-
How To Create an Escape Room Lesson Part 2: Learning Content in an Educational Escape Room
-
How To Create an Escape Room Lesson Part 1: The Components of an Educational Escape Room
-
Educational Escape Rooms: Using Play To Boost Learning
Fun to be Smart
Learning should be fun. Learning should make you smart.
It’s fun to be smart.
WHO
Learning should be fun.
Hi, my name is Marcus. I’ve been an educator since 2005.
Curriculum Development
I’m primarily a learning designer. I’ve developed learning materials for diverse fields, from language learning to Pilates to GenAI.
My philosophy is to make the curriculum fun, so the learning will stick. My speciality is in educational escape rooms – any topic can be converted to that!
Facilitation & Training
To design curriculum, you must know how to teach with the learning materials. I’ve facilitated for ages 7 to 81, from Primary 1 students to senior executives, from physical studios to online learning platforms.
As with curriculum – my philosophy is that fun lessons means greater retention of the material.
Consultancy
Tap into my experience working with learning centres large and small, from young students to adult learners, from teacher training to centre strategy.
More importantly – learn from my mistakes so you don’t have to make them!
I’ve worked WITH
EDUCATIONAL ESCAPE ROOMS
Battle for the Constellation: Adult Educators’ Day 2025 (Institute for Adult Learning)
For Adult Educators’ Day 2025, we developed an educational escape room to prompt adult educators (AE) to revisit their hows and whys – the values and skills of being an AE.
We also presented the Training and Adult Educator Professional Pathway (TAEPP) through alternative perspectives, to create a more holistic understanding of this new initiative.
This project was developed for the Institute for Adult Learning.
It was executed with RE Training & Consultancy (RETC).
The Dream House Trust (Singapore Realtors Inc)
We created a bespoke educational escape room for a corporate retreat. Learners developed communication skills, solved tricky puzzles, and went on a little scavenger hunt – all within the confines of a ballroom at a country club.
This project was developed for Singapore Realtors Inc.
It was executed with, and under the mentoring of, RE Training & Consultancy (RETC).
Educational Escape Room Design (SMU & NLB)
As part of my AE Mentorship Programme, I co-facilitated sessions on designing and developing educational escape rooms. It was fun to be able to apply my prior escape room lesson experiences in a corporate training context – and I’m glad to have imparted my years of gaming knowledge in the process!
These sessions were for Singapore Management University (SMU) and the National Library Board (NLB).
It was facilitated under the mentorship of RE Training & Consultancy (RETC).
WHat
Educational Services
Fun to be Smart is a learning design company..
Escape Room Lessons
The best type of corporate training is an adventure – with a time limit. I’ve crafted escape room lessons that help learners learn important concepts without ever realising they were in a lesson (because they’re having too much fun playing a game). Best of all – they remember the content long after the escape room session.
Positive Psychology
Positive psychology is the science of optimal human flourishing, and the focus of my other company, Happiness for Busy People.
I infuse positive psychology principles into curriculum, finding ways to elevate the wellbeing of learners so that they can learn better and with greater ease.
Training & Facilitation
Having taught in a variety of settings since 2005, I’m a seasoned trainer in multiple areas, for different age groups, and for different class sizes.
I’m more conversant with writing-related lessons – which means training sessions that involve turning in written assingments.
GenAI Workshops
Everyone says AI literacy is important – which is true. It’s about taking this huge scary thing, embracing it, and realising that we still have autonomy, we still have the control, and that the future of this planet is in our hands. My GenAI experience is with marketing, sports, education, narratives, financial consulting, and writing.
Copywriting Masterclasses
Want to start your own business? You’ll need to write blogs, social media posts, articles, create content – basically, copywriting. Copywriting is not just invaluable, it’s also fun. And once you can hack it through my classes, you’ll find lots of applications for personal life too.
Learning Design
With a DDDLP, I know what are the onerous requirements to create WSQ courses that qualifies for SkillsFuture funding. I’ve also developed curriculum for a wide variety of subject matters, ranging from information technology to health and fitness.
Fun
to be
Smart
Testimonials
Here’s what clients have said.
No cap.
