The potential of QR Codes in Education JISC Emerge Users & Innovation Programme Meeting 29th January 2009 Andy Ramsden Head of e-Learning University of Bath http://go.bath.ac.uk/andyramsden andyramsden http://www.bath.ac.uk/lmf/download/27352 eatbath-present

aims & your role Highlight some of the findings Outline the project Highlight some of the findings Direct you to the deliverables Gather your thoughts on, “the potential of QR codes as a learning technology?” http://www.flickr.com/photos/pigpogm/13839044/

aims of the project Answer some of the following questions; What are QR codes? How do they work? What proportion of people can access QR codes now, and in the near future? What are the alternatives? Is there a trend towards technical convergence? Are standards emerging? If yes, at what speed? If not, then why not? What factors need to be considered for an institutional implementation? What factors should I consider before using them? How are QR codes being used in Education? (UK and other Countries) How are QR codes being used in other sectors? (Media, Marketing etc.,) How have QR codes been perceived by users? How might they be used in Education?

so, who has accessed a QR code? Why did you do it? How did you do it? What happened?

what is a QR code? A QR Code is a matrix code (or two-dimensional bar code) created by Japanese corporation Denso-Wave in 1994. The "QR" is derived from "Quick Response", as the creator intended the code to allow its contents to be decoded at high speed. QR Codes are common in Japan where they are currently the most popular type of two dimensional codes. An ever increasing number of tasks can be achieved using a QR code. The core ones are, Link to web site Send an sms to a phone Transfer a phone number Provide more text www.mobile-learning.blog-city.com/read/qr_codes.htm a QR Code effectively and efficiently connects the physical world to the electronic

what is involved? QR Code Generator Camera phone A task / activity which is appropriate for a small screen device Camera phone Good connectivity QR Code Reader Money On your phone http://www.i-nigma.mobi 07781 489340 http://qrcode.kaywa.com

why QR codes and why now? flikr.com: group: QR codes in the wild Selected a number of images from flickr Group … QR codes in the wild What does this show? I’d argue a number of things; These have appeared at during 2008 / 09. These are the vanguard, the early adopters. However, appearing to appear more frequently, i.e, Starting to work into mainstream product marketing and promotion (Pepsi, muji fruits) – formal spaces Appearing as gimmicks / one offs, such as on the side of a building Appearing on the streets !! Guerilla stickers – side of trash can (New York based newspaper), stuck to post (individually tagging site) – support time specific, location specific events, i.e., the US Elections. Should follow “orthodox” product diffusion curve, so expect much, much more in the near future. flikr.com: group: QR codes in the wild

how might they be used in T&L? QR Codes only QR Codes with other tools Subscription to a rss news feed Inclusion within web pages (bookmarking) e-Admin Sign up for SMS news alerts using QR codes vCard / Office Hours Within library catalogue Handbooks linking to online resources Classroom formative feedback e-Learning Video (youtune) user guides JIT content in lectures (links, slides etc.,) Campus / Library Inductions Appended to Moodle print outs

Scenario 1: rss subscription (scan & go) http://www.mobile-learning.blog-city.com/ Assume you’d like to subscribe to rss updates – the original hock was a poster / leaflet. 1. Traditional Model … write web site down, get onto your PC, visit web site (appropriate RSS feed), and use rss aggregator software to subscribe 2. QR Code / Mobile Model … scan QR Code of RSS address … cut & paste into rss aggregator software on phone Mobile dimension adds value as it allows the person to quickly subscribe and receive the updates direct to their mobile device. The QR code dimension allows this to be undertaken in a very efficient way compared to using thick thumbs and a keyboard. http://www.mobile-learning.blog-city.com/read/qr_codes.rss

Scenario 2: facilitating dialogue Personal insight from the artist, a lesson learnt, what feeling … To personal / social space Final year exhibition Student has set of QR Codes next to their exhibit. This offers various opportunities for the person viewing the work. Mobile dimension adds value as it allows the person viewing the work to gather more information, access and comment on the other peoples interpretations and comments, as well as create a feedback loop for the artist. This degree of interaction, and immediacy would not be easily available through leaflets and signs. The QR code dimension allows this to be undertaken in a very efficient way compared to using thick thumbs and a keyboard. To exhibition blog, audience leave comments for artist and others http://www.flickr.com/photos/21835607@N04/2624021406/

are students aware of QR Codes? Do you know what a QR Code is? Yes: 13.8% with 95% confidence interval, then 12.34% - 15.26% of total student population are aware of QR codes. N = 1800 17% of our FTE

have they accessed a QR Code? Have you accessed a QR Code? Yes: 2.2% with 95% confidence interval, then 1.58% - 2.82% of total student population have accessed a QR code. The most common action was Web site – 33 responses Read more text – 28 responses Phone a number – 19 responses Send a pre-written SMS – 12 responses?

can they access them? 92% of respondents have camera phones … QR Code Readers: Kaywa, Quickmark, i-Nigma & SnapMaze

how might you use QR Codes? What is the activity? What is the rationale behind the activity? What are you trying to achieve? Why include QR Codes? What will they add to the activity? How will students be motivated to complete the activity? How will students be supported through the activity? How will you measure if the activity has been successful?

share, share and share some more …

barriers and constraints Mind genius ….

questions & bye bye Andy Ramsden a.ramsden@bath.ac.uk andyramsden http://blogs.bath.ac.uk/qrcode/projects/scoping-study/ http://opus.bath.ac.uk/view/divisions/elearning.html Andy Ramsden a.ramsden@bath.ac.uk andyramsden eatbath-present