"Q-ing" up for QR Codes

Catherine explores a new app for mobile devices...

With mobile devices becoming more ubiquitous in contemporary life, different interfaces are changing the way we access information in both the physical and virtual worlds. Indeed, these new technologies are seen by some educators as ones that can be harnessed to engage learners in schools. One such interface, Augmented Reality, is becoming a “thing of the present” and one way that teacher librarians can integrate the virtual and the physical worlds is to use QR Codes. While Augmented Reality applications overlay digital information on top of the physical world seen through a camera, QR Codes simply link to that information. Educational Consultant, Jeff Utrecht, has named 2011: the Year of the QR Codes. He states: “Now that Smartphones are becoming more and more the norm and will continue to gain in popularity in 2011, we have a reason to use these perfect little squares of information.”

So, what are QR Codes?

QR Codes are two-dimensional matrix barcodes which can be interpreted by any mobile device that has camera capabilities. (Think IPhone, IPod Touch, IPad, Smart Phone, Nintendo DS.) After installing a free app or simple piece of software to your smartphone, you scan the code by photographing it. Anyone can access the information behind the QR Code which might contain images, easily launched website links, and text. Even stores like Bunnings have QR Codes on their catalogues and our very own QUT uses them as well.

Connecting the physical world and the virtual world with QR Codes

View more presentations from Stan Skrabut

How do I create and read QR Codes?

First, you have to download a creator application on your Smart Phone or computer. There are several online programmes to create codes;

Even Google will make QR Codes for you.All you have to do is visit http://goo.gl - their URL shortener.

Next, look for free QR Code readers which could be quickly downloaded. Most readers scan the barcode as soon as you line up the square on the screen around the barcode.i-nigma and BeeTagg can be downloaded free and are easy to use. 

http://www.dontwasteyourtime.co.uk/qr-codes/qr-codes-the-nuts-and-bolts/

How can QR Codes be used in libraries and in the classroom?

While they may appear gimmicky and even “cool”, QR Codes can be used in a range of ways for educational purposes. Researchers at Educause suggest that “QR Codes support experiential learning, bringing scholarship out of the classroom and into physical experience. They offer expanded pedagogical value in exercises that draw students into creating and contributing content.” 


There is a vast array of examples of how educators worldwide are using QR Codes from library scavenger hunts to accessing data in science workshops. I have provided some links in the QR Code that I created above but I want to highlight a few:

This QR Comic infographic summarises QR Codes used by the Daring Librarian, Gwyneth Jones.

This video showcases what one school is doing with QR Codes.

I think QR Codes are a fun way to use mobile technology to spread information or increase interactivity in my library. While they are not the full experience of augmented reality, QR Codes integrate the virtual with the physical and that’s a start! Library Orientation for Year Seven, links to Book Trailers and information for parents, quick web links for research, the list is only limited by my imagination (and time!).

QR Codes... 

• Gimmicks or legitimate ways to use mobile technology in the classroom? 
• Will you be "q-ing" up to use them? 
• Can you see your library QR-encoded? 
• How would you use them in your classroom?

Please leave your comments below and/or add links to more sites on QR Codes.

Why not experiment with the QR Code I created above to access more websites on QR Codes?

References

http://daringlibrary.edublogs.org/2011/04/02/qr-code-quest-in-the-library/comment-page-1/#comment-3

http://net.educause.edu/ir/library/pdf/ELI7046.pdf 


http://wp.nmc.org/horizon2011/sections/augmented-reality/

http://www.libraryjournal.com/slj/articlesatechnology/886846464/qr_codes_in_the_library.html.cp

http://www.scoop.it/t/qr-codes-in-k-12-education

http://www.thedaringlibrarian.com/2010/12/qr-code-at-glance-comic-tutorial.html

http://www.thethinkingstick.com/11-the-year-of-the-qr-code

Mobile phones in the classroom?

The reading for week 10 "Futurelab Mobile Review" written in 2004, discusses various strategies for implementing the use of mobile phones in the classroom. There are some great ideas in this article.
At the moment I am working with a wide variety of students from many different high schools, both state and private, on the Gold Coast in Queensland. I have been asking my students if they have ever used mobile phones for a teacher directed task in the subjects they study and about their blogging experiences. The only reported legitimate use of the mobile phone has been as a calculator and not one of these students has ever written a blog!
The reason for this situation maybe that, as yet there is a lack of training for classroom teachers in this area. One of the roles of the teacher librarian could be to help rectify this situation. It could also be that the technology available to students is not uniformly capable of the types of tasks suggested by the article.
I asked a group of year 9 girls from a lower socioeconomic high school how many of the students in the all girl class had an iPhone. The reply "everyone has one" surprised me. No doubt as more students aquire mobile phones with iPhone capabilities there will be a greater uptake of the opportunities that the use of this ubiquitous device provides.

Karen

Taking the plunge into Particpatory Culture

There is so much going on in the news about the power of mobile media. This morning there were reports on ABC breakfast television and in various newspapers of the influnce of Miley Silas's opposition to a Phillip Island development via Twitter. I have also heard ABC radio national stories relating to collection of data about the species of animals in Australian backyards for an international data base and the targeting of teenagers by advertisers using text messaging. Another news report in Reuters Life relates to the possibility of utilizing mobile phones and GPS technology to make young girls more aware of the dangers of making unhealthy choices such as drinking or smoking when they are in certain locations by the sending of timely messages reminding them of the consequences of their behavior. Yet another report in the Wall Street Journal addresses the threat by the District Attorney in Tunkhannock to charge children as young as 11 with pornography violations over "sexting" incidents if they did not take a class which addressed the implications of their behavior. The DA who instigated this move is now in the process of being sued by a number of the parents involved. So many different issues involving the use of mobile phones!
Bye for now
Karen

SCHOOL

Hi Everyone,
I'm doing a 6 week contract at a high school next term in the ESL unit.  Met with them this morning and discussed an ICT class of language poor students and we're going to create a blog which is fantastic because it aligns with what I'm learning in this assignment.  Will start the blog entries in earnest during the Uni break.
Regards,
Janye

Eureka ???????

Hello Team,

This is an attempt to say a blogging hello to my team mates. I have found the way to correct my name and felt immensely satisified at my achievement. If this post appears in the right place, I will be inspired to get on with the assignment.

Karen