Innovative Pedagogy Unveiled: Navigating the Future of Education through Escape Rooms

Abstract

The study aimed to explore the impact of an "Escape Rooms Applied to Education" course on Turkish educators' perceptions and experiences. The methodology involved administering two questionnaires, one before and one after the course, to assess participants' familiarity with escape rooms, expectations, and perceptions of their educational potential. The course covered topics like game-based learning, instructional design, and strategies for creating and facilitating escape room experiences. The analysis revealed that most participants initially had limited knowledge about escape rooms, but their perceptions became increasingly positive after the course. Participants recognized the potential of escape rooms to stimulate various student competencies, such as problem-solving, self-confidence, and technological skills. The course received an extremely positive evaluation, with an overall average of 4.625 out of 5. The study highlights the positive reception of escape rooms' educational potential among educators, emphasizing their motivational and engaging qualities. Participants' definitions of escape rooms evolved, recognizing their playful, enigmatic, and challenging aspects. Overall, the study contributes valuable insights into harnessing innovative pedagogies like escape rooms to navigate the future of education effectively.