Hardlink to the Future: QR Codes

June 23, 2009

Hardlink to the Future: QR Codes

QR Codes allow us to link the physical world and virtual world through barcodes through a process called hardlinking. If you see the QR Code for my website to the left which I generated at kaywa and put on my website to the left and also printed some copies.

So, if this was in the physical world -- say by my door, someone could read it with a QR code reader and it would give them the information coded into it via a text message - or perhaps eventually put that information into their contacts.

Now, this sounds kind of silly to some, however, it has some very interesting applications. For example, you want to remember the details about a person - you can snap a picture and all the information is there without having to write it down or worry about the fact that you were too far away for it to show up in the photo.

Nike did this with a Mountain Dew promotion this past February using MMS - which is texting that includes pictures. Geraldine Jones from the University of Bath seems to be doing some interesting work in this area and QR Code scavenger hunts are popping up.

Hall Davidson has been talking about these for some time in his ever popular cell phones in schools presentation (which I think he's giving at NECC again this year.)

This is definitely an emerging field of which I am NOT an expert. I'm sitting here with lovely printed QR codes trying to make my cell phone read them and convert them in to text and right now, it looks like my Motorola v750 doesn't meet the "qualifications" to make this work. Just so you know what I know. I've pasted in the many twitter responses on QR Codes and perhaps we can learn together. One thing is for sure, I will make this WORK before Saturday when I'm doing a cell phone workshop. There are so many great things, but to me, using these in museums and in the "real world" can create some deep learning experiences -- see, now these QR codes are just attached to text, but what happens when they have video, audio, and more attached to them. Your child who is fascinated by the caveman exhibiltion at the Smithsonian will scan the QR code and have delivered to his cell phone video, audio, perhaps even books (in a Kindle like way) relating to his topic.

Hardlinking is going to be important because it is the next natural progression of things. GPS devices and QR Codes are further linking us into a rich web of learning.

The first response that most people have to this sort of thing is:
How stupid?
Too much technology, why don't we get out and play?
Who on earth would want to do that?

However, as my Dad used to say -- if everybody thinks it is a good idea - you're too late. I seem to recall the same things being said about twitter 2 years a go. This is life and life is change.

So, if you are a QR Code expert - teach me and how do I make this bloomin' cell phone read those things without racking up horrible data charges! Ughh!

Twitter responses below.