Elearning with 3D virtual escape rooms

Elearning is nowadays often used to open further possibilities to learn and memorize theoretical inputs apart from the classical scripts and books used in lectures. With elearning, additional learning material (like quizzes, tests, more detailed theoretical input, ..) can be provided for the course participants. This can on the one hand be useful during the lecture to diversify the presentation. On the other hand, it can also be used by the lecturer to give participants additional informations outside the lecture (e.g. recommendations to understand the topic better, useful links, …) or also homework. A more attractive (and interactive) form of elearning can even be realized by developing a game for students. In this work a 3D virtual chemistry escape room called “ChemScape” will be described which has been programmed in the last year and around 10 tasks have already been implemented. In escape games one task after the other have to be solved in order to be able to leave the playing scene (the room, the house, ..) or in a modified way to find a treasure. The “ChemScape” is intended to be used by students to apply theoretical knowledge in a game based elearning environment and to solidify theory. In this way, it shall also be useful for exam preparations. The special feature of the described escape room is that the escape game plays in a 3D programmed realistic looking laboratory (with laboratory desks, glass ware, instruments, cupboards, …) where analytical instruments can be used in a realistic way (weighing with a spoon, using a pipette, sorting test tubes, …). First tests with students have already taken place and improvements have been made. At the moment, only a certain set of tasks is available, but currently a database is being programmed in order to have the possibility to insert different questions at the same task stations. The “ChemScape” should be implemented in chemistry lectures in future – as one method to make chemistry more tangible – not only in laboratory courses, but also in chemistry lectures. Furthermore, the game gives the possibility as an exam preparation.