Educational Escape Rooms
What is an EER?
Welcome to WOU Educational Escape Room, where education meets adventure, and learning is an exhilarating quest!
An educational escape room (EER) is a type of game-based learning where players interact with disciplinary content and/or skills to solve different kinds of puzzle tasks. The tasks are typically linear (meaning one leads to another) and have a specific learning goal that players meet within a time limit (usually 45 minutes to one hour). Tasks and clues are often hidden in boxes with numeric, alphabetic, or pictorial locks on them. In EERs, players are immersed in a simulated situation that they must somehow resolve. An EER is simply another innovative medium for teaching and learning and the goal is supporting students in meeting the learning objectives through a game-based design.
Since EERs are educational tools, we prioritize accessibility and ensure that learning and fun go hand in hand. For example, if you feel that a time limit is overwhelming, and it is not part of the educational objectives of the game, we will not use one!
Where are WOU Educational Escape Rooms located?
Currently, WOU has two physical EERs, which are located in:
Click the links above to see each prospective space!
What are the Game Play modes?
In-Person/ Hybrid
Your in-person/hybrid escape adventure will unfold in either Maaske Hall 110 (Mondays) or Library 218 (Fridays); however, if in groups, members of your team can also join you on Zoom in a hybrid (with both in-person and remote players) mode, which means at least one person must be in the room. In-person games can be played both individually (1 player) or in groups (2-5 players). It is also possible, by arrangement, to host larger groups (up to 8 players) in the Maaske Hall game room.
Digital/ Virtual
We also offer digital/virtual EER escape games (Courtesy of Breakout Edu.) through our Canvas course. Accessing the course does not require any sign-ups, but if you’re interested in participating in the discussions, you need to self-enroll in the course using this form. We also offer digital/virtual EER escape games (Courtesy of Breakout Edu.) through our Canvas course. Accessing the course does not require any sign-ups, but if you’re interested in participating in the discussions, you need to self-enroll in the course using this form.
Who Can Play?
Anyone with a WOU connection can sign up and play. Whether you are a student, faculty, or staff member, you are welcome to sign up for our games and bring your friends, colleagues, peers, professors, students, and family along. You can also play solo if you prefer so.
How Much is It?
Playing is completely free of charge, making learning through play accessible to all. Whether you play solo or in a group, be sure you (and the rest of your party, if any) submit the consent form when you sign up for a game.
Who Facilitates the Games?
Center for Teaching and Learning facilitates the WOU escape room. If you have any questions and/or you are interested in co-developing an escape game, please feel free to reach out to us at CTL@wou.edu. We also maintain a Canvas course where we regularly post digital/virtual escape games and also collaborate on game design. Come join us!
Current In-person/Hybrid Games
The Case of X
Detective Flash, who has a sweet tooth and is on the trail of a notorious museum thief, is lured into and locked in a room after smelling the warm, sweet smell of freshly baked cookies, wafting out of the open doorway. There’s a timer attached to the computer in the room counting down–this is all the time Detective Flash has to open the door and catch the thief. But this is not an easy job, as the thief has filled the room with puzzles and mysteries that Detective Flash needs to solve in order to open the door. Will you join Detective Flash on this challenge?
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- Focus: 21st century skills: Collaboration, communication, critical thinking, problem solving, and technological literacy
- Target Audience: All levels
- Room: Maaske Hall 110
Save the Commas!
Hehehe! It’s me, the Comma Monster! Your class keeps forgetting to use commas and sometimes doesn’t put them in the right places, so I’m gonna take them and eat them! Yum yum yum! When I get your commas, your writing won’t make any sense! You won’t understand the stories you read, and no one will know what you mean when you text or email them. That means you won’t have any fun learning at all! Oh, I’ll give you one chance, though! Because I’m so nice! The only way to stop me from taking your commas is to review the four rules for comma use and solve the puzzles I’ve left for you in the classroom. Do you have a copy of the comma rules? No? I bet the teacher has one on their desk. You better hurry and find him and get started because you only have 45 minutes to solve the puzzles before it’s too late. Haha! Good luck, not really! Watch the challenge video.
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- Focus: Grammar
- Target Audience: All levels
- Room: Hamersly Library 218
Feedback
If you have participated in our games, please take a moment to fill out our survey. WOU Educational Escape Room is a new service and we are excited to hear your feedback and suggestions to continue improving it.
Accessibility Statement
The Center for Teaching and Learning is committed to inclusive access to all of its programming. We are happy to coordinate with you and the Office of Disability Services to make any arrangements necessary for you to fully participate in our programs. If you have any questions about what sort of accommodations and supports are available for events and programs at WOU, please contact Disability Services at 503-838-8250 or ods@wou.edu.
