The Use of Quick Response Codes in the Classroom

The purpose of this article is to explore and analyse teaching methods and processes that incorporate Quick Response (QR) codes and mobile devices into the classroom. Quick Response codes are two dimensional barcodes that are used to encode and decode information. QR codes can contain information such as text, URL links, automatic SMS messages, or just about any other information that can be embedded in a two-dimensional barcode. This encoded data can be decoded by scanning the barcode with a mobile device that is equipped with a camera and QR reader software. Although QR codes are very versatile and have been around for over fifteen years, their use in education is still in its infancy. This paper introduces the available implementations of QR codes in education. These implementations were developed with teachers to correspond to their needs and wishes. The students were very enthusiastic and motivated but the teachers’ attitude was more sceptical. The main feedback from the teachers was that the planning of QR activities is an arduous task when one is not familiar with QR codes or the ways to utilize them. In our study we found that QR codes can support learning in different contexts. We also found that QR codes can support both independent and collaborative learning and that QR codes can motivate and engage learners. Author