Let’s Open the Locker of Creativity - How the Traditional Educational Escape Room Changed into a Virtual Puzzle Game During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

This research aimed to analyze the opinions of prospective early childhood and primary school teachers regarding implementing the educational escape room method in the teaching process in three forms: traditional 1:1, miniature version, and virtual. These three forms have been utilized in blended learning sessions since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, necessitating alternatives to physical, educational escape rooms. This qualitative study is based on the focus group interview method, conducted in 12 discussion focus groups. The participants consisted of 62 female final-year master’s degree students who, over one semester, participated in an elective course designed to familiarize them with the educational escape room (EER) method. The research findings indicate that most respondents perceive more advantages than disadvantages in the educational escape room method across all its forms. Students observe a positive impact on team building, collaboration, motivation, and satisfaction with task completion. Respondents suggest that puzzle-solving is an activity suitable for individuals of all ages, and they consider creating their own EER project as an effective method of working with youth and adults.