Learning through Puzzles

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 Hello again!

Today I want to show you how something that even adults get to enjoy, since many of them are now addicted to do as many as possible and that’s is: the Escape Rooms. With the bonus that it is completely free to implement in classes and I want to show you that, even though link it to geometry seems impossible, I am glad to make you see how wrong you are. 

Let's take a look at the following video to understand better which appreach we are going to have towards this tool that we are talking about today:

Imagine this: your classroom turns into a mysterious world filled with clues, locked boxes, secret codes, and... geometry! Where students solve puzzles based on angles, shapes, and spatial reasoning to ‘‘escape’’ the room. It is not just a game, it is meaningful and they learn by doing. 

Geometry can be very abstract for young learners. But when you transform a math lesson into a game, a story-based challenge, the concepts become more visual, tactile and memorable. According López et al (2023) escape rooms primarily promote:

  • Problem-solving and critical thinking

  • Collaboration and communication

  • Application of geometric concepts in context

How?

  1. Set the Scene: It is important to choose a fun theme that catches their attention. As an example of a fictional context could be: have been trapped inside a pyramid and must solve shape-based riddles to get out. Another could be: they are junior architects trying to open a blueprint vault.
  2. Design the Challenges: Each station or puzzle should focus on a specific geometric skill, such as: Identifying 2D/3D shapes from clues, using protractors to measure angles, sorting shapes by properties or following coordinates on a grid to find hidden messages (Boaler, 2022). With that, you assure that you get to work with the different concepts in a separately way and at the end they will have gotten to learn a wide variety of knowledge. 
  3. Create the Tools: Use printable locks, QR codes, hidden messages in polygons or apps like Breakout EDU or Genially to digitize the experience (Clarke et al., 2017).
  4. Let Them Play (and Learn): Divide students into small teams. It is extremely important to have a role of a monitor where our work is to watch them as they strategize, debate and apply math concepts in a context that feels more like a game than a lesson (Nicholson, 2015).

Escape rooms can be adapted for different levels, mixed-ability groups or even outdoor learning. Want to go unplugged? Use paper envelopes, colored string, and laminated puzzles. The only limit is yourself, how much you want to do and how much time do you want to spend doing it. 

By turning your geometry lessons into escape rooms, you will not only captivate your students, you will create deep, lasting understanding of spatial concepts. It is learning with purpose, play and a touch of mystery.


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REFERENCES:

Boaler, J. (2022). Mathematical mindsets: Unleashing students' potential through creative mathematics, inspiring messages and innovative teaching. John Wiley & Sons.

Clarke, S., Peel, D., Arnab, S., Morini, L., y Wood, O. (2017). EscapED: A framework for creating educational escape rooms and interactive games to for higher/further education. International Journal of Serious Games, 4(3), 73-86.

López-Pernas, Sonsoles. (2023). Educational Escape Rooms Are Effective Learning Activities Across Educational Levels and Contexts: A Meta-Analysis. IEEE Transactions on Learning Technologies. PP. 10.1109/TLT.2023.3328913. 

Nicholson, S. (2015). Peeking behind the locked door: A survey of escape room facilities. https://scottnicholson.com/pubs/erfacwhite.pdf

Project Eduescape. (2021, 12 mayo). What is educational escape room? [Vídeo]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XVQ8Ot_QyLQ


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