The present research analyzes the influence of active didactic methodologies, specifically gamification through an escape room, on the development of pedagogical competencies in the students of the Master's Degree in Teaching. This project, carried out during 3 years, tries to develop pedagogical skills such as creativity, problem solving and teamwork, and to evaluate the development of these skills through gamification. The learning environment has been the Doña Pakyta Art Museum in Almeria, which aims to show trainee teachers new ways to explore and value the local artistic heritage to their future students while they acquire dynamic and active knowledge to apply in the classroom in the future.

The methodology of this research was based on surveys and interviews both before and after the gamified experience. The data has been analyzed using the Wilcoxon test to identify significant differences between different periods, as well as a cluster analysis in order to locate patterns that support the premises set out in the objectives. The results suggest that there is a significant improvement in the ability to design educational activities as well as to manage group dynamics, applying creative strategies, which indicates that key pedagogical competencies are developed that enhance student motivation and improve the learning experience. Likewise, the results show an increase in confidence for the development and implementation of gamified escape rooms in future teaching practices.

The application of gamification in higher education and in the Master's Degree in Teaching brings new educational perspectives, expanding the range of traditional didactic methodologies in teacher training. In addition, the enhancement of local heritage as a way to implement active methodologies increases the connection with local culture and history, enriching and strengthening pedagogical competences at a cultural level and giving greater relevance to local artistic heritage in teacher training.

As a main conclusion, it is highlighted that gamification, as an active methodology, and specifically the escape rooms, improve the understanding of artistic heritage, in addition to developing key pedagogical skills, preparing future teachers with innovative strategies.

Keywords: Gamification, escape room, artistic heritage, higher education, pedagogical skills, creativity, problem solving, teamwork, active methodology, teacher training, Master's Degree in Teaching, educational innovation.