QR Codes and their application in libraries

AULIC New Technologies21st June, 2009

Andy RamsdenHead of e-LearningUniversity of Bath

http://go.bath.ac.uk/andyramsden

eatbath-present

andyramsden

http://www.bath.ac.uk/lmf/download/45548

URL

aims

• Introduce you to QR Codes

• Illustrate some of their uses within the Library (and other services) at the University of Bath

• Start to get you to think about how they might be used within your library context

http://www.flickr.com/photos/89509548@N00/496717386/

across to you

• Who has scanned a QR Code on their phone?

• Who has created a QR Code?

what is a QR code?

A QR Code is a matrix code (or two-dimensional bar code) created by Japanese corporation Denso-Wave in 1994. The "QR" is derived from "Quick Response", as the creator intended the code to allow its contents to be decoded at high speed. QR Codes are common in Japan where they are currently the most popular type of two dimensional codes.

An ever increasing number of tasks can be achieved using a QR code. The core ones are,

• Link to web site• Send an sms to a phone• Transfer a phone number• Provide more text

http://blogs.bath.ac.uk/qrcode

A QR Code effectively and efficiently connects the physical world to the electronic on your mobile phone.

URL

• QR Code Generator• A task / activity which is appropriate for a small screen device

what is involved?

• Camera phone• Good connectivity• QR Code Reader• Money

A QR Code Reader

http://www.tigtags.com/getqr

A QR Code Generator

http://www.bath.ac.uk/barcodes

The following example, illustrates scanning a QR Code, adding it to your favourites and accessing the web site: http://www.bath.ac.uk/lmf/download/26048

QR Codes & the Library

QR Codes only QR Codes with other tools

e-Admin

e-Learning

Subscription to a rss news feed

Within library catalogue

? Campus / Library Inductions

vCard / Office Hours

Improving feedback

getting in contact

improving the feedback loop

Contact details of the author(s)• name, email, phone number

Visit their blog and leave a comment, and/or read comments left by other people

URL

TXT

Text comments about the poster to their mobile phone (or text service)

SMSURL

http://blogs.bath.ac.uk/casestudies

Use QR Codes to improve the feedback loop through reducing the barriers involved in a person commenting on a poster or exhibit. Use of the QR Code facilitates the effective completion of the task on a phone.

integration into the catalogue

http://blogs.bath.ac.uk/qrcode/2009/03/23/uni-of-bath-library-including-qr-codes-in-catalogue/

URL

subscribing to news feeds

http://isecure.bath.ac.uk/pcstatus/RSSWide.aspx?id=All PACs&images=yes

connecting the physical and the virtual

QR Code based learning activity

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jazzybam/sets/72157615487815373/

Aims

• http://blogs.bath.ac.uk/qrcode/2010/04/28/using-qr-codes-with-a-face-to-face-learning-activity/

Findings

• http://blogs.bath.ac.uk/qrcode/2010/04/30/lessons-from-running-a-qr-code-based-learning-activity/

let many flowers bloom

Aims

In groups (no more than 3 people), work up an authentic scenario (or user story) where you are using QR Codes in your library.

Write this on a piece of A4 paper, and hand in at the end

Outcomes

http://wiki.bath.ac.uk/display/estaffdev/AULIC+New+Technologies

are students aware of QR Codes?

• Do you know what a QR Code is?– Yes: 39.8% (increase from 13.8% in 2008)

• Have you accessed a QR Code?– Yes: 9.6%(increased from 2.2% in 2008)

n = 2765

some barriers to use

skill sets ... time for training

thank you & questions

Andy Ramsden

a.ramsden@bath.ac.uk

eatbath-present

andyramsdenURL

http://blogs.bath.ac.uk/qrcode