QR Codes in education: watch this space

A QR (quick response) code is a two dimensional bar code that can be read on a mobile device, such as a camera phone. Once the device decodes the information then it will enable an action to be undertaken. For instance, this might be accessing a web page, displaying text information or subscribing to an RSS feed. For the learner this offers significant potential as it connects the physical and electronic worlds.

There are several free generators on the web, I use Kaywa.  And there are also several free readers available for a variety of mobile phones, currently I’m using i-nigma. Andy Ramsden (University of Bath) is currently undertaking a small piece of work for the JISC Users and Innovation programme to develop a ‘beginners guide’ to using QR codes in education. So watch this space, and we’ll post information when it’s available. If you are already using QR codes in education please post information in the comments box and we’ll try include your details in the guide.

In the meantime, there is a prize of a box of chocolates for the first (UK based) person to contact me and tell me what the QR code is below.

QR Code

8 comments

  1. I used a web-based decoder and it told me the QR code says ‘m m’ – which might figure as the prize is chocoloate…. otherwise I’m stumped and would be really interested to hear more about QR codes – both what they are and how they might be used.

  2. We are looking at two possible uses.

    1. In the library to put them on the book shelves to provide URLS for digital and online resources that complement the books on that shelf.

    2. As a viral marketing campaign to raise profile of the college.

    I use them in presentations to deliver my contact details.

  3. I must be getting old butI still can’t see the monkey image. I need an ASCII art decoder! Looks interesting technology though and seems to work very well. We are thinking that it might be of use in terms of signing off Medical Student OSCE exams where a student does a simulated exercise at a multiple number of stations.

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