Embedded Files
The "Breakout" activities I have put together for my students have really been a hit. I typically use them as more of a review tool. I have found that students put more emphasis on trying to solve the puzzles rather than really trying to understand the content. Thus having learned the content prior to running the "Breakout," gives students a bit more context and familiarity with the information they are encountering. My favorite aspect of the "Breakout" exercise is that it gets kids thinking outside the box, while also diving into content and information relevant to the topic we are currently studying. The answers to solving the puzzles often take time. A student cannot always look for a "black and white" answer. A properly constructed "Breakout" will challenge a student to the point of frustration, yet rarely, will I give hints or help during the exercise. I tell students, "All the information you need to find the answer has been given to you. You need to look at the information in a different perspective." Once students start to find success, it becomes contagious. They will solve one lock and immediately want that feeling again. My classes have rarely been more engaged with a single day activity than they are with the "Breakouts" I have created for them. The time it takes to create them up-front can be quite the investment, but it is worth every bit of the prep time. To be honest, I truly enjoy creating a "Breakout" as much as students enjoy working through them!
The "Breakout" activities I have put together for my students have really been a hit. I typically use them as more of a review tool. I have found that students put more emphasis on trying to solve the puzzles rather than really trying to understand the content. Thus having learned the content prior to running the "Breakout," gives students a bit more context and familiarity with the information they are encountering. My favorite aspect of the "Breakout" exercise is that it gets kids thinking outside the box, while also diving into content and information relevant to the topic we are currently studying. The answers to solving the puzzles often take time. A student cannot always look for a "black and white" answer. A properly constructed "Breakout" will challenge a student to the point of frustration, yet rarely, will I give hints or help during the exercise. I tell students, "All the information you need to find the answer has been given to you. You need to look at the information in a different perspective." Once students start to find success, it becomes contagious. They will solve one lock and immediately want that feeling again. My classes have rarely been more engaged with a single day activity than they are with the "Breakouts" I have created for them. The time it takes to create them up-front can be quite the investment, but it is worth every bit of the prep time. To be honest, I truly enjoy creating a "Breakout" as much as students enjoy working through them!
"Response Validation" in "Google Forms"
"Response Validation" in "Google Forms"
I use "Google Forms" to run my "Breakouts." (If you have not worked in "Google Forms" before, click HERE to navigate to the startpage!) Within "Google Forms" there is a option for what is called "Response validation." This function, when enabled, requires an exact entry from the user filling out the "Form." Through this function, a digital "Breakout" can be created! See the steps below on how to create a "Form" employing the "Response validation" function!
1. After customizing your "Form" to include the banner or color scheme you would like, give your "Form" a title.
2. Click the "Add question" button on the right, then click the down arrow to change the question format.
3. Select "Short answer."
**NOTE** "Response validation" is only available as an option for "Short answer" and "Paragraph" question formats.
4. Click on the vertical ellipsis to access the question options. Then under "Show," select "Description" and "Response validation."
5. In the "Question" line, identify the type of "lock" to be solved. In the "Description" line, identify the format in which the "key" must be entered. Then click the down arrow to change the type of "Response validation."
6. From the dropdown menu which appears, select "Text."
7. Be sure that the validation criteria is set to "Contains." (It should be the default option.) In the "Text" line, enter the "Key," the answer required to correctly solve the "Lock." In the "Custom error text" line, enter the phrase, "STILL LOCKED!" This phrase will appear until the correct answer is entered.
8. Toggle the "Required" option to the "On" position. This will require that a student solves the "Lock" before being able to submit the "Form."
Repeat these steps until the desired number of "Locks" has been created!
"Locks" and "Keys"
"Locks" and "Keys"
Below is a table listing a number of different locks which could be used in setting up a "Breakout." The different types of "Locks" are listed on the left along with a description of the "Lock" as well. I have given a suggested format as well, which serves as a guide for the player as to how the "Key" should be entered into the "Lock" and an example of how the correct entry might look. Additionally, I have provided an example "Clue" from which that particular "Key" or entry was found. See if you can locate the "Key" within the "Clue!"
Ultimately, these are just suggested "Locks" and your "Breakout" can look any way that you'd like. Come up with your own "Locks" and get creative with hiding your "Clues." A "Breakout" is more effective when you are able to force your students to dive into the studied content in order to solve the "Locks." The energy and effort you put into creating the activity will be visible to your students. The more fun you have setting up your "Breakout," the more fun your students will have trying to "Breakout!"
"Clue" Ideas
"Clue" Ideas
I have a great deal of fun putting these "Breakouts" together. For me, coming up with fun ways of hiding the "Keys" within the "Clues" is the most enjoyable part of the creation process. There are so many ways to accomplish this. Below are a few resources which I have used to create "Clues" of my own. Again, these are just a few examples. See if you can come up with your own unique way of hiding "Keys" within "Clues!"
Click the links located in the descriptions below to take you to the homepage for that resource!
1. Snotes - This website allows you to create "Secret Notes." Input four lines of text and "Snotes" will generate a layered figure, made up of that text. That figure can then be rotated and tilted a variety of ways to make readable those lines of text.
2. Jigsaw Planet - This website allows you to upload any image and have that image made into a digital jigsaw puzzle. Players would need to connect the pieces as they would any traditional jigsaw puzzle to view the original image.
3. Fake Ticket Generator - This website allows you to create fake tickets to whatever event you would like. Players would need to digest all the information on the event ticket to uncover the "Key" hidden within.
4. Rebus Club - This website allows you to enter any text and have that text turned into pictogram. The pictogram will be shown with a particular "rule" which must be followed in order to decipher the pictogram. The player must figure out what the picture is representing, along with understanding how to correctly apply the rule.
5. Google Sheets - Using conditional formatting within "Google Sheets," set up a math problem or word jumble, which when solved will reveal a hidden message.
**Note** This would require a knowledge of how to correctly use functions and formulas.
6. Google Docs - Take any text and paste it into a Google Doc. Then bold, italicize, or otherwise highlight the letters within, which when put together or unscrambled would spell out a word or phrase. The player would need to identify and determine the meaning of the word or phrase.
7. Fodey - Use this newspaper clipping generator to quickly write short article clippings that seem as if they were pulled straight out of today's newspaper!
8. FlipText - Enter any text into the FlipText generator and it will appear flipped below! Embed answers within the flipped text or provide clues to find answers within the flipped text!
Other simpler clues could also be employed:
Other simpler clues could also be employed:
Link to a website with the "Key" to be found by digesting the material on the site
Link to a video with the "Key" to be found by watching and listening to it
Link to an image, chart, graph, or map with the "Key" to be found by analyzing the content
These are just a few ideas to get your creative juices flowing! Try and come up with your own as well!
These are just a few ideas to get your creative juices flowing! Try and come up with your own as well!
Additional "Breakout" Resources
Additional "Breakout" Resources
Click HERE and check out this list of "Clue" ideas from other "Digital Breakout" creators!
Click HERE to access the homepage of the official "Breakout Edu" website to find out more about their philosophy and their physical "Breakout Boxes."
Click HERE to check out "Breakout Edu Digital," the official "Breakout Edu" version of a "Digital Breakout."
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