Coming into this session I wasn’t looking forward to it. Mainly because I was confused as to what QR codes could be used to do in teaching. However, once I realised that it was an outdoor learning task it made me realise that this could open up many avenues as “This is evident from the increasing number of activities that can be achieved using a QR code.” ( Ramsden, 2008).
Outdoor learning is very important for children as it provides motivating, exciting, different, relevant and easily accessible activities from pre-school years through to college (Education Scotland, 2010).
We were then set a task as a group. The task was to create a lesson plan that centred around QR codes. Before we done anything to do with QR codes, we had to decide what Es&Os we wanted to use. For this task we used:
MNU 1-03a- I can use addition, subtraction, multiplication and division when solving problems, making best use of the mental strategies and written skills I have developed.
After deciding this we then moved onto creating questions and answers and assigning them a QR code. This was very easy to do as we used a QR code creating app. This app only needed the question to be typed into it and it would produce a QR code. This made the process very Quick and easy.
After creating the QR codes we then had to place them around the university, so we could involve an outdoor learning aspect. We then paired up with another group and proceeded to carry out their lesson, while they carried out ours. After this we exchanged feedback. The feedback was that the questions may have been too easy and that the lesson took too long. After reflecting on the questions and the number of them, I can see where the other group were coming from. The questions were of a basic standard and for the task to be useful it should push the learners to a certain level. Also, we were finished their task much faster than they were finished ours which highlighted the length straight away.
Overall, I can see why QR codes have been introduced to enhance learning. However, I feel that I will have to study ways in which I can utilise QR codes in lessons, so that I can get the best possible use out of them.
References:
Education Scotland (2010) Curriculum for Excellence Through Outdoor Learning.
Ramsden, A 2008 ‘The use of QR codes in Education: a getting started guide for academics’ University of Bath, Bath, U. K.
