Field+Based+Activities+Reflection+III.A

Standard III.A says that the technology facilitator should apply and implement curriculum plans that include methods and strategies to maximize student learning (Williamson & Redish, 2009). Quick response (QR) codes are one way to do just that. A Quick Response Code is a digital image that can be scanned without the beam of light needed to scan barcodes at the supermarket. It's used in advertising and marketing for smartphone users (Burns, 2013).

I first learned about QR codes at a technology conference. My mind began working overtime with ways I could use them. I came up with one idea that just seemed genius (if I must say so, myself!) One of the programs that is immensely popular with elementary music teachers is Recorder Karate. Students get "belts" by learning a particular piece of music on their recorder. The idea is not copyrighted; the developer of the program invites teachers to contribute their own ideas and methods for implementing the program. My idea was to record myself (using my smart phone) giving a mini lesson for "Hot Cross Buns" then play it. I uploaded the video into YouTube, created a QR code for the URL, then copied placed the QR code on the top of the sheet of music. (Don't worry - "Hot Cross Buns" is public domain.) The student takes the music home, scans the QR code with a smart phone, then gets his/her mini lesson, and a chance to play along with the teacher. If they have access to a computer, they can take the next step and record theirself playing and send it back to the teacher in the form of a QR code. Rather than taking class time to do "belt tests" the teacher can do a digital belt test by listening to the recording.

There has been an online Recorder Karate Dojo for quite some time, where students could listen to recordings of the songs, but it does require a computer, as well as the purchase of the Recorder Karate book. Lots of my students didn't have home computers, but most had access to a smartphone.

I enlisted the help of two elementary music teachers, and we made recordings of several of the songs, then created QR codes. I presented the lesson at a session at Texas Music Educators Association Convention. and it was very well received. My fellow teachers think I should make a series of recordings - one for each Recorder Karate belt - and sell them. I might do just that!



Burns, M. (2013). Five reasons I love using QR codes in my classroom. Edutopia. Retrieved May 10, 2013, from []

Williamson, J. & Redish, T. (2009). I // STE's technology facilitation and leadership standards: What every K-12 leader should know and be able to do //. Eugene, Or: International Society for Technology in Education.