I hope this is only the first of many posts about Breakout Edu. My first encounter was like many, as a participant. I was in a large group at the Upstate Technology Conference in Greenville, SC this past summer. I only participated by watching but quickly realized I was not used to this way of thinking.
How I was taught and how I have taught my students was mostly through memorization, using background knowledge, and finding evidence to support thinking. These strategies are still useful but the amount of thinking was not in depth.
I decided that I would definitely put my students to the test and give them this experience that they had never had before. The concept brings the Escape Room experience into a classroom. Students are presented with a box (wooden, plastic, or toolbox type) with multiple locks that must be unlocked before opening a locking hasp.
The locks may contain a key lock, number, word and directional lock and even a smaller lock box that must be opened containing clues or other tools needed to eventually open locks. To open the locks, participates must use problem solving, critical thinking, and collaborative skills to "breakout" before the time is up. My students played the game, The Swamp, that used Miss Nelson is Missing, and Miss Viola Swamp as the reason for being trapped.
What I've noticed in the 6 games I've played so far this school year is what I've learned about my students while they are playing. I learned who the leaders are, those who are hesitant to share ideas, and those who have difficulty thinking outside the box. This information provided me with how to approach my instruction as I constantly referred back to our game as we began a new project or assignment.
To enrich this way of thinking, my students are now using the app, Escape Challenge, as a classroom incentive. They simply cannot get enough of these challenges and cannot wait for the next Breakout Edu!
