I recently got a chance to sit down with Billings, Montana high school teacher-librarian/technology integration specialist (aka a lady who has practically seven full-time jobs and crushes every one of them with her magic and enthusiasm) Shaundel Krumheuer. She had hosted a special event in her library, and with her two library colleagues, ran four games simultaneously with nine groups over the course of three days. If that gives you the mouth-sweats (as she would say), she actually called it “one of the most rejuvenating days” she’s experienced in the library. Here’s what else she had to say about it:
Our high school library received a grant for 12 Breakout EDU kits plus Schoolwide Full Platform Access last spring, and have been partnering with classroom teachers and hosting events in the library. Our vision was that we would be able to check out boxes to teachers for use in their classrooms or partner with them in the library. So far, every teacher we have collaborated with has chosen to use our library for Breakouts, so we have been there to witness the learning firsthand.
Last week our school piloted an intervention week where we used a block schedule that included real class time plus time for extension or remediation. This is a new concept for our teachers, so there was much discussion on how to use the extra time in a way that would serve students best.
Teachers from all ranges of subject areas brought students to the library to experience a Breakout EDU game. The students ranged from psychology students to special education classes and high-risk students. We selected and prepped four different games, choosing them based on the subjects or topics the teachers requested, then we adapted and customized the puzzles based on suggestions from the teacher and our own insights. Our goal was to provide games that would allow students to experience success, but games that were also challenging enough for high school seniors to need to see and look at things differently.
When the first class came in, we divided them into six groups of four. At the start of the game, every single group said, “We don’t know what to do; this is really hard!” Especially frustrated were seniors in a psychology class who have been conditioned to be told the “right” answer... so, when they embarked upon the games, they wanted someone to tell them what to do. We had coached the teachers not to provide them with answers or “clues,” but rather to say, “look around you and see what you have to work with.” Once students began to figure out that the elements were puzzles, it all started to fall into place, and their initial triumphs started a domino effect once the small box was open.
It was fascinating to watch. The senior psychology students were actually a perfect audience; being somewhat used to being spoon-fed, they really struggled with the “not knowing what to do.” They definitely thought the activity was hard, however, they were willing to struggle without the fear of being “judged” by their peers. The activity was barely over when they were already asking when they could do another!
If anyone ever says, “Oh, my kids can’t do this, “ I would say NOT TRUE! One of the special education students, when watching the group struggle, said, “Oh, it’s so obvious - don’t you see it?! The colors are right here at the bottom!” He spotted a pattern before his classmates, but also before any of the teachers did. Not only did those students who typically struggle in school have a chance to shine, but the teachers also learned that they didn’t need to “feed” kids information as much as they thought they would or even should. The amount that students worked together was amazing; many of them are in the classes they are because they tend to struggle socially. Given this opportunity, students communicated, they worked together, and they experienced success. The teachers even said how impressed they were with their students’ ability to use soft skills they aren’t necessarily able to use in a traditional classroom setting.
In Shaundel’s words (which can truly only be said whilst singing along), “You’ve got to find a way, say what you want to say… mmmmmm Breakout!”