Abstract:

This paper describes how an escape game was designed and implemented for a polytechnic mathematics module. At Singapore Polytechnic, the School of Mathematics and Science, Department of Educational Development and Library collaborated to create an escape room in the library. For this escape room, a cockpit and airplane structure were built in the library. Students boarded the airplane and found the pilot in distress. They had to work in teams to solve a series of puzzles in order to escape from the aircraft. The puzzles require the use of concepts from a variety of mathematics topics that had been taught in the semester. Four classes played the escape room as a form of revision before their end of semester test. After the game, students were surveyed about their escape room learning experience. More than eighty percent of the participants found the escape room interesting and felt that the game helped to enhance their learning. In addition, students reported that they learnt teamwork and picked up problem solving skills. Through the game, they also learnt to apply mathematical concepts in real life.

Keywords:

Escape games, mathematics learning, problem solving, team work.