Learning: It's not just for lectures anymore

Quick! Tell me your favorite lecture!

...

Anyone?

Let's not fool ourselves; lectures aren't exactly engaging. Even though the majority of traditional learning happens in a sit and listen setting, it doesn't do much to hold the attention of the audience, let alone give listeners a reason to remember the information (other than "this will be on you next test").

Now if I told the class that it was WWII and they are part of a resistance group that is responsible for smuggling precious artworks out of the country to keep them out of the hands of the Nazis? BAM! I know have a rapt, focused audience.

Escape rooms in classrooms are a growing trend as escape rooms become more popular and their potential for learning (and fun) becomes more well known. And it makes sense!  Problem-solving naturally occurs in an escape room and it isn't hard to incorporate historical facts or mathematical principles into the puzzle.  In fact in Ohio, there is an escape room that bases their adventures on historical events. Granted it seems like a really daunting task, and the first time you create one, it's going to take a bit of time!  Fortunately thanks to the growing their popularity and Google, there are resources you can turn to.

*Classcraft breaks down the steps of how to transform your lesson and classroom into an adventure!  As a company, they are seeking to make learning more effective and interactive by using escape rooms, storytelling, and even video games.  Just because it's non-traditional doesn't mean it's not a good idea.  Again, can you tell me your favorite lecture?  Or conference meeting?  And what you remembered from it?

Interactive mediums like escape rooms and video games draw you in because you are involved and you actually learn concepts because you need to apply them to achieve your objectives and move forward.

*We Are Teachers is a supportive community for teachers and they have a ton of articles on ideas for the classroom, resources, and just good old support.  They have an article on how to build your escape room, and another about the materials you may need!

Now, most teachers I know are ridiculously busy, between curriculum, grading, meetings, lesson planning, and teaching, time is precious and extremely hard to find.  You want to do this, but how on earth are you going to find the time?!  Have no fear!!  There are companies that provide kits you can use and *Lock. Paper. Scissors one let's you download printables, storylines, and kits.  *The Escape Classroom has a whole host of escape workshops, as they call them, that are all curriculum based and different difficulties and age categories.

Breakpoint has also created remote escape rooms!  Last October we created several escape rooms for them on each campus, utilizing different classrooms on site to create each escape scenario.  If this sounds like something of interest to you give us a call or email and we will see what we can dream up for you!

What are your thoughts on Escape Rooms in classrooms?! Would you do it? Or if your child's teacher did it? Comment below!