Exploring a Digital Educational Escape Room Game to Support Artificial Intelligence Literacy and Team Building in an Online Environment

This study examines the design, implementation, and evaluation of a Digital Educational Escape Room (DEER) titled “Escape from the Doctor’s Office,” developed to enhance artificial intelligence/machine learning (AI/ML) literacy. Grounded in constructivist pedagogy and behaviorist principles, the DEER was designed using the ADDIE framework (Analyze, Design, Develop, Implement, Evaluate) and guided by Fu and Yu’s Three-Layered Thinking Model of Game Design to align educational content with engaging gameplay. The game incorporated AI/ML concepts such as data science, algorithms, and ethical considerations within a healthcare narrative. Piloted during the first two weeks of a summer research program for six U.S.-based computer science undergraduate and graduate students, the DEER engaged participants in collaborative, time-bound problem-solving through interactive puzzles and group discussion. Results from a post-questionnaire and analysis of field notes demonstrated the game's effectiveness in promoting teamwork, generating interest in AI/ML concepts, and engaging participants actively in the learning process.