Abstract
This action research documents how a teacher education program incorporates game-based learning to engage pre-service teachers (PSTs) in developing their instructional creativity. In this project, game-based learning goes beyond playing games; Instead, it allows PSTs to design their own game-a digital escape room created using a website with embedded clues, digital locks, and online challenges. This paper showcases an impressive level of creativity through the variety and complexity of PSTs’ clues, the creative graphics and layout of their websites, and their cleverly written scenarios and context for the game. Moreover, PSTs reflect on their design processes, considering the affordances and challenges of digital escape game design. This action research suggests that game design promotes creativity and motivates PSTs to create learning experiences for their future students that enhance engagement and develop 21st-century skills. Through collaboration, PSTs work together to solve puzzles, find clues, and answer questions-all related to developing their creativity in instructional design. In the end, pedagogical recommendations are provided to better inform teacher education programs on incorporating digital escape rooms to equip PSTs with creativity and other essential skills.
Recommended Citation
Solano, G. L., & Wen, W. (2025). Integrating Digital Escape Room Design into Teacher Education: Cultivating Instructional Creativity in Preservice Teachers. Excelsior: Leadership in Teaching and Learning, 17(2). CCBY.
Included in
Curriculum and Instruction Commons, Scholarship of Teaching and Learning Commons, Teacher Education and Professional Development Commons
