I thought I would take the time to tell you about a new favorite of mine. It is not technology based. In fact, it utilizes a box with lots of locks on it. However, it is not the box that makes this awesome. It is what you add to it that makes it so cool. It is called Breakout EDU (http://www.breakoutedu.com/). Breakout EDU is similar to the hot trend of escape rooms. Educators create a lesson around any topic you can imagine. (The only limits are your own creativity!) Then you put students on a type of scavenger hunt where they use clues to try and solve different types of locks (word, number, directional, color, etc). The goal is to solve all of the problems and open the last box before the timer runs out. If you want to make it really awesome...add a candy treat to the last box! (Who doesn't love candy!!!)
In the following YouTube video, one of the Breakout EDU founders explains the concept behind Breakout EDU. He mentions on one the slides that by using Breakout EDU in the classroom, we are providing students with the opportunity for Critical Thinking, Collaboration and Creativity which should all be vital elements of our library lessons. Here is a YouTube video showing an elementary class trying to Breakout for the first time.
Articles about Breakout EDU:
- http://www.fractuslearning.com/2015/11/03/breakout-edu-you-had-me/ - https://engagetheirminds.com/2016/01/06/breakoutedu/ - http://www.mightylittlelibrarian.com/?p=1357 - https://dougfrankish.wordpress.com/2016/01/12/breakout-of-traditional-education-with-breakout-edu/ Purchase: There are currently two versions of the Breakout boxes. The original wooden box costs $119 and the newer plastic version is $89. Instructions are available on the website on how to build a similar box using resources found on Amazon or at a local hardware store. *Personal Advice: I would consider buying more than one Breakout box if you have the money or at least buying other types of boxes that you can lock. If you try to run a Breakout with small groups, it is hard to run things smoothly with only one box. Students do not like to wait! New Feature: This summer, Breakout EDU launched a LOCKS app. This app allows you to create almost any type of lock you can imagine on your iPad or other device. The iPad would then be placed inside one of your Breakout EDU boxes for students to find and unlock. Here is the video explaining how the app works!
Additional Resource:
There is a wonderful Breakout EDU community on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/groups/breakoutedu/. Educators around the globe are constantly sharing ideas, lessons, and findings. This is a great resources to get ideas for your own Breakouts! Breakout EDU is all about being creative and collaborating with others, whether you are the person trying to breakout of the box or the person trying to create lesson! Breakout is a great platform to teach all of our library skills to our students and even possibly some of our teachers. I hope you like this. It is truly an amazing concept and students really do love it!
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