Daiana Ramos, from Belém, Pará has been working as a teacher since 2007. She has an undergraduate degree in English language and literature, and is a specialist in teaching and learning in the English language. In this article, Daiana talks about how she enjoys utilizing technology available to her in the classroom, and shares an activity for encouraging reading through using a QR code reader.
Motivation is the keyword when I brainstorm and plan for my classes; I always try to provide fun, interactive and innovative lessons in order to create a joyful learning environment, where students feel comfortable, confident, engaged and motivated to learn and practice. I love to utilize different available technologies, whether that be the use of different websites, devices or apps.
The QR code reader app is such a nice tool to apply to different activities in class. Since I have experience with this resource, I have been using it to create tasks to promote the benefit of this practice and learning. In this activity, students play a matching game, where they have to read hints about mysteries from pieces of paper I have prepared. They scan the codes for hidden images. Once students find the picture that matches the description from the paper hint they read, they can remove the code and try the next description until all the codes have been discovered.
Introduction and Contextualization
Through my teaching experience, I have noticed that students are not always willing to undertake reading exercises. From my point of view, if the teacher does not design exciting activities, reading will still be considered a tedious moment for both the students and the teacher. This is how I discovered that a QR code is a great way to engage students in reading tasks, and it is also a nice way to integrate technology into my classroom. Students love to use their smartphones during the classes and I believe teachers have the responsibility of finding effective ways to promote mobile tools to build students’ abilities.
Activity overview
Activity Name: Mystery Codes
Needed Materials: Smartphones or tablets, QR Code reader app, internet connection, paper.
Integrated Skills: Reading and speaking, and writing as an extension project.
Activity Description:
The textbook I use has a unit called “Mystery Solved”. This unit is about mysteries, both natural and man-made. After the teacher has presented some mysteries from the textbook and students have discussed them, they go on to solve the QR code mysteries I have prepared for them. Here is the step-by-step guide for the activity:
1. The teacher decides which mysteries he/she will approach from the book and which mysteries will be extra. Type the descriptions about each mystery you chose on pieces of paper and keep them in a small container. These descriptions will be the hints for students to figure out the codes.
2. Google “free QR code generator” to find a website to create the codes. I generally use this one.
The teacher should generate the codes with pictures based on the mysteries’ descriptions pre-determined on step 1. For this specific activity, I created around 17 codes.
3. Students must download and install a free QR Code reader app onto their smartphones or tablets. I generally suggest students do it at home in advance, so we do not waste time in this process.
4. The teacher will spread the QR codes around the school. Make it tricky. Hide the codes in unexpected places, so it makes the game more fun.
Note: In my school we have an art gallery where I always perform this activity, it is an ample space and there is good Wi-Fi available for students. Teachers should always be mindful of the internet access to prevent the activity’s failure.
5. Divide the class into two teams. Tell them they will have to pick up a piece of paper inside the box, read it aloud, and guess together to solve the mystery inside. Once students solve the mystery, they scan the codes until they find the right picture to match the description. Make it clear to students, they can only take one hint at a time and all the interaction has to be done in English. Tell the students they have to remove the codes from when they are found, take them to the teacher, and pick up another piece of paper until there are no more hints.
Note: The teacher must have an answer key for the activity and support students who may have questions.
Extension of the Activity: Back in the classroom, each student can speculate about one of the mysteries presented in the game.
Conclusion, Results and Expectation
From the first moment I saw QR codes used as a learning tool, I was very stimulated, not only to create different activities from the ones that students are used to doing, but also to make reading a fun moment in class.
In my opinion, the described activity combines quite meaningful elements to make teaching and learning something really significant: reading, speaking, fun, technology, diversity, interaction, learning, practicing. Students get really involved and motivated during the activity, especially when they are competitive. During the game, students are expected to use their reading strategies to comprehend the hints, negotiate meaning, and improve their reading skills.