"The IWMW event provides an opportunity for those involved in the provision of institutional Web services to hear about institutional case studies, national initiatives and emerging technologies and to actively participate in a number of parallel sessions."

Parallel Session: Are QR Codes simply a fad or do they add value to the mobile user?

Title:

A5: "Are QR Codes simply a fad or do they add value to the mobile user?"

Facilitator:

Andy Ramsden, Head of e-Learning, University of Bath

Abstract:

This workshop will embrace a problem based learning approach to enable the attendees to discuss if they think QR (Quick Response) Codes are a fad, and if they decide they are not, what they add value to the mobile user? It is assumed a number of people in the workshop will have access to the internet. Therefore, by the end of the workshop we will have collectively authored a Google document which addresses the title of the workshop. By the end of the session we may not have reached the definitive answer, however, we will have made significant steps in our own understanding.

A QR (Quick Response) Code is a two dimensional barcode. Which when scanned using a mobile phone enables you to complete a task. The most common tasks include accessing a web resource, sending a pre-written SMS or accessing more text information. The unique selling point is they enable the mobile learner to effectively and efficiently connect to a electronic resource or activity from a physical object.

This workshop is divided into the following parts.

Firstly agreeing on the questions we need to answer to feed into our understanding and enable us to answer the overarching question set by the workshop. For instance we'll need to know:

• What is a QR code?
• How do you create a QR code?
• How do you access a QR code on your phone?
• How are they being used in teaching and learning, and in other sectors?
• How have institutions implemented their QR Code service?
• Do people have the technology to use them now?

The second part will be in small groups developing answers to the questions raised. The methodology will be Web research, and idea sharing. The facilitator will assist by drawing on his knowledge and experience to ensure answers can be readily sourced.

The third part is feedback and discussion within the wider group. After which the smaller groups will enter their thoughts into the Google document.

At the end of the workshop the Google document will be exported and disseminated through the University of Bath's QR Code Project Blog for the wider community to access.

Learning Objectives:

By the end of this session the attendees will be better able to assess the likely effectiveness of using QR Codes on the services and/or teaching they support. The small group problem based learning approach will ensure that people of all experiences will benefit from the session.

Contact Details:

Andy ramsden
University of Bath
BATH
Email: a.ramsden@bath.ac.uk
Web site: http://go.bath.ac.uk/andyramsden

Materials

Slides

This presentation is available on the Slideshare repository

Some session notes/observations are available from the Bath blog