ESCAPE ROOMS AS EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS: PEDAGOGICAL VALUE AND EDUCATIONAL OUTCOMES

Escape rooms have emerged as innovative pedagogical tools that transform traditional learning environments into immersive, experiential spaces.This article examines the pedagogical value and educational outcomes of escape rooms as experiential learning environments in higher education.Through a comprehensive analysis of recent research and meta-analytical findings, this study explores how escape rooms facilitate knowledge acquisition, skill development, and attitudinal changes among learners.The research reveals that educational escape rooms demonstrate substantial effectiveness in promoting collaborative learning, critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and engagement across various academic disciplines.Meta-analytical evidence indicates high effect sizes in knowledge gains and moderate effect sizes in attitude change [5], confirming their pedagogical efficacy.This article presents a systematic examination of the theoretical frameworks underpinning escape room pedagogy, including experiential learning theory, gamebased learning principles, and social constructivism.Furthermore, it discusses the design considerations, implementation challenges, and best practices for integrating escape rooms into educational contexts.The findings suggest that escape rooms represent a valuable addition to the pedagogical toolkit, offering immersive learning experiences that bridge theory and practice while fostering essential 21st-century competencies.