Gamified eLearning
Escape rooms are inherently engaging and fun. They present learners with exciting challenges and puzzles that pique their curiosity and motivate them to actively participate in the learning process. This engagement can be especially beneficial in eLearning, where learner motivation can be a significant challenge.
Audience: Students studying to be dental hygienists or dentists
Responsibilities: Instructional Design, eLearning Development, Visual Design, Storyboard, Mockups, and Video production.
Tools Used: Storyline 360 and Canva.
Creating an escape room for online learners can be a fun and engaging way to facilitate learning, but it also comes with its own set of challenges.
Technology and Access Issues:
Problem: Not all learners may have access to the required technology, such as a reliable internet connection or specific software.
Solution:
Ensure the escape room is accessible on a variety of devices, including smartphones and tablets.
Offer downloadable versions of the escape room for offline use.
Provide clear instructions and technical support for participants.
Complexity and Difficulty Levels:
Problem: Striking the right balance between making the escape room challenging and ensuring that it's solvable for the target audience can be challenging.
Solution:
Conduct pilot testing with a small group to gauge the difficulty level and adjust puzzles and clues accordingly.
Provide hints or a tiered hint system to assist participants who may be stuck.
Include a built-in timer to encourage teamwork and add an element of urgency.
Accessibility and Inclusivity:
Problem: Ensuring that the escape room is accessible to all learners, including those with disabilities, can be a challenge.
Solution:
Design the escape room with accessibility features in mind, such as alt text for images, keyboard navigation, and screen reader compatibility.
Provide options for adjusting the difficulty level or customizing the experience based on individual needs.
Assessment and Learning Outcomes:
Problem: Assessing whether participants have achieved the intended learning outcomes can be difficult in an escape room setting.
Solution:
Incorporate learning objectives into the storyline and puzzles, making it clear how each challenge relates to the educational content.
Include a post-escape room reflection or quiz to reinforce key takeaways.
Encourage participants to discuss their experiences and learning outcomes as part of a debriefing session.
My Process
When I was creating an eLearning escape room, I wanted to make sure it was fun and engaging way to deliver educational content. The first thing I did was start by identifying the specific learning objectives I wanted to achieve with the escape room and what knowledge did I want learners to learn. Next, I needed to get permission to take a 360 photo of a Dentist office. I used my 360 camera to get image of an office. Then I had to decide how many questions would in the escape room. I wanted this to be fun so I made hot spots to show the students what to click so they wouldn’t be frustrated on what to do. I did not want a time limit on the escape room so students could work at their own pace. Since this was supposed to be fun, I decided it would not be graded. Lastly, I tested the escape room for any problems and to make sure students were able to escape the room.