Digital Escape Rooms

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One thing I miss during this pandemic is doing an escape room. There is something rewarding about flexing your logic muscles, solving puzzles, and physically unlocking locks. Many educators have adapted this kind of game for their classroom, and even further adaptation has been necessary to make the game hands-free. Here are a few ideas for making your classroom escape room digital!

First-Timer?

  • Using Answer Validation in Google Forms - Learn how to use Google Forms that require specific answers (sort of like a quiz). I use Google Forms for each lock, while other teachers use the same form for all of their locks.

Intermediate Puzzle Ideas

  • Maze for a Direction Lock - This one example of what the maze could look like. Students follow their answers through the maze. The directions that they go through the maze become the correct combination for the lock. When using Google Forms for the locks, I use the letters UDRL for up, down, right, left.
  • Jigsaw Puzzle - Here is one example. I have used https://im-a-puzzle.com/ to make any image into a puzzle. For this particular example, I took a screenshot of vocabulary matching and used that image in the puzzle.
  • Audio Files - This works particularly well for World Languages courses. Record dialogue, descriptions, and more in another language and embed the file into your Google Slide Escape Room.

Advanced Puzzle Ideas

  • Google Slides Drag & Drop - Here is an example of a drag and drop activity in slides. I took a screenshot of the table and instructions and added that as the background of the slide (so it doesn’t move). When sharing with students, I “force copy” the slide so they don’t manipulate my original. This is done by changing the word “edit” in the link to the word “copy.” Note: sometimes students need to be in presentation mode or the Slides app in order to manipulate.
  • Pixel Art - This is an example that will work well for a “Color Lock” combination. For each answer, a color is revealed. The order of the colors can be the lock combination. Pixel Art can also be used as a check for understanding - students receive immediate feedback if the color does not appear!  Instructions Here.
  • Collaborative Support Document - Use a live Google Doc to help students troubleshoot and ask questions for help. Whether you are conducting the digital escape room in class or students are doing it virtually from home, a collaborative support document can be a go-to guide if a student gets stuck.

Try One!
  • Solar System Escape Room - This is one of the first digital escape rooms I created with Slides and Forms. Give it a try!
Happy making and escaping!

Stephanie Clark, Noblesville East Middle School

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