OVCA teachers use ‘Zelda’ livestream to help virtual students build key skills
Dec 15, 2025
Oklahoma Virtual Charter Academy is turning a classic video game into a new way for middle schoolers to connect.
TULSA, Okla. –
Two OVCA educators have launched a weekly Zelda livestream that is strengthening reading skills, improving problem-solving and giving students a safe digital space to be themselves.
Below is the full breakdown of how the program works, what students are learning and why the school says it is becoming one of its most effective virtual engagement tools.
How the livestream idea was born
Erin Goodridge, OVCA’s middle school principal, and Natasha Odom, the school’s electives teacher, both share a love of gaming. As the school looked for more ways to increase social opportunities in its virtual format, Goodridge pitched the idea of a Friday afternoon livestream modeled after Twitch.
The goal was to create a fun, interactive place for students to connect with peers and staff.
After receiving approval from OVCA superintendent Audra Plummer, the team set up a system to stream gameplay inside the school’s digital classroom platform. By the first session in September, the interest was clear: more than 70 students logged in.
What happens during the weekly sessions
The livestream uses “Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild,” with Goodridge playing and Odom moderating the chat. Students interact constantly, offering problem-solving ideas, reading dialogue along with the game and even joining on mic when Goodridge asks for help.
The structure also models what a safe and positive livestream looks like. Students learn how to communicate online, respect boundaries and participate in a moderated chat environment.
Because each stream lasts only an hour, Goodridge said it gives students a model for healthy screen time, too.
What students are learning through the game
Although the stream is designed to be fun, teachers say the academic benefits are built in.
Literacy
The Zelda series is text-heavy. Students read dialogue boxes, follow storylines and process new information quickly.
Odom said many students who had never played Zelda have purchased the game after watching, which gives them even more reading practice at home.
Problem solving
The game’s puzzles require critical thinking, spatial reasoning and persistence. Students often work together to solve challenges when Goodridge gets stuck.
Social and emotional learning
Students see an adult model how to manage frustration, work through mistakes and stay calm during challenging tasks. Goodridge said that is especially meaningful for middle schoolers who might be hesitant around school leaders.
Community and connection
After the first month, OVCA surveyed students about the livestream’s impact.
Here is what they reported:
- 90% feel more connected to OVCA
- 86% say it helps them connect with friends
- 66% feel more connected to teachers and school leaders
Goodridge said she plans to compare benchmark scores of frequent livestream attendees with those of the larger student population to see whether the sense of connection boosts academics.
Why the project matters for virtual students
In a fully online school, many students say they miss opportunities to build friendships or see teachers outside the classroom setting. Goodridge and Odom said the livestream gives students a place to show their personalities and feel part of something.
Some students attend every week. Others encourage friends to join. Many email ahead of time to make sure the stream is still happening when the school schedule shifts.
Both teachers say the livestream has become something they personally look forward to. It breaks the routine of a long week and gives them a chance to connect with students in a more relaxed setting.
How students can participate
- The livestream is currently open to OVCA middle school students in grades 6-8.
- Sessions take place Fridays from 2 to 3 p.m. Students can join through their Canvas homeroom calendar, where the livestream link appears as a weekly event.
Why other schools may want to try it
Goodridge and Odom said gaming can be a powerful tool for schools and families, especially when used in moderation.
Story-driven games, puzzle games and problem-solving games can support reading, critical thinking and life skills without students realizing they are learning. They also offer a way to build connections, reduce stress and give students a safe, supervised way to participate in online communities.
Goodridge, who first played Zelda as a way to manage work stress, said she believes it is important for students to see that having fun matters, too.
“It is okay to sit down and have fun and do something that is not specifically school-related,” she said. “It can still have positive outcomes.”