Breakout Edu
What is breakout edu?
You may have realized a craze taking place across the states known as escape or breakout rooms. It seems like overnight, these puzzle-driven, critical thinking, problem-based rooms have become a hit. Even high school seniors are wanting to participate in them while on Senior Trip (trust me I know - I planned a visit for them)! Breakout EDU has created an academically based version that is amazing! "Breaking out" requires kids to communicate, collaborate, critically think, and get creative as they work to solve puzzles and clues to unlock the locks on the box (or digital form). Breakout EDU sell pre-made kits here - but you can also make your own (DIY list below). I have both a kit from them and ones that I have put together from my own funds and that of grant funding through Donors Choose. With the purchase of a Breakout EDU Kit with Platform Access - you also gain access to a variety of subject pack games that have been created, evaluated, and verified by the Breakout EDU team. PLUS - they have amazing customer service and actively participate on their Facebook pages to lend support or answer questions. If you choose not to buy platform access, you still have access to literally hundreds of free games created by users that meet specific criteria of the Breakout EDU crew.
Helpful Links - Physical Games Breakout EDU
Breakout EDU Facebook - General Discussion - There are also content specific groups you can join. Getting Started with Breakout EDU Breakout Clue Tools - Symbaloo Mix Community Sourced Clue Ideas Breakout EDU Lock Tutorials Build Your Own Kit (with Amazon Links) - I did NOT make this document, but I did end up purchasing many of the items on it. Designing Your Own Game Resources Lock Brainstorming Template - I use this any time I plan a physical game and it would be handy for the digital ones as well. You DO NOT have to use all the items listed. |
Helpful Links - Digital GamesEven though Breakout EDU just launched a new digital tool, they started with Google Sites - and I have to admit - I prefer Sites over their new tool (which I haven't played with much)...but they made an awesome list of resources for us here:
Build Your Own - Breakout EDU Digital Digital ExamplesThis site was one of my very first experiences with digital breakouts and gave me the encouragement to tackle my own:
Tom's Digital Breakouts I am fairly new to this - I started in October of 2017 and hope to spend the summer adding to my curriculum, but here is a link to ones that I have created: Vande's Digital Breakouts |
All of the information provided here has in some way, shape, or form been inspired by James Sanders, Mark Hammons, BreakoutEDU.com and Justin Birckbichler's and Mari Venturino's work at DigitalBreakout.