Let’s escape together! The motivating possibilities of escape rooms in processing compulsory reading

Abstract

In the present research, the concepts of gamification, motivation, flow and escape rooms serve as the base of the theoretical background. The aim of this research are twofold. First, as a methodological experiment, to create an escape room that can be used in the practise of teaching, which might help to successfully synthetize elementary school compulsory reading. Second, to complement scientific discourse on gamification by introducing the methodical background of escape rooms, and, by collecting escape room projects that are already being used in education. This empirical research combines project pedagogy and questionnaire-based research methods. Results show that when students filled in the tests the second time, there was a significant performance increase regarding total scores and in certain sub-tasks as well, which were expected. The escape room was considered to be an enjoyable way to learn by students. Although in most cases the children have experienced complete or mid-flow, in some cases they also chose the other two options as well in rare cases. Based on the current result of the research, the escape room is eligible for the synthetization of the book called The Paul Street Boys by Ferenc Molnár. Furthermore, it provided to be an enjoyable way to spend time for children.