Deep Understanding & Creativity
Marcus is a dependable and insightful team member with an exceptional gift for storytelling. His writing and explanations consistently reflect deep understanding, creativity, and an infectious enthusiasm that energizes those around him.
Thanks to Marcus, we were able to bring our Escape Room concept to life — turning abstract ideas into a well-crafted script that engaged, educated, and inspired adult educators during the event.
I would recommend Marcus if you are looking for a reliable, articulate, and imaginative professional who can turn ideas into meaningful experiences through the power of storytelling and collaboration.
Dr Mak Wai Keong
Founder, Generative AI Consultant
Edtrix Solutions
Blends Expertise & Dependability
Marcus is one of those rare collaborators who seamlessly blends expertise, creativity, and dependability. From the very beginning, he has been an anchor of reliability – consistently delivering thoughtful, high-quality work with both depth and clarity. His ability to take complex concepts in positive psychology and counselling and translate them into accessible, engaging learning materials has had a lasting impact on our curriculum.
Thanks to Marcus, we were able to develop and refine our WSQ programmes with greater precision, alignment, and purpose. His insights have helped shape our approach to curriculum design, ensuring that every element is not only academically sound but also meaningful and relevant to learners.
Beyond his professional excellence, Marcus brings warmth and creativity to every project. He’s fun to work with, open to new ideas, and has an exceptional knack for spotting opportunities to make learning both rigorous and inspiring.
I would wholeheartedly recommend Marcus to anyone looking for a collaborator who is deeply knowledgeable, exceptionally reliable, and capable of bringing ideas to life with insight, structure, and creativity.
Nicole Glisson
Head of Positive Psychology
Director of Academic Affairs
The School of Positive Psychology
Imaginative, Disciplined, Thoughtful
One of things that stand out about Marcus is his ability to combine imagination with discipline. He was the brains behind our Escape Room Lessons, a bold idea that turned English and Math lessons into immersive problem-solving experiences that was a favourite amongst students. It was something completely new for us, and Marcus made it work not through gimmicks, but through solid educational thinking. He understood that when students are emotionally engaged, real learning happens.
Marcus also led much of our curriculum development for Secondary English and GEP programmes. He has a strong grasp of both the syllabus and how young people actually think and learn. His lessons and materials were always well structured, and never dry — they pushed students to think critically, connect ideas, and see relevance in what they were studying. When it came to high-ability students, he knew how to challenge them intellectually while keeping the content relatable — something very few educators can do well.
Adrian Kuek
Dean
Joyous Learning
Private Consultation
Private Consultation Rates
Need help?
Learning Consultant (incl. WSQ)
Having developed curriculum for all age groups (Primary to adults), across a wide variety of fields (media to AI), I’ve learn that bespoke and customised learning materials work best for your learners.
As a DDDLP holder, I also help do WSQ course accreditation (CA) and non-WSQ course approval/funding (CF).
$300
per hour
+
Packages are available. With a package, you also get on-demand access to me for any concerns that might pop up.
+
20 hours: $5,000
+
10 hours: $2,700
+
5 hours: $1,400
Motivational Consultant
“He who has a strong why can bear any how.”
Having been trained in motivating learners for success, I’ve helped clients gain intrinsic motivation to study – because they want to, not because they have to. Better motivation leads to better producitivty.
It’s a skill that’s applicable to all ages.
$300
per hour
+
Packages are available. With a package, you also get on-demand access to me for any concerns that might pop up.
+
20 hours: $5,000
+
10 hours: $2,700
+
5 hours: $1,400
Writing Consultant
Have a writing competition that you want to enter? Need a piece of writing to be polished to persuasive perfection? I’ve coached both adults and students in their writing, to help them realise their dreams – get awards for their writing, have their work be featured, craft a stellar screenplay, or to simply complete a novel.
Everyone can write well – you just need to know how.
$300
per hour
+
Packages are available. With a package, you also get on-demand access to me for any concerns that might pop up.
+
20 hours: $5,000
+
10 hours: $2,7000
+
5 hours: $1,400
All services are non-refundable.
Resources and Articles
Fun resources to peruse while commuting to your next lesson.
Fun to be Smart 