QR codes and the mobile web

This is a poster I presented yesterday at the UTS Teaching and Learning Forum called "QR codes and the mobile web". There was much interest in the poster and I demonstrated how they work with my iphone which has the i-nigma reader installed (I think this is the best reader I have tested for the iphone as it auto takes photos very quickly with low error rate - much for efficient than the BeeTag reader). The poster was aimed at raising awareness of QR codes and their potential use in teaching, learning and research environments. The audience was mainly academic staff and most had seen QR codes before but weren't sure how they worked. I explained how we're using them in the library and suggested ways they could use them in their contexts. Most people were enthusiastic about trying to use them in some way and appreciated the way QR codes can bridge the gap between physical and digital learning environments. The full abstract is below.

QR codes and the mobile web

View more documents from MissSophieMac.

At UTS Library we are engaged in the delivery of high quality information literacy training and services to clients. We endeavour to maintain awareness of emerging trends in technology and communications with regard to their impact on educational and library settings. Through this process we hope to better meet client needs and expectations by creating an evolving and dynamic teaching and learning environment. One way UTS library is trying to achieve this is through the use of QR codes. QR codes are barcodes for the 21st century that can be scanned by a mobile device and lead you to a website, video, podcast, quiz, pdf, or almost anything! They are simple to create and use as will be demonstrated live during the poster session. As more and more people use mobile devices everyday, the need to provide mobile content for accessing on-the-go is increasing and QR codes are a simple way to achieve that. Mobile devices allow the digital and physical worlds to interact via QR codes and enhance the teaching and learning environment.

At UTS Library we are trialling QR codes in our promotional bookmarks and flyers for example, a flyer promoting the new catalogue will have a QR code leading to a short screencast of how to use the new catalogue. While this is a simple idea, it provides library clients with an immediate interactive experience of how to use a new hands-on service that is better explained by demonstration than in reading a flyer. QR codes have been used in a wide variety of contexts such as advertising, events, music, museums, games, libraries and education. In an educational setting QR codes could be introduced to handouts or UTSonline as a way to enhance the learning experience. For example, websites, quizzes or video content referred to could have a QR code attached allowing people to access content on their mobile device in the classroom or on-the-go. It is also possible to create short screencasts or vodcasts for specific classes in minutes and link them to QR codes for placing in handouts, lecture slides or UTSonline. An added benefit of using QR codes is that they can be scanned by the mobile device and stored to be accessed anytime.

We will be educating our clients about QR codes and monitoring this pilot project by tracking usage statistics of the content we link to. We hope to enhance our existing library services through the use of QR codes by creating a more engaging and dynamic teaching and learning environment.

Twitter and interactive teaching and learning support

This is a short aside from my customisation theme to introduce a few ways of providing more interactive support to learning and teaching activities. Libraries are starting to use social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter to reach clients in their online worlds rather than expecting them to visit the library website (which in a way is related to customisation). While this is a smart move, it could be redundant if not managed well. What is the point of being there, what are you posting, what is the benefit? Below are some ways interactivity can be embedded not just in social networking sites but in any teaching and learning space.

Screenr: Web-based screencasting tool. So easy! All you need is a microphone so you can record your voice over the screencast. What this is good for is demonstrating a website, catalogue, databases or lecture slides while you talk through what to do. This tool allows you to create a screencast up to 5 mins that could be in response to a reference question you received or as a quick tip on how to better use resources. When you've finished recording your screencast: screenr can tweet the description and link for you, you can email the link, you can embed the video in a powerpoint slide, blog, website or upload to your WebCT. Overall, this is a very simple tool requiring no technical knowledge with the potential to make short informative messages more interactive and engaging.

Twitcam: You may have seen my first attempts at this today! The Elton John style glasses were actually memorabilia from the Sydney 2000 Olympics Games. In case you haven't seen it yet take a look below. This simple web-based vodcasting tool requires nothing but a webcam and a microphone. This would be great for recording short messages, updates and news items that would be more engaging than text based messages. For example, to quickly update library clients on new services and resources or conducting short interviews. When you've finished recording your video, twitchat has the same possibilities as screenr but also allows live chat which is tweeted. This means you can get live discussion going about the content presented. Overall, this is a great alternative to more complex video editing software.



Tinychat: "Create an instant web-based chatroom with a unique short URL... at the drop of a hat." Downloadsquad. This web-based tool is great for creating a temporary chatroom with screensharing capabilities. You simply give your room a name and you can share the link with Facebook and Twitter followers or you can email it to a select group. Up to 12 people can join at one time and you have control over access etc. It is possible to use this tool without a webcam - but not as interactive. This would be great for group meetings, team work, classes for rural and remote students, follow up to lectures, etc. It is best to have a purpose for the chatroom such as a topic, theme or reason for the online meeting. Basically, just another option for supporting teaching learning and research.

Have fun playing with these tools and figuring out how they could be used in your context. I will be sure to keep you updated when new tools are available.