QR Code Proposal

QR Codes & The iPod Touch to Promote Engagement & Learning in the High School History Class QR Codes (Quick Response Codes) are already being used extensively in Japan and are slowly appearing in the United States. A QR Code is a two dimensional bar code, when scanned by a cell phone, or iPod Touch, directly points to designated web content. The QR Code creates a bridge between printed media, and online media. The iPod Touch is the most practical tool for integrating QR codes due to built in wi-fi and a free application that allows the ipod touch to scan QR Codes.

The potential for QR Codes to increase engagement and learning has not been thoroughly explored and this grant proposal could open up an entirely new approach to teaching and learning. Imagine a classroom that has a world map on display with small QR Codes placed on various parts of the map. With a wi-fi connection and an iPod Touch, a student could scan one code and be linked to a video from youtube, scan another code and be linked to the CIA World Fact Book about that country. A word wall on display in the classroom could have a small QR Code next to every word, that when scanned by an ipod touch would direct students to web based content to increase their understanding of the word. The potential for embedding information with teacher created QR Codes is powerful. The project only becomes more powerful when students begin to create and evaluate information that they embed in QR Codes.

Project / Teacher Goals: Enhance student learning by providing the opportunity for students to explore and learn information through the innovative approach of embedding state history curriculum, having students create, web-publish and embed state curriculum in QR Codes. Also, by participating in the project, students will know and be able to demonstrate their ability to: create QR codes, embed information in QR codes, scan QR codes, improve internet literacy by identifying appropriate material to embed in QR codes and create original internet based content by authoring blogs or websites. In addition to these goals, the project will address the following Massachusetts Technology Literacy Standards and Expectations: G9-12: 1.32, 1.33, 1.34, 1.38, 2.9, 2.10, 3.5, 3.6, 3.9. The technology standards will be met by students identifying appropriate means to publish their original work, produce web based presentations, link to web based information, edit, publish and organize work in blogs / websites, evaluate sources of web based information and collaborate with students throughout the project.

Activities: The project will take place with a 10th grade U.S. History Honors class of 16.

Stage I: Teacher created QR Codes. To introduce the tool and technology, four lessons will integrate QR Codes. Lessons will include: QR Code Art Gallery, QR Code Map Analysis, QR Code Review Session, and QR Code Primary Document Analysis. All lessons will create a bridge between static paper based content and web based content that will allow for a great depth of understanding, engagement and student learning.

Stage II: Student created QR Code Project & QR Code Homework Submissions QR Code Supplemental Virtual Textbook - Small student groups will be assigned a designated number of topics covered in the tenth grade DESE History Cirriculum and will be responsible for creating one page of information for each topic that will include: Web based video, primary source document, image, student created content and questions about the topic. Each component of the topic will be given a seperate QR Code and all five QR Codes will be placed on one page with text identifying what content is embedded in each code. The textbook will then be used at the end of the school year as a means to review for the final exam. Along with the virtual textbook, students will also be required to submit homework assignments during the fourth term in QR Codes. This practice will increase their comfort level and understanding of the technology.

Stage III: Long Term Implementation of QR Codes With the creation of the QR Code Supplemental Virtual Textbook, the project can be sustainted long term and students in subsequent years will be able to use the iPods and Textbooks throughout an entier year.

Budget: 5 Ipod Touch 8GB @ $190 = $950

5 Ipod Touch Cases @ $10 = $50

Total Budget = $1000

Assessment: Both formal and informal assessment will be used to examine the impact of the QR Code project. After completing phase one of the project students will complete a writing assignment to reflect on their participation in the project. After completing phase two of the project, students will complete an online survey to formally collect responses to evaluate the impact of the project. Student grades on the final exam will also be evaluated in comparison to the grades earned on the final exam by students from the previous school year who did not have access to multimedia, student created QR Code review material.

Dissemination Plans: Upon completion of the QR Code Project, I would like to present a session at next year’s MassCue Technology Conference and publish and article in OnCue. Timetable: The timetable below will be supplemented by monthly blog entries about the project.

November – Submit Proposal February – Buy supplies & begin Stage I of project (2 lessons) March – Continue with Stage I of project (2 lessons) April & May – Stage II of project. Students work in small groups to create virtual QR Code Textbook June – Complete Assessment for QR Code Project July – Submit results and reflection to MassCue November, 2010 – Present QR Code Project at MassCue Technology Conference *The QR Code at the top of the paper links to the entire text of this proposal.