than they did before they used Fantasy Sports and Mathematics.
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25 Reasons to use Fantasy Sports Print

1. The percentage of 8th grade students who tested proficient at Woodbine School in New Jersey increased from 10% to 54% in one year after using fantasy sports
2. Addresses NCTM Standards
3. Alters the negative perception many students have toward math
4. Makes connections between math at school and math in the real world; research indicates learning is facilitated when such connections are made
5. Flexibility – can be incorporated into curriculum anytime

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FSM Podcasts Print

Fantasy Sports and Mathematics podcastsAuthor Dan Flockhart will discuss his Fantasy Sports and Mathematics programs throughout the year.  Every month we'll be posting new audio podcasts/netcasts here on the website and you can also subscribe to the podcast on iTunes or any other podcast/netcast software.

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