Are you looking to transform your classroom, and try something new? Would you like to incorporate more technology into your classroom, or would you like to have your students asking for "MORE! MORE! MORE!" of a lesson or activity? If you can answer YES!!! to these questions, then you must try a Digital Escape Room! You will quickly have your students practicing and applying subject/content skills, critically thinking and collaborating all in one activity, among other things.
What is a Digital Escape Ⓡ?
Escape rooms have become very popular, and these adventures are popping all over. A traditional escape is a physical adventure (based on a theme-a movie, casino, story line, book, etc.) in which players solve puzzles and riddles using clues, hints, and mindful strategies to unlock the object at hand.
Teachers have adapted this idea and have brought it into the classroom. Classroom escape rooms are designed around a unit or activity, and it includes envelopes, clues, puzzles, activities and locks throughout the classroom. However, teachers like myself, have taken the paper out of the escape room and have made it completely digital!
Teachers have adapted this idea and have brought it into the classroom. Classroom escape rooms are designed around a unit or activity, and it includes envelopes, clues, puzzles, activities and locks throughout the classroom. However, teachers like myself, have taken the paper out of the escape room and have made it completely digital!
The Benefits of a Digital Escape:
**In a digital escape room, all the teacher needs is a computer lab, Chromebooks, IPads, or laptops; while in a "paper" escape room, teachers will need many manipulatives like locks, folders, hiding places, printed materials and activities for each student. This is a pefect activity if your classroom is 1:1 with technology.
**When using a Digital Escape, there is ZERO setup. The only item needed for this type of escape room is a website address. The setup for the paper escape rooms can be lengthy, and setting up for the next class may be tricky (however, this may be for you!).
**The Digital Escapes incorporate a whole new set of technology standards that you probably wouldn't normally incorporate into your lessons. Check out these standards from the ISTE Technology Standards:
1. 7b-Students use collaborative technologies to work with others, including peers, experts and community members, to examine a variety of viewpoints.
2. 7c-Students contribute constructively to project teams, assuring various roles and responsibilities to work effectively toward a specific goal.
One aspect all teachers want to see in their classroom is engagement and collaboration. They want to see their students are completely interested in the activity, as well as working collaboratively and responsibly with their peers. Digital Escape Rooms do just this! It take a variety of thinkers to complete a digital escape room. Look at how engaged these students are in my Fortnite Digital Escape!
In addition to collaboration and engagement, there are also quite a few other benefits to trying a Digital Escape in your classroom! Check these out:
A. Your students will tap into their higher-level critical thinking and problem solving skills.
B. Digital Escape Rooms are perfect for your Special Education and ELL students for the practice of communication skills and techniques.
C. Rather than the teacher facilitating the lesson, the students take ownership of their learning.
B. Digital Escape Rooms are perfect for your Special Education and ELL students for the practice of communication skills and techniques.
C. Rather than the teacher facilitating the lesson, the students take ownership of their learning.
E. Digital Escape Rooms will present as a game, but realistically, your students are practicing, learning and applying the subject-specific content, while using important life skills to complete the activity.
F. Simply, they are so much fun!
Where Can I Find These Escapes?
Here are a few amazing Teacher-Authors who sell Digital Escapes. Make to check out their creative, innovative escapes!
Here are some of my Digital Escape Rooms:
Where Can I Find These Escapes?
Here are a few amazing Teacher-Authors who sell Digital Escapes. Make to check out their creative, innovative escapes!
The Roadblocks:
***Of course, like all technology, sometimes there are some roadblocks. I would always suggest checking your school's restrictions with Google Apps and Sites. Many school districts block outside Google Sites, and many of these digital escape rooms are made with this app.
***In addition, I use Jigsaw Planet in some of my escape rooms. This may also be blocked depending on your district's firewalls.
***This is an activity the teacher needs to be prepared for as well. I can guarantee you your students will have questions. Digital Escapes are made to be challenging, and students need to follow directions in order to be successful (we know that many students tend to forget to read the directions!). The teacher should be familiar and should try out the escape on their own first, before implementing it in class.
***In addition, I use Jigsaw Planet in some of my escape rooms. This may also be blocked depending on your district's firewalls.
***This is an activity the teacher needs to be prepared for as well. I can guarantee you your students will have questions. Digital Escapes are made to be challenging, and students need to follow directions in order to be successful (we know that many students tend to forget to read the directions!). The teacher should be familiar and should try out the escape on their own first, before implementing it in class.