Research Question/What I Knew Before the I-Search

Driving Question: How do you create a qr code and incorporate it into student projects/assignments?

 

What I Knew about QR Codes
Before starting the process of the I-Search, I was curious about qr codes in general. I have seen them being used on Snapchat and I have heard of teachers using them in their classroom, but I was not sure how an individual created one. I was also wondering about the evolution of qr codes with social media and in the classroom.

        Even though I was curious about QR codes, I struggled at first with finding an individual that uses them. I thought that maybe some members of the administration might know how to use them or might have used them in staff development. Can anyone make a qr code? Or do you have to have specific software or money to purchase the rights? What does qr even stand for? Is code referencing  coding? All of these questions ran through my mind, but the only thing I knew for sure was that it was some kind of technology based holder of information in one location.

Reading and Learning

1. Internet Resources

      Looking around my classroom, I am always astounded by the level of multi tasking that occurs with each new group of students. I've noticed that even though they think they are the masters of multitasking their productivity is often splintered and divided. I started my research with just searching on google with the search topic - what is a qr code and how do educators use them.

     A few of the pieces I read at first glance caught my interest. Monica Burns wrote an article for Edutopia, "Five Reasons I Love Using QR Codes in the Classroom" and I was immediately drawn to this article because of the hope I would learn something applicable for my class. Within the first few paragraphs, she clarified what qr code stands for - a quick response code - and clarified my understanding of her use of them in the classroom. Her students have a one-to-one ratio of electronics in the classroom, similar to Round Rock High school, and she uses them to have the students go to one specific website. I thought this was an interesting idea because sometimes students get distracted with gaming and other things on their computers, but if they had a smart phone it might be a way to keep them more engaged with the one site, as opposed to resorting to their natural multi-tasking habitat. Not only does using a qr code on a handout help her keep her students on task, she also explains that it helps with students frustration levels. I think that students who struggle with technology or have some learning disabilities could really benefit from this differentiation. Monica Burns also give a link to a website that is a QRCodeGenerator and has interesting design options.

    Similar to Monica Burns, London Jenks, a science teacher uses qr codes to generate learning and engagement in his classes. He has even created scavenger hunts where the students can find the codes around the building and check their answers as they work. He uses a different qr code generator called snapmyinfo which seems pretty straightforward and basic.

    Kelly Walsh author of, "25 Fun Ways to use QR Codes for Teaching and Learning" developed an entire list of innovative ways to  extensively make use of her classroom space to it's full potential. Walsh describes creating, "hotspots" in her classroom where students can scan a qr code for extended learning or differentiation. She also explains that they can be used to inform students of awards they have earned based on good behavior or classwork. Another one of her ideas is organizing your classroom library with qr codes to allow students to check out books.

After reading these sources, my interest in using qr codes was peaked. I realized that I could use them for many innovative purposes. Teachers can use qr codes for differentiation, inclusion support, going green, or scavenger hunts. My next step was to find teachers or students who were experienced qr code users.

Interviewing

The Interviews

After completing my internet research I wanted to discover how students and teachers use qr codes on a regular basis.

Student Interview:

1. Do you know what a qr code is and where have you seen them?

   A qr code is an image that you scan and it links you to information.

2. Do any of your teachers use qr codes?

   Sometimes with handouts, but not often in high school. Sometimes we used them in middle school.

3. What did you use qr codes for?

   I use them with snapchat mostly. It's pretty easy and fun. You can add friends or get invites to parties and stuff.

4. Would you like if teachers used them or used snapchat in the classroom?

   Teachers don't know how to use snap chat Ms. that would be like weird.

Administration (AP email interview)

1. Do you know what a qr code is and have you used them?

Yes, once for PD.

2. Have you seen teachers using them? If so do you think it enhanced the educational process?

No, I have not seen teachers using them.

3. Do you think a training on this might be beneficial for teachers on campus?

Possibly, it depends on how it is being used.

Alix Horton (Instructional Coach for New Tech)

1. Have you used a qr code to facilitate materials at a conference?

We have occasionally, but most of the materials we use are online already and in a published program.

