How to ‘escape’ from educational management: integrating online escape rooms into higher education for creative learning

    Rasa Nedzinskaitė-Mačiūnienė Info
    Eglė Stasiūnaitienė Info
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3846/cs.2026.22980

Abstract

The aim of this article is to explore the integration of an online escape room (OER) into a postgraduate course as a gamified tool for creative learning and student self-assessment. A deductive thematic analysis of anonymous written student feedback revealed that: 1) gamification increased motivation and engagement; 2) the alignment of tasks with learning objectives supported meaningful learning; and 3) the structured and interactive format enhanced study skills and encouraged creative problem-solving. This innovative approach not only redefines traditional learning strategies but also demonstrates the potential of gamified self-assessment tools to foster creativity, critical thinking, and the practical application of knowledge, particularly within online and hybrid learning environments.

Keywords:

escape room, educational management, higher education, creative learning
Published in Issue
October 8, 2026
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Nedzinskaitė-Mačiūnienė, R., & Stasiūnaitienė, E. (2026). How to ‘escape’ from educational management: integrating online escape rooms into higher education for creative learning. Creativity Studies, 19(2), 526–535. https://doi.org/10.3846/cs.2026.22980

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2026-10-08

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How to Cite

Nedzinskaitė-Mačiūnienė, R., & Stasiūnaitienė, E. (2026). How to ‘escape’ from educational management: integrating online escape rooms into higher education for creative learning. Creativity Studies, 19(2), 526–535. https://doi.org/10.3846/cs.2026.22980

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