Instructors can create interactive escape rooms through Canvas New Quizzes branching, where students must answer correctly to proceed to subsequent quiz questions. This can be executed and made fun by embedding images, GIFs, riddles, and hidden clues in each question prompt. Set time limits for each question to add a challenge and engagement element. This boosts motivation and focus while creating a game-like experience. If students work in teams, time limits can encourage collaboration, as members must work efficiently and strategically.

How can I do this in my course? Glad you asked! 

Step One: Create the Escape Room Module

• Navigate to your Canvas course.
• Click on "Modules" in the Course Navigation menu.
• Click the "+ Module" button and name it "Escape Room."
• Do not publish the module yet.

Step Two: Think of Narrative Content

• Between each quiz question, add content to provide narrative elements or clues.

Step Three: Develop Questions in Item Banks 

• Click on "Quizzes" in the Course Navigation.
• Click on the vertical ellipsis (three dots) and select "Manage Item Banks."
• Create a new item bank for your escape room questions.
• Add one question for each "door" or level of your escape room.

Step Four: Set Up Individual Quizzes (Doors)

Each quiz requires a correct answer to reveal a password, which grants access to the subsequent quiz.

• Within the "Escape Room" module, click the "+" button to add content.
• Select "Quiz" from the dropdown menu and click "[Create Quiz]."
• Choose "New Quizzes" as the quiz engine.
• Name the quiz according to the corresponding to the theme of the Escape Room.
• Click "Add Item."
• Click on the newly created quiz to edit it.
• Click "Build" to enter the quiz editor.
• Click on the "Item Banks" button and select the appropriate question for this quiz.
• In the quiz settings, configure the following:
  • Instructions: Provide any necessary context or story elements.
  • Shuffle Answers: Enable to randomize answer choices.
  • One Question at a Time: Enable to present questions individually.
  • Require Student Access Code: Enable and set a unique password for this quiz.
• Click "Return" to save settings.

Step Five: Configure Module Requirements and Prerequisites

• In the "Escape Room" module, click the vertical ellipsis (three dots) and select "Edit."
• Set prerequisites if necessary (e.g., completion of a prior module).
• Under "Requirements," add each item in the module and specify:
• Pages: "View the item."
• Quizzes: "Score at least" and set the minimum score to pass.

Step Six: Finalize and Publish

• Ensure all quiz questions and instructional pages are added to the "Escape Room" module.
• Publish the entire module.

Step Seven: Implement Passwords to Unlock Subsequent Quizzes

To create a sequential unlocking mechanism:

• Embed Passwords in Feedback
  • For each quiz question, provide feedback that includes the password for the next quiz.
  • In the question settings, add feedback for correct answers, revealing the password students will need.
• Set Access Codes
  • In each quiz's settings, enable "Require a student access code" and enter the corresponding password.
  • This ensures that students must input the correct password (obtained from the previous quiz) to access the next quiz.

By following these steps, you can create an interactive and educational escape room experience in Canvas using New Quizzes, enhancing student engagement, and reinforcing learning objectives!

Image credit: Dall-E 3 via NaviGator AI

Tags: Active Learning, Assessment, Canvas, Educational Technology, Instructional Design