Augmented Learning - Lesson Plan

Augmented Learning & QR Code Lesson Plan

Use in the Classroom
I chose to use QR codes because these are becoming more popular in the art world. They use QR codes to upload their artwork to Artsonia and this past year Art Prize in Grand Rapids included QR codes for each piece that was exhibited.

This artifact would be printed as a poster. Students can access the artist info any time during centers when they are on an ipad. They can also work in small groups to learn more about the artists that we are studying. Each grade level has a specific artist that they study and this poster defines that artist and provides two links per artist. The links include biography information as well as sample artworks.

Students will be able to:

• Use the classroom ipads to scan the QR code
• Research artist biography information and view artist works of art
• Analyze the artist's works of art based on class discussion
• Create his or her own work of art based on the stylistic elements of the presented artist

This is a great tool to use for information sharing and artist research. I have been trying to figure out how to do a fifth grade research project on an artist. I could see creating an overview sheet for selected artists with QR codes that students can take with them to study in class on the ipads or at home on their own devices. 

The biggest obstacle would be lack of technology. In my classroom, we have three ipads. I can borrow from other teachers and we have a shared ipad cart. Not having 1:1 technology would impede the students' ability to complete research on time. However, the benefit is that they can take a handout home and share that information with their families and continue doing research at home. 

Application

When designing my poster, I used several design principles from the reading. I kept text to a minimum with enough of a "hook" to get them started. I also color coded each grade level to match the color of their grade level shirts (each student is given a shirt at the beginning of the year in the grade level color - e.g., kindergarten is blue, first grade is red, etc.) The text and the codes are close together and yet defined by a rectangle so the student's know which QR code to scan to get the information they are looking for. 

Reflection

The idea that I can provide directed research for students is very helpful. One of my classmates referred to google as "the black hole of google" (paraphrasing) and I think about that often when planning projects for students to research. Using QR codes and apps like padlet help direct students to information without them getting lost on the internet (and also helps reduce the risk of finding inappropriate content). The idea that students can use a tool they're already familiar with (QR codes) to do research allows them to use prior knowledge and reduces instruction time. It also encourages them to think about other areas in art that they're using one tool and may be able to use it in another way.