students.
Our breakout session was conducted in a teacher education course with a dual focus on classroom management and an introduction to literacy in the elementary classroom, but breakout sessions can be used in any grade level or content area.
Process & Technology Components
The initial step for the planning of our breakout session was deciding on how to group our students (29 students and 2 instructors from two sections of the same course) and how to present the content in a challenging and purposeful manner. Most escape rooms have some sort of a story and being literacy people, we needed to have a literature theme. We decided on Harry Potter and used a video to set the stage and open our session.
Video 1. Introduction video to the Tri-Teacher Tournament
Following the video, students were divided into small groups. Groups were deliberately created to include a mix of students from both class sections, with the intent of promoting greater involvement in solving the challenges. Each small group would follow the same path, completing the same puzzles, and then come together at the end to finally “escape.”
Figure 1. Breakout path
Each group received a paper with their unique links to a Google form. Students received no further instructions at this time. However, in a previous class session, students downloaded HP Reveal, tested it, and were informed the app would be needed for this activity. Numbered wizarding posters were hung around our classrooms and in the hallway. Groups figured out that the questions in the Google form could only be answered through the use of the HP Reveal videos and images. Once all items in the Google form were completed correctly, the group received a 3-digit code response. This unique code unlocked the combination on a pencil pouch. Inside each pouch were a UV pen, a 3D printed puzzle piece, and a Harry Potter riddle.
Figure 2. A team unlocks their pencil pouch.
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