This workshop explores how teachers, administrators, and teacher trainers can use escape games (also known as breakout games) to facilitate professional development and learning, collaboration between colleages, and highlight the importance of effective communication. As a bonus, breakout games also help to highlight the fact that during collaboration, a variety of viewpoints and ways of thinking can be an asset. Participants will have the opportunity to participate in a breakout game and then try their hand at creating their own escape game.
Breakout games and escape rooms are all the craze for both recreation and classroom instruction. But, how can we apply this as a way to spice up professional development and engage adults? Breakout of boring explores how administrators, teachers, and teacher trainers can use breakout games and escape games to facilitate professional learning of fellow educators. Participants will begin by participating in a short breakout game that leads them to identify the key elements of a breakout game. Then, the facilitator will discuss tools, methods and pedagogy of implenting breakout games during professional development, along with game design. Participants will then have hands-on time to begin working independently or collaboratively on developing a breakout game for an upcoming training, workshop, or staff meeting they will be leading.