The mobile innovation project was developed to encourage academic staff to try harnessing student-owned mobile devices for learning purposes.  Staff submitted an idea for a teaching innovation using mobile technology and agreed to share their experience with other colleagues.

These approaches have been captured in a series of seven case studies which will be highlighted on the e-learning blog over the coming weeks.  These cutting edge teaching approaches may not be suitable for everyone, and some proved difficult in their implementation, but the project provided the opportunity for staff to try out new ways of delivering learning.

The first two case studies are about using QR codes with mobile devices. The first focuses on providing students with flexibility when engaging with learning materials using  QR codes.

In this case study the challenge for the tutor was to integrate emerging learning technologies with real workshop/studio based competences in ways that provided effective learning experiences for students.

The tutor had developed a range of online resources to support students in their practical work.  QR codes and mobile technologies were used to provide quick and efficient access to these resources at a time and place to suit individual students.

The tutor found that creating and reading QR codes was a relatively straightforward process. Initial trials were successful; students had flexible access to learning resources and links to more detailed information about product and process.  The subject group are continuing to explore how the technique can provide other opportunities  to support teaching and learning.

You can read more about this approach by reading the two-page case study entitled: Using QR Codes to support practical individual learning projects.

The second project used QR codes to link virtual resources to physical posters to encourage students to actively engage with existing and additional learning material.

The project aimed to raise student achievement on a module with poor assessment performance, through creation of an ‘active’ poster wall (a physical space where posters were displayed for students to view information and use their mobile devices to access resources) that extended opportunities for student learning and encouraged engagement with key concepts.

This case study describes the first phase of the project which involved creating and testing the poster wall. The posters were about a series of key concepts and displayed QR codes which linked to further media and quizzes about the concept.

The process of generating the posters, media assets and QR codes went smoothly, but unfortunately student engagement with the poster wall was low.

You can read more about this approach by reading the two-page case study entitled: Using QR codes to link virtual resources to physical posters to engage students in extending their understanding.

If you are willing to share your experiences in teaching online in a similar case study, please contact us through the Suggestions link.