BreakoutEDU

BreakoutEDU is a game that will have your students thinking critically, problem-solving, troubleshooting, working collaboratively and having so much fun they won't even realize how much they are using their brains!

Attribution: Most of the content for this self-paced PD course come from BreakoutEDU creators James Sanders and Mark Hammons from their site breakoutedu.com

BreakoutEDU games will revive your students' interest in using their brains and develop important skills for success in school and in life:

• critical thinking
• problem solving
• troubleshooting
• collaboration
• content area skills including math, science, social studies and language arts

• "How great it is to be given an opportunity to apply past knowledge and make connections in order to solve new problems." - Maria Galanis, BreakoutEDU - You Had Me At Breakout

• "It’s about struggle in learning. Struggle is fun, exhausting, exhilarating, and it’s good practice for us to step out of kids way, allow them to rely on themselves and their classmates, and make things happen." - Krissy Venosdale, It's Time to Breakout... in Elementary
  

Participating in a BreakoutEDU game is very helpful in learning how it works and being able to facilitate a game in your own classroom. Look for a BreakoutEDU session at a education conference near you!

If you'd like to see a BreakoutEDU game in action with students, we'd welcome you to visit us in Montezuma, IN. Just contact Rachel Porter to set that up!

You may find that facilitating the first game in your classroom is a critical thinking activity for you! But it will be completely worth it and you'll get better at facilitating them each time. So dive in!

There is something extra fun about physically unlocking the locks - much more of a sense of accomplishment! Having a physical kit with various kinds of locks is optional, however, since BreakoutEDU does have a number of games that can be completed digitally. If you want to use a kit you have two options:

You'll need to create an account at breakoutedu.com to get started browsing games. There is a free 14-day trial. When that expires, you'll only have access to the limited number of free games. The paid version is $99 per year and gives you lots of additional cool stuff like "lock of the day" and the ability for you or your students to create games!

Once you're in, you need to determine the game you want to play with your students. Click the button below to browse the game collections. You can apply search filters to help find a game that will work for you:

• grade level
• subject
• digital or kit required

Carefully go through the instructions and materials for your chosen game. You'll need to set locks to specific codes, print items (often in color) and may need to purchase some minor add-ons. Make sure you take time to do this carefully so you don't ruin your game!

Carryout the game with your students! Here are some guidelines to follow:

• Set the stage.
  Explain to students that you are going to have them work together in teams to solve a puzzle that is going to really challenge their brains. It is a race to see which team can solve the puzzle first. Give the game scenario and basics of how to play.
• Explain the Hint Cards
  

  The hint cards allow the players to work to their frustration level, but not beyond. At any point in the game when the players get stuck or frustrated they can ask for a hint. As the facilitator, you can decide how much information you want to give them. It is important that you are familiar with the game and know how all the puzzles are solved, so that you can provide effective hints. If you don’t know the game, go back to the game page (breakotuedu.com/games) and watch the video for that game. Here’s a blog post with different perspectives on the role of the hint cards.

• Review some rules.
  Explain any places in the room that are off limits (maybe the teacher’s desk, book shelves) or any other rules you want to establish.
• Give some tips.
  Talk to your students about The 5 Tips for Success.
• Stay out of it!
  You may find it very hard to not help them, but don't give in to the temptation to nudge them in the right direction! Your only involvement should be to keep order, announce time, and give single hints in exchange for a hint card. When you feel yourself tempted to step in, remember that you are trying to build problem-solving skills and break students of their tendency to rely on others to figure things out for them!
  
• Take pictures!
  Take at least one picture of your students engaged in the game. This will be the evidence you need to earn your badge.

When you have a winner or time runs out, be sure to take a moment to celebrate students' successes and talk about failures. Remind them that they can learn just as much from failure! One great idea is to take pictures of the groups with fun signs and post to a class blog or other social media. You can have students respond to the debrief questions as a class discussion or make a google form to collect individual responses.

Helpful Links & Info

• YouTube Timer

• FAQ
• Contact the BreakoutEDU Team
• Twitter
• Facebook Community
• Blog
• BreakoutEDU Homework
• Store
• Design Your Own Game