5 Keys to Unlocking Student Potential

Build a positive classroom culture and reduce student apathy with Breakout EDU

Imagine a typical day in your classroom. You are working hard to keep your students engaged and focused on the lesson, but you can’t help but notice their participation is lukewarm. Your teacher super senses tell you that something is not quite hitting the mark in your lesson plan. It’s time to shake things up. 

That's where Breakout EDU comes in. Within a few short moments, you locate a standards-aligned game and assign the challenge to the entire class. Students are excitedly deciphering coded messages, uncovering clues, and giving each other high-fives. You look up from viewing student progress on the teacher dashboard and notice a quiet student who typically prefers to blend into the background, has been talking animatedly and assumed a leadership role alongside a few others. Another student, the class artist, is drawing visual aids on the whiteboard to help the team remember the clues they’ve found and the codes they’ve already tried.

As teachers, sometimes we need to think outside the box to really unlock our students' potential and tap into their natural curiosities. Curiosity is the opposite of apathy - and Breakout EDU is your ticket to engaged learning experiences and student success. 

5 ways to unlock student potential

By embracing instructional techniques above and beyond traditional pedagogical strategies, teachers are able to uncover their students’ hidden talents and give them the love of learning. Here are five key ways that you can unlock your students' potential and set them up for success this school year: 

  1. Understand the unique needs of each student

    When students feel seen, heard, and valued, they are more likely to be motivated, engaged, and willing to take risks. It takes effort for teachers to make this a reality in the classroom and relies on relationships being formed with each student so that their unique needs are identified and understood. A positive classroom culture can profoundly impact student engagement, motivation, and overall well-being. Personalized assessments and student surveys can also help glean valuable insights into students' learning preferences, strengths, and weaknesses.

  2. Create a supportive environment

    When students feel safe to make mistakes, they are more likely to develop a love of learning and be comfortable taking on new challenges. A supportive environment also encourages collaboration and teamwork, helping students develop essential social and emotional skills preparing them for upper level course work, college, and/or careers.

    Differentiated instruction is a powerful way to achieve this. Differentiated instruction involves modifying instruction to meet the unique needs of all students. Differentiated classrooms feel safe because they facilitate the development of a growth mindset. Mistakes are not failures - they are learning opportunities.

  3. Encourage exploration and creativity

    With the freedom to experiment, make mistakes, and learn in the nurturing environment of school, students develop a deeper understanding of the content and a greater appreciation for the learning process. This freedom also feeds creativity, which plays a vital role in helping students become problem-solvers and 21st-century innovators. 

    Project-based learning (PBL) invites students to work on real-world projects that require them to apply their knowledge and skills to solve authentic problems. Through this instructional approach, students have the opportunity to discover their own talents, interests, and passions. 

  4. Provide effective feedback and time for reflection

    Providing students with timely and specific feedback can significantly improve their academic performance and motivation. Effective feedback focuses on specific behaviors or skills, offers suggestions for improvement, and provides positive reinforcement. 

    Reflection activities, like class discussions, personal journals, or exit tickets, help students self-assess and identify areas of personal growth. Peer feedback can also be a valuable tool because it encourages students to empathize and carefully consider different perspectives.

  5. Empower through goal-setting

    A key aspect of gaining independence is the ability to set goals and effectively manage time. The SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound) goal-setting framework is particularly valuable in breaking down large goals into smaller, more manageable steps. With goals like these, students can track their progress, communicate their needs, and celebrate their successes.

    By teaching students how to prioritize tasks and manage their time effectively teachers can help students stay organized and focused on their goals. Breaking down large assignments into smaller, more manageable steps helps students feel less overwhelmed and stay on track.

Breakout EDU is a teacher’s best friend

Breakout EDU is so much more than a game; it's a powerful learning tool that can transform your classroom, unlock student potential, and take advantage of all 5 keys for a successful year. 

Gamifying instruction with Breakout EDU can provide the following benefits:  

  • Promotes engagement: Students love game-based learning! When students are having fun and feeling challenged, they are more invested in their learning. Breakout EDU helps teachers tap into students' natural curiosity and competitive spirit. 

  • Builds confidence: As students successfully navigate Breakout EDU challenges, they develop confidence in their abilities. This confidence can motivate students to take on increasingly challenging tasks, allowing them to experience even more success as the school year progresses. 

  • Assesses student progress: The Breakout EDU teacher dashboard provides teachers with valuable insights into student progress and performance. Teachers can evaluate student data to identify areas of improvement. This valuable information helps educators modify instruction to better meet individual student needs. 

  • Supports differentiated learning: Breakout EDU offers a variety of game types and difficulty levels. Teachers can choose to assign games to the whole class, individuals, peer groups based on current levels of ability, or assign games to mixed-ability groups to facilitate differentiation. 

  • Encourages reflection: After each Breakout EDU game, students can participate in post-game reflection activities to connect their experiences to course content and personal growth. This practice helps students reinforce their understanding, identify areas for improvement, and develop metacognitive skills.

Unlock student potential with Breakout EDU!

By providing engaging, supportive, and differentiated learning experiences, teachers can create a classroom environment where all students feel valued, motivated, and empowered to succeed. With its engaging games, unique challenges, and customizable options, Breakout EDU offers a fresh approach to learning that can pique student curiosity, build critical thinking skills, and foster a love of learning. 

Ready to unlock your students' potential? Start your 14-day free trial of Breakout EDU today and experience the transformative power of game-based learning firsthand.