Breakout EDU - Activities/Games in the Library

 Breakout EDU:  I've been hearing about this new activity at the beginning of the school year, and I had casually bookmarked a couple of articles and websites.  Sadly, I was unable to go back to it as my first year whirled along until our SBTS teacher asked us a couple  of days ago whether we wanted to join  him in rolling out BreakoutEDU to administrators, staff, and students during March and April in the library. I am pretty excited about this upcoming development, and I am now digging up all the information I can in preparation.

What is Breakout EDU? http://www.breakoutedu.com/how-it-works/

• Active learning, hands-on, problem-solving game that encourages collaboration and creativity. It can be used in all curricular areas and is suitable for both small and large groups.  Personally, I like the flexibility of this puzzle game as it be used at any point of instruction: to pre-assess, reinforce,  or as a culminating activity. Teachers/librarians can purchase kits or make their own! There are tons of resources on Twitter, Facebook, and Pintrest.

On-line Resources: websites, blogs, etc.

1. http://www.breakoutedu.com/welcome

• Provides tips and background (multimedia options) on how to setup a Breakout EDU session. Additionally, it has a very informative blog on this site that shares ideas on how Breakout EDU is used by different content areas. Also like the pre-made games that teachers/librarians can DIY.

2. http://www.mightylittlelibrarian.com

• A general introduction to Breakout EDU, and one of the first places I had heard about this game.

3. http://www.nikkidrobertson.com/2016/04/breakout-edu-jchs-library.html

• Shows how a HS librarian implemented Breakout EDU in her library.

4. Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/breakoutedulibrary/

5. Pintrest: https://www.pinterest.com/vickiblackwell/breakout-edu/

Articles

1. http://www.slj.com/2016/09/reviews/tech/breakout-edu-brings-escape-room-strategy-to-the-classroom-slj-review/#_

• A handy introduction to Breakout EDU and how it has the similar concept of the popular Escape Rooms. Provides links to resources and additional information.

2. https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2016/09/01/escape-rooms-libraries-on-lockdown/

• Talks about how to set up Escape Rooms( Breakout EDU) during Teen Tech Week to promote problem-solving and technology skills in the library.

3. https://www.commonsense.org/education/blog/build-collaboration-skills-with-breakout-edu

• Explains how Breakout EDU teaches students that working together to solve problems is more effective.

4.http://www.eschoolnews.com/2016/08/08/stretch-students-collaboration-skills-with-breakout-edu

• Illustrates how this game allows students to work together to solve problems. Provides additional information on how to implement it in the library.

One can never have too much fun in the library, and this sounds like an ideal way to combine fun and learning!