QR Code Mysteries are a fun and interactive way to bring technology into the classroom. QR codes function by requiring the student to actively scan an image to reveal a missing piece of information. This, by definition, ties into active learning.
But what is active learning? Active learning is a teaching style that is student centered and engaging. I think this is something teachers should consider when planning lessons on a day to day basis. Allowing students to take control of their learning ensures that they will take more away from each lesson. It is a well known fact that people retain more of what they do compared to what they are told. Students will remember more information if they are actively working with a concept, rather than sitting in class and listening to a lecture. Essentially, bringing active learning into the classroom brings better learning opportunities to our students.
While active learning can be commonly found in classrooms, it connects to nutrition as well. When providing diet education, active learning helps patients to more effectively retain information. Complicated nutrition concepts can be understood easier if the patient learns by doing, rather than by having an educator simply explain the concepts.
To simplify the concept of QR codes and active learning, I created a Padlet that can be accessed here or viewed below.
If you're interested in following me on Twitter or LinkedIn, scan this QR code to see my digital business card.
If you want to bring QR codes into your classroom and would like to make your own, visit QRStuff.com .
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| Photo courtesy of https://cft.vanderbilt.edu/active-learning/ |
But what is active learning? Active learning is a teaching style that is student centered and engaging. I think this is something teachers should consider when planning lessons on a day to day basis. Allowing students to take control of their learning ensures that they will take more away from each lesson. It is a well known fact that people retain more of what they do compared to what they are told. Students will remember more information if they are actively working with a concept, rather than sitting in class and listening to a lecture. Essentially, bringing active learning into the classroom brings better learning opportunities to our students.
While active learning can be commonly found in classrooms, it connects to nutrition as well. When providing diet education, active learning helps patients to more effectively retain information. Complicated nutrition concepts can be understood easier if the patient learns by doing, rather than by having an educator simply explain the concepts.
To simplify the concept of QR codes and active learning, I created a Padlet that can be accessed here or viewed below.
If you're interested in following me on Twitter or LinkedIn, scan this QR code to see my digital business card.
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| Digital business card made with QRstuff.com |
You bring up a great point about how active learning extends beyond traditional schooling. I have to imagine it would be much more beneficial for a person to actually follow a recipe with sound nutritional ingredients as opposed to just receiving a recipe on a piece of paper and saying "here- this is healthy". Having to actively go through the process (or even actively keeping a food journal) seems like a great demonstration of active learning!
ReplyDeleteI've always been sort of intrigued by QR codes, since they're pretty much everywhere. I never made an effort to use them before to look up nonsense advertisements, but I never thought they could be integrated into the classroom. That's why I made sure to check out your post. It definitely sounds like a cool way to get students up and moving and discovering things for themselves. I wonder if there are any barriers that would limit this such as not every student having a QR-compatible mobile device or off-task behaviors that would interfere when multiple students are using their phones or tablets in class.
ReplyDeleteEric, you bring up a good point. While I certainly love setting my students free to explore and learn, I know that freedom is a responsibility. Many people, however, don't always approach freedom this way.
DeleteInstruction and explanation have their place. Certainly, students must be given chances to "get up and do," but they need to learn HOW to do this. In a philosophically ironic way, their freedom needs to be filtered and monitored. Sometimes, simply saying "you are free to work" is enough. Other times, teachers must guide students through the "active" process. Modeling, while often considered instruction, may actually be the foundation of active learning.
I also like that you mentioned barriers. This is the word that stuck out to me while reading your reply. When it comes to technology in the classroom, we need to be mindful of physical, social, mental, and emotional barriers that influence and shape the learning process.
I like how you incorporated your information into a QR code. I agree that using QR codes enhance the student's learning experience. I got to use it once in my classroom while having the students complete a BreakoutEdu game. They loved when they had to scan the code to reveal some new information.
ReplyDelete