Input / Output theory using QR codes

What you will need:

• Some printed QR codes created using QRStuff.com
• Device for reading QRCodes (iOS device, Android device, mobile phone, laptop with webcam etc.)

Starter

Prior to the lesson, hide a number of QR codes around the school (or classroom) on a variety of input devices.

Explain to students that you have hidden around the school a number of QR codes containing videos, links and useful resources that will help with their main task. Explain that the QR codes are hidden on different types of input devices and that students must first create a list of possible places the QR codes may be hidden by conducting some research on input devices using the Internet.

QR Hunt

After some initial research, I divide students in to teams of three and give each team an iPad with QR reading software (I use QR Reader which is Free for iOS and Android devices. I also recommend Kaywa reader which is also Free for both iOS and Android).

I give students aprox. 20 minutes to find all the QR codes hidden around the school and instruct them to take notes on what they learn from the content embedded inside each of QR codes. - Alternatively, if you are unable to use QR codes, place several input devices around the classroom with numbered stickers on them and ask students to find each device and explain what they are and what they might be used for.

Once all the students had returned from their QR hunt, I usually ask them to explain what they have learnt.

After discussing with students what they had learned from the QR code hunt, I explain to students about the different types of Input and Output devices and their purpose. I follow this up by explaining how some devices can be used to assist with specific needs.

Finally, I showed pupils an extract from lecture 2 of the RI Christmas lectures 2008: Chips with everything (Give me a wave) which demonstrates, using sunglasses, the technology behind liquid crystal displays.

Main Task:

After a brief explanation of the different technologies and their uses, I instruct students to create a revision wiki on the different types of input and output devices using wikispaces classroom. (wikispaces.com). Alternatively, you could also use PBWorks or your school’s VLE if you have one.

See more at: http://teachwithict.weebly.com/6/post/2013/09/teaching-computer-science-day-2-fun-with-qr-codes.html

Level: (Beginner)

Duration: (50 mins)

Teaches:

• Understand the need for input & output devices
• Describe suitable devices for a wide range of computer based scenarios
• Know how devices can be used to assist with specific needs