Special schools exist to give learners a focused training or development on a particular talent or skill, such as music, arts, acting, modeling, and more. It can also enhance learners’ basic academic skills particularly reading, writing, and arithmetic. These schools have been thriving in the recent years. But with the arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic, even these have to face challenges such as shifts of modality, laying off of employees, and even reducing programs to continue operating.
But in spite of these challenges, most of these institutions continued to keep abreast with the changes and thrive, finding innovative ways to make sure that their learners get the best education.
And one of these ways is through incorporating QR Codes into their operation.
What are QR Codes and How do they Work?
QR or Quick Response Codes are small, square-shaped codes that can store up to more than 7,000 numeric characters. This means that a single code alone can allow a user to access huge information and resources, or perform tasks with only a single scan. If a smartphone has a functioning and legitimate scanner, then that should do the trick.
Why Special Schools should Consider Implementing QR Codes
QR CODES IMPROVE ACCESSIBILITY. QR Codes can give users wide access to learning resources, most especially for students with disabilities, as they may find it difficult to use learning materials. These could come in the form of audio descriptions of visual content. Or, features like assistive technology which provide text-to-speech functions for visually-impaired students.
QR CODES ENHANCE ENGAGEMENT. QR Codes can also provide immersive and interactive learning experiences for students, keeping them engaged in a variety of contents. You can link these to videos, audio recordings, and other media that help enhance their learning of the discipline or skill.
QR CODES CAN STREAMLINE INFORMATION ACCESS. QR Codes can make it easy for teachers and learners to access information. For instance, links these to to instructional videos, class schedules, homework and assignments, projects, and the like.
QR CODES CAN PROVIDE REAL-TIME FEEDBACK. In classes, it is important to give immediate feedback to learners’ performance. And these could be done with QR Codes too. QR Codes can be linked to quizzes and other assessment tools, which can easily provide feedback on how well the learner has mastered a discipline or skill.
QR CODES CAN EASILY COLLECT PAYMENT. Gone are the days when we are counting payment and scrambling for change. Linking QR Codes to an electronic wallet will enable the clients to pay the exact amount and attend school at a given schedule.
QR CODES ARE COST-EFFECTIVE AND SUSTAINABLE. Imagine the tons of paper, ink, gas, energy, and money that can be saved by cutting down on using paper-based materials. QR Codes can be linked to e-forms (e.g. Google Forms) for registration, or to digital versions of textbooks and other instructional materials.
QR Code Implementation Strategies in Special Schools
Want to know how to maximize the use of QR Codes in special schools? Here are some ways:
ADVERTISE THEIR LEARNING INSTITUTION. QR Codes can be used to give information about the school. It can be linked to a landing page containing pictures of the school, the school’s history, the services it offers, the faculty and staff, and the learning experiences. QR Codes can also facilitate student registration and streamline payment.
LINK QR CODES TO MULTIMEDIA CONTENT. QR Codes can hold a variety of digital content like audio recordings, videos, pictures, virtual tour museums, and more. These make the learning experience more immersive and engaging to the students. For example, a music school can link a QR Code to an instructional video on how to hit the high notes when singing.
GRANT ACCESS TO ONLINE RESOURCES. QR Codes can also be used to give learners access to a variety of online resources like e-books, articles, or interactive modules. For instance, a tutorial center could use QR Codes to link to an interactive module about reading comprehension skills.
ENHANCE COMMUNICATION. QR Codes can also be used to facilitate communication between the stakeholders. If the school plans to call for a parent-teacher conference, it only needs to flash a QR Code in an electronic invitation. Parents can scan to register or confirm attendance. QR Codes can also be linked to a teacher’s email address, phone number, or other means of contact. Alternatively, to the customer service for queries and clarifications.
Creating QR Codes for Special Schools
CHOOSE A FUNCTIONAL AND LEGIT ONLINE QR CODE GENERATOR
If you are looking for a reliable and legit QR Code generator online, look no further! QR Cloud has everything that you need. It offers a variety of features that can help you customize and design your QR Code according to your purpose.
GO DYNAMIC!
If you want a QR Code that is sustainable, modifiable, and trackable, use a dynamic QR Code. You can easily make changes to the QR Code’s content without having to re-download or reprint it. How convenient is that? And if you want to make informed decisions about your special school, the dynamic QR Codes can provide analytics for you.
ONE CODE, ONE PURPOSE
When creating a QR Code, make it 1:1. That means, for one code, there should only be one purpose. If you are planning to create a code that provides a learning material, the code must be linked to the learning material only, not to a registration form or another landing page. With this, the users will not be confused on the QR Code they are scanning.
CREATE A CALL TO ACTION
Users want an instruction that they can simply follow. For example: Scan to download pdf or scan to watch video.
FOLLOW THE BASIC LAYOUT
Many QR Code generators enable users to recolor, redesign, and further customize the QR Code. But it is still important that we stick to the basic layout first. That means, employing dark-to-light contrast. This means, your foreground must be dark in color and your background must be light in color. This makes it easier for the scanner to detect the link in your created code.
GIVE IT A SCAN TEST
You cannot implement a QR Code without testing if it works. If it doesn’t, you can go back to the QR Code and make adjustments, then scan it again to see if it works this time. Then you can already implement it however you need.
How to Track Learners’ Progress with QR Codes
QR Codes can be used to track learners’ progress. It can be linked to a variety of landing pages where they can perform interactive activities or showcase their skills and talents.
QUIZZES AND ASSIGNMENTS. Teachers can link a QR Code to various forms of electronic assessment tools that evaluate learners’ understanding of a particular lesson. When learners scan the QR Code, they will be directed to a quiz, a unit test, an exam, or an assignment, and receive immediate feedback on how well they performed.
LEARNING JOURNALS. Learners can link a QR Code to their learning journals or any other documentation tools that reflect their progress over time.
E-PORTFOLIOS. QR Codes can also be linked to learners’ e-portfolios that display learners’ work and progress over a period of time. When the QR Code has been scanned, users can view samples of the learners’ best work such as assignments, images, videos, and other digital content.
LEARNING ANALYTICS. QR Codes can also be linked to learning analytic tools that enable teachers to track their learners’ progress. After scanning the QR Code, they can view data on learners’ performance such as quiz and assignment scores, time spent on tasks, and other useful metrics. These may help them make informed decisions on where to take their learners next.
FEEDBACK FORMS. QR Codes can also be used to allow learners to provide feedback on their experience. When they scan a QR Code, they can be taken to a form where they can provide information on what they found helpful and challenging, and what they expect in the next years to come.
Conclusion
Special schools can benefit greatly from using QR Codes. This innovative technology will not only help them save. But more importantly, advertise their school, gain enrollees, provide an immersive and engaging learning experience, track learners’ progress, and make informed decisions about their school’s next direction.
-
Previous Post
7 Ways to Maximize QR Codes for House Cleaning Services