QR Code Periodic Table
Another awesome example of QR Code utilization in school!
iStopMotion Animation, Great for Performance Tasks.
As one of my culminating units this year for my iMedia middle school course, StopMotion Animation is proving again to be one of best avenues for enthusiastic student buy-in and student learning.
Courses designed along a structure where students complete Authentic Performance Tasks (e.g. MYP Design Technology), stopmotion animation combined with MacBooks is a worthwhile combination. Not only can you tie the creation of stopmotion animation into real world applications (take a look at the popularity of such films as Chicken Run, Wallace and Grommit, The Fantastic Mr. Fox, etc.), but students also find intrinsic enjoyment and a valuable outlet to explore/expand their imagination. Furthermore, in a 1-1 MacBook integration, it’s an excellent use of the technology!
In the background, the interdepartmental collaboration cannot be understated. Social Studies and Language Arts? Science and Technology? Mathematics and Drama?
There are plenty of possibilities.
Best Software, in my opinion, has to be iStopMotion 2 by Boinx Software (www.iStopmotion.com). Cost: $99 For Single User, but they offer Educational Volume licenses.
Take some time to explore examples on their website along with their list of good curriculum ideas: http://boinx.com/istopmotion/education/ideas/
As for my course, after an initial “Geek Out” session, students will be working on small benchmark exercises in order to learn the different tools and functions of iStopMotion. For the final performance task, students will create a school admission’s video that answers the question: What does it mean to be a HongQiao Dragon? (a video aimed at increasing and demonstrating school pride)
QR Code Learning Extensions
Over the past 5 weeks, I’ve spent some time further developing and implementing several QR Code Learning Extensions in all my ICT Design Technology courses. These learning extensions were designed to be a way of extending student learning by means of an authentic use of a burgeoning technology.
It is without a doubt that QR Codes are already breaking into consumer marketplaces through adverts found in magazines, billboards, catalogs, etc. In Design Technology, we are determined to be in the forefront of continuing to implement authentic performance tasks through relevant and modern technologies. QR Codes fit this bill.
Furthermore, with the advent of mobile smartphones and the increasing amount of “connected” students, the productive use of QR Codes in an educational environment cannot be understated. As made relevant through QR Code implementations, such as one found in the McDuffy School District in Pennsylvania.
In total, I have developed three learning extensions that rely on the use of QR Codes. The first can be considered an authentic use of the technology in reference to applying it in an advertising setting. Students in my Design Tech: Visual Media class were asked to design and develop an authentic 40sec commercial spot aimed at advertising the Shanghai Zoo. (This application was an extension to an Adobe Photoshop performance task, where they created subway adverts using an Out of Bounds Effect). For this extension, students researched what elements contribute to a successful video advertisement as well as how best to incorporate QR Codes.
This Shanghai Zoo extension allowed students to implement QR Codes in an authentic “real world” manner similar to what professionals in the advertising industry employ. 
The second and third of my learning extensions were developed to be used a unique way for students to reflect on their learning. This was originally an idea developed by one of my 8th grade Advance Design Tech students as part of their research project in developing further uses of QR Codes in education. (Part of this idea was chronicled in one of my previous posts) In this extension, students completed a performance task and afterward, using iMovie and Screen Capturing software, they recorded a podcast reflection of their work. This podcast was then published on their blog and linked to a QR Code placed on their submitted final poster.
What this provided was method for students to reflect on their work in way that incorporates their use of our 1-1 laptop implementation. Furthermore, the demonstration and reflection of their work is then viewable and more accessible to a wider audience (as these final posters) are placed on billboards outside the classroom.
What does the future hold? QR Codes are undoubtedly the future of advertising. In an educational setting, QR Codes hold value as not just a means to further extend student learning but also as a way to develop authentic “real world” performance tasks. My hope is to continue developing further uses of QR Codes with teachers and students in my school, so that we can begin executing a wider implementation whereby smartphones are embraced as a classroom tool and not a nuisance.