My first time with Breakout EDU was in high school, the environment in one of my classes was off and my teacher wanted a way to get the classroom environment up and the class collaboration. Breakout EDU was a great hands-on way to interact with class content while working on teamwork. I also had the opportunity in ECI 201 to interact with the online version of Breakout EDU and learned how many resources are available on multiple platforms like the internet.
What is breakout edu?
https://www.edtechteam.com/blog/2018/03/immersive-learning-with-breakout-edu-for-schools/
Now I am sure that you may be wondering what Breakout EDU is so I am going to explain it. Breakout EDU is a game learning platform for kids of all ages that consisted of digital and physical puzzles. This game challenges critical thinking, collaboration, creativity, and communication.
How is it played?
https://www.slj.com/?detailStory=breakout-edu-brings-escape-room-strategy-to-the-classroom-slj-review
The main objective of the game is to unlock the box with numerous locks on it. Players are usually put into teams to solve these puzzles, and start off with a few clues that lead to combinations to the locks. Teammates work together and communicate with each other on hints that they find and test out the combinations on the locks. The group has to get all the locks off and open the box before the timer runs out.
How can it be used in the classroom?
Breakout EDU offers a physical version of this game, or they even offer an online one. Teachers can use the puzzles to correspond with class content like reading articles that go with units in class. Teachers can hide hints in reading articles for students to use to get the combinations to the locks. Teachers can even choose to offer hints to students when they get stuck on a combination. Another benefit of using this game is that it builds upon the 4 C’s for students. Lastly, the game also teaches students to never give up because as you can imagine students won’t get the combinations right away so they have to know how to keep on going after they don’t get something their first try.
What I learned
From playing Breakout EDU first handed I learned how engaging teachers can make lessons. Also, I learned that many students can have fun learning and not even know that they are learning.
https://rossieronline.usc.edu/blog/edchat-connects-education-community-four-cs/
Breakout EDU doesn’t only teach students classroom content but it also enhances their personalities and makes them well rounded by focusing on the 4 C’s.
I even did some research to see what people say on Breakout EDU in the classroom and I found a few things. Here is an article I found that discusses various benefits of using Breakout EDU. I even found an article that discusses Breakout EDU in the classroom and other versions similar to it, click here to read the article! Also, I found a great video that goes over the power of Breakout EDU, click here to watch it.
How I will use what I learned in my future class
https://shakeuplearning.com/blog/breakoutedu-more-than-a-time-filling-game/
From my experience with Breakout EDU, I learned how important it is to engage my students with my class content, not just with Breakout EDU but even other resources in general. I plan to include Breakout EDU in my future classroom and even research other resources that make lessons hands-on. It is very important to me to make my students well rounded and not just good students so it will be important for me to utilize resources that foster the 4 C’s. I think it is also important to teach my students that it is okay to fail at something and that it is important to never give up. It is important especially in today’s society where students are held to such high standards that they know to never give up and keep on trying. Overall, my experience with Breakout EDU taught me a lot about what environment I want to have in my classroom and the important things I want to teach my students.