2. Have you seen any lessons that are project based facilitated with qr codes?

I have not, but that might be an interesting way to have the students find the driving question and start finding the materials for the project.

Teachers at RRHS

I sent out an all staff email asking if anyone used qr codes in their classroom, how they used them, if they were effective. I received two emails back, both teachers said yes. One teacher said they used them for surveys and for scavenger hunts. The other teacher said that she has one outside her classroom door with her tutoring hours and email.

Watching and Doing

Watching/Listening

Interviewing students and teachers led me to question how often do I see qr codes in my life, how can I make them applicable, can I use them as a promotional tool to enhance my students confidence and publicity? It made me think of an old NPR episode on the radio where teens were talking about being, "relevant" to their peers (Glass). They discussed how their confidence was based on how many likes they got through social media. I started to wonder, what if I could generate confidence in my students writing ability by generating views on their blog.

I started testing the idea by discussing with my Practical Writing students that each time their blog was viewed it had a hit mark on their chart. I discussed that professional bloggers often have add campaigns and can make money by the number of people that visit their sites. I explained to my students that they must be willing to publish their work and having strangers read it. The students were intrigued and a new idea was born.

If the students were willing to take the link from their blog and turn it into a qr code, they could share the qr code with a friend or family member who would automatically be able to read their writing even if they didn't have access to a computer. I tasked the students with one goal, share their blog with just one other person using the snapmyinfo website. After this class, the students came back to me and shyly announced that they had shared it with a teacher, friend, or parent, and I could tell that they were proud of themselves. The idea that they were published authors enhanced their confidence and made them more engaged with the concept of writing each day.

Reflection

     Throughout this blog, I have posted links to the articles I thought were really useful and the links to their preferred qr code makers. Although I started the process trying to ascertain whether qr codes were an applicable and easy way to incorporate technology into the classroom, I was surprised by what I learned. Websites that have qr code makers are incredibly simple to use and free! I assumed that you would have to purchase software or copyright licenses to be able to use them.

    The applications for qr codes in the classroom are numerous and can provide so many opportunities for differentiation for an inclusion classroom or for ell students. If ELL students have a smart phone, they can quickly look up background information or explanations for vocabulary that they may not know. ELL students who are able to discreetly look up information may feel less embarrassed and more empowered then if they had to ask in front of the class.

  I was reminded by, This American Life how teenagers view their importance and place in life often by how their established second life through social media portrays them. If using qr codes helps them establish a writing fellowship, boosts their self confidence, it can only lead to higher engagement.

Inquiry Questions... Worked Cited

Research Question: How do you create a qr code and incorporate it into student projects/assignments?

Search Questions:
1. What is a qr code?
2. How do educators use qr codes in the classroom?
3. Do students recognize qr codes and would they use them to facilitate their own learning?
4. What are the uses behind qr codes?

Interview Questions:
Students
1. Do any of your teachers use qr codes?
2. Do you know what a qr code is?
3. Would you like if teachers used qr codes?

Teachers/Admin
1. Do you use qr codes?
2. Do you think qr codes could be beneficial in learning?
3. Have you seen teachers use qr codes or do you use them to facilitate learning?

Work Cited

Burns, Monica. "Five Reasons I Love Using QR Codes in My Classroom." Edutopia. George Lucas Educational Foundation, 23 Jan. 2013. Web. 16. Dec 2015.


McCrea, Bridget.  "QR Codes in the Classroom The Journal." QR Codes in  the Classroom THE Journal. Public Sector Media Group, 31 Aug. 2011. Web. 16 Dec. 2015.


"The Magic of QR Codes in the Classroom. TedED Professional Series. Karen Mensing. 20 June 2013. Radio.

This American Life. WBEZ. Chicago, 27 Nov. 2015. Radio.


Walsh, Kelly. "Awesome Free ED Tech Resources EBOOK!" Emerging Education Technologies RSS. 7 Dec. 2014. Web. 16 Dec. 2015.