Designing Digital Escape Rooms with Generative AI in University Contexts: A Qualitative Study

The rapid evolution of technology in education highlights the need for methodologies that enhance student engagement and skill development. This study examines students’ perceptions of designing educational escape rooms using ICT tools and generative AI (GenAI) as a learning methodology. A total of...

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Main Authors: Paula Rodríguez-Rivera, José M. Rodríguez-Ferrer, Ana Manzano-León
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-02-01
Series:Multimodal Technologies and Interaction
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2414-4088/9/3/20
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author Paula Rodríguez-Rivera
José M. Rodríguez-Ferrer
Ana Manzano-León
author_facet Paula Rodríguez-Rivera
José M. Rodríguez-Ferrer
Ana Manzano-León
author_sort Paula Rodríguez-Rivera
collection DOAJ
description The rapid evolution of technology in education highlights the need for methodologies that enhance student engagement and skill development. This study examines students’ perceptions of designing educational escape rooms using ICT tools and generative AI (GenAI) as a learning methodology. A total of 47 students participated in creating digital escape rooms with GenAI, Genially, and HeroForge in the course “Mediation in Conflicts and Situations of Violence” within a Social Education degree. A qualitative approach was used, analyzing focus group discussions conducted after the activity. Results indicate that students valued the experience, emphasizing its impact on digital competence, creativity, and problem-solving skills. Collaborative learning helped overcome initial technical challenges, and students recognized the practical applicability of escape room design in mediation contexts. However, they identified areas for improvement, such as the need for more initial training, extended development time, and better access to digital tools. This study contributes to game-based learning and AI-enhanced education research, positioning students as active designers rather than passive users. Future research should explore the long-term impact on knowledge retention and transferable skills in professional settings.
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issn 2414-4088
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spelling doaj-art-355595af0ee246d398c1f27131bb54eb2025-08-20T01:49:01ZengMDPI AGMultimodal Technologies and Interaction2414-40882025-02-01932010.3390/mti9030020Designing Digital Escape Rooms with Generative AI in University Contexts: A Qualitative StudyPaula Rodríguez-Rivera0José M. Rodríguez-Ferrer1Ana Manzano-León2Faculty of Education and Social Work, Department of Psychosocioeducational Analysis and Intervention, University of Vigo, 32004 Ourense, SpainFaculty of Health Sciences, Department of Health Sciences, University of Burgos, 09001 Burgos, SpainDepartment of Psychology, Health Research Centre, University of Almería, 04120 Almería, SpainThe rapid evolution of technology in education highlights the need for methodologies that enhance student engagement and skill development. This study examines students’ perceptions of designing educational escape rooms using ICT tools and generative AI (GenAI) as a learning methodology. A total of 47 students participated in creating digital escape rooms with GenAI, Genially, and HeroForge in the course “Mediation in Conflicts and Situations of Violence” within a Social Education degree. A qualitative approach was used, analyzing focus group discussions conducted after the activity. Results indicate that students valued the experience, emphasizing its impact on digital competence, creativity, and problem-solving skills. Collaborative learning helped overcome initial technical challenges, and students recognized the practical applicability of escape room design in mediation contexts. However, they identified areas for improvement, such as the need for more initial training, extended development time, and better access to digital tools. This study contributes to game-based learning and AI-enhanced education research, positioning students as active designers rather than passive users. Future research should explore the long-term impact on knowledge retention and transferable skills in professional settings.https://www.mdpi.com/2414-4088/9/3/20escape roomsartificial intelligence in educationtransversal competenciesdigital tools in teaching
spellingShingle Paula Rodríguez-Rivera
José M. Rodríguez-Ferrer
Ana Manzano-León
Designing Digital Escape Rooms with Generative AI in University Contexts: A Qualitative Study
Multimodal Technologies and Interaction
escape rooms
artificial intelligence in education
transversal competencies
digital tools in teaching
title Designing Digital Escape Rooms with Generative AI in University Contexts: A Qualitative Study
title_full Designing Digital Escape Rooms with Generative AI in University Contexts: A Qualitative Study
title_fullStr Designing Digital Escape Rooms with Generative AI in University Contexts: A Qualitative Study
title_full_unstemmed Designing Digital Escape Rooms with Generative AI in University Contexts: A Qualitative Study
title_short Designing Digital Escape Rooms with Generative AI in University Contexts: A Qualitative Study
title_sort designing digital escape rooms with generative ai in university contexts a qualitative study
topic escape rooms
artificial intelligence in education
transversal competencies
digital tools in teaching
url https://www.mdpi.com/2414-4088/9/3/20
work_keys_str_mv AT paularodriguezrivera designingdigitalescaperoomswithgenerativeaiinuniversitycontextsaqualitativestudy
AT josemrodriguezferrer designingdigitalescaperoomswithgenerativeaiinuniversitycontextsaqualitativestudy
AT anamanzanoleon designingdigitalescaperoomswithgenerativeaiinuniversitycontextsaqualitativestudy