Critical Thinking Strategies
Executive Function Skills and Critical Thinking Strategies aren’t just used for academic purposes. They can be used for many other activities, like football, board games, cleaning your room, and escaping a serial killer’s apartment at Escape Game SD.
Last week, we had the opportunity to test our skills and team work in the Japanese Thriller Escape Game. Three rooms, plenty of puzzles, an eerie setting, and only one hour to get out. So, how did we do it? We can’t reveal the specifics (we’d get in trouble), but we can give you some tips based on our experience and successful escape. We channeled Sherlock Holmes , Inspector Clouseau, and Batman, using our—wait for it—critical thinking strategies!
Paraphrase Directions
If this is your first time playing, then the directions/rules need to be paraphrased for understanding. Paraphrasing the directions/rules will also help to keep them in mind because there are plenty to remember. This will allow you to rack up as many points as possible, and not get penalized for breaking any rules. In addition, it could save you time.
Attention to Detail
You may be shown a video that will set up the backstory of the escape room scenario, and that video may or may not contain vital details that will help you in your escape (*wink*). Each room contains a variety of props, but only some of them are significant to solving the puzzle. Make sure to set aside pieces in the room that stand out, and take note of how the room is set up as well. Be sure to look everywhere very carefully.
Making Connections
This is vital to solving the puzzles, as there are connections you need to make between clues and items in the room. What does it mean? How do they fit together? Keep the dialogue running so that you’re actively making connections.
Cognitive Flexibility
Be flexible in how you make connections. To get to the next room, you need to make connections between the items in the current room you’re in. Brainstorm different ways the important items can fit together, in order to find the connection that makes the most sense. Additionally, be flexible in how you interpret the clues.