Setting up Educational Escape Games: Lessons learned in a Higher Education setting

Educational Escape Games are active learning strategies, as students solve problems related with the curriculum content to "escape" from the physical place where they are "locked". This paper describes the implementation of two Escape Games aimed at Computer Science undergraduate students, at Instituto Superior Tecnico, University of Lisbon. The procedure followed to create the games is presented and both activities are described and evaluated. Also, tips for teachers willing to build similar Educational Escape Games are suggested. Our goal was to understand: a) if students are motivated to this kind of learning experience; b) if students are aware of the possible learning gains when participating in these activities; c) if students do, effectively, feel that they have learned something; d) which are the achievements of this kind of activities (perceived by the teachers). Considering the feedback given by students, they do engage in this kind of activity, are aware of the learning gains and do feel it was a fruitful learning experience. In addition, and despite being time-consuming, this activity was considered a success by the teaching staff/organizing team.