Classtools' QR Code Treasure Hunter

This could be a suitable game for kineaesthetic learners, essentially learners who are constantly on the move and simply cannot sit still. Fancy an afternoon of running around the school looking for posters stuck with QR Codes and scanning in the QR Codes with a tablet to reveal questions online? After doing so, learners key in their responses to the questions online using the tablets.

This is what a student will typically see on their smartphone/tablet after having scanned in the QR code.

Here's how this can work.

1. Submit!
Input a series of questions and answers using QR Treasure Hunt Generator.

2. Create!
Get a QR code for each question.

3. Display!
Put the QR codes around your school.

4. Begin!
Students find and answer the questions.

A case study can be found here.



Links:
1) Refer to QR Treasure Hunt Generator for implementation
2) Search for 500 most recent quizzes from 500 Most recently created quizzes using the QR Treasure Hunt Generator
3) Using QR Codes in the Classroom

My Own QR Code

After viewing the latest visual QR codes, I decided to create my own QR codes recently. QR Codes are essentially ways to link to content online using a QR Code scanner. They are great for promoting and marketing. Look at some of these designs below.

Some of the really beautiful visual QR code designs can be found at VisualLead Designs

Starbucks QR Code

AVON Cosmetics QR Code

I was quite amazed by the versatility in design by visualead. Unfortunately as I am only using a free version of the Visual QR Code, it is not ad-free. Both however do a nice job of redirecting to my blog when I tried using my QR Reader on my iphone.

Look at my 2 creations below.

1. VisualLead



2. QRStuff

Edshelf - Your perfect search engine for educational apps

Not sure of where to find an app that meets your needs? Go to https://edshelf.com/ to type in key words to search or explore their Collections for specific apps.

You can also write a review after using a listed app by becoming a member.

Read through members' reviews to find out usability and functions of the app.

Some of the collections that I most frequent are:

Adaptive Learning
Classroom Management
Computer Programming

Game Creators

Backchanneling and Informal Assessment Comparison Chart

On the topic of back channelling and informal assessment, here's a link to 9 useful tools for gathering feedback and learning from students as suggested by Richard Bryne from freetech4teachers

9 Popular Students Feedback Response Tools

The problem with 1:1 Computer Programmes

I was just reading two related articles on technology integration in the classrooms with the use of 1 to 1 tablets. A very interesting read about how Technology Integration may fail without the proper management of these critical success factors. We all know that Apple apps are interesting and engaging in the classroom, however the LAUSD iPad experience provides valuable learning lessons for us. 

Besides the bidding process, the planning and implementation of the LAUSD iPad also ran into amok. 

Some questions for us to ponder about before a TI. 

1) Visioning - was the vision communicated well and clearly to all stakeholders? 

2) Top-down strategies - was it a case of top-down call or were there programme owners who OWNed it? 

3) Training - how comfortable are users with the platform? is a one-off training adequate? 

4) Control versus Risk-Taking - do we trust our students enough that they will use the platform for educational purposes or are we imposing so many restrictions on them because we are afraid that they will hack into our systems?

5) Parents' Concerns - how do we address parents' concerns and insecurities of using technology as a replacement for pen and paper homework?

Read the 2 articles here:
1. The LAUSD iPad Initiative: 5 Critical Technology Integration Lessons
2. Engaging Parents with Tech Initiatives