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University of the Arts London

Vol. 4 No. 1 (2019)
'Libraries, Archives and Special Collections' special issue

Case Studies

Escaping the archive: utilising escape room games in a constructivist approach to showcasing archives and special collections

Published 2019-06-21

  • Robin Sampson

Robin Sampson
University of the Arts London

Abstract

For students a tour of the University of the Arts London Archives and Special Collections Centre (ASCC) can be a passive learning experience; they receive a large amount of information with limited opportunities to engage with archive material. ‘Escape Room Games’ (ERGs) offer a more active and engaged learning experience. They suit a constructivist learning agenda and also act as an experiential, immersive way to be introduced to archival holdings. ERGs are co-operative, participatory games in an immersive fictional setting, where teams of players collaborate to solve linked puzzles and accomplish goals. These games are ideally suited to educational environments, as they co-opt key learning methodologies into a time-limited, rewards-based session. This article showcases an example of an escape room game created and utilised at the University of the Arts London’s ASCC.

Keywords

gamification, co-operative learning, participatory learning, immersive learning, constructivism

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Author Biography

Robin Sampson

Robin Sampson was formerly Assistant Archivist at University of the Arts London’s Archives and Special Collections Centre. His initial role was to establish and develop an institutional memory archive for UAL, documenting the institution’s formation and development. Whilst at UAL, his primary focus is to manage and preserve the ASCC’s archives and special collections for research, teaching and outreach. Robin has an interest in how archive collections can be gamified to create constructive and interactive approaches to learning.

References

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  2. Monaghan, S. and Nicholson, S. (2017) ‘Bringing escape room concepts to pathophysiology case studies’, HAPS Educator, 21(2), pp.49–65. http://dx.doi.org/10.21692/haps.2017.015.
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  4. Nicholson, S. (2016) ‘Ask why: creating a better player experience through environmental storytelling and consistency in escape room design’, Meaningful Play Conference 2016, Lansing, Michigan, 20–22 October. Available at: http://scottnicholson.com/pubs/askwhy.pdf (Accessed: 21 February 2019).
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  6. US National Archives (author on website) (2018) ‘Workshop participants enjoy national archives “escape room” experience’, National Archives News, 15 June. Available at: https://www.archives.gov/news/articles/workshop-participants-enjoy-escape-room-experience (Accessed: 21 February 2019).