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.

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   leighmurrell@coolcatteacher That is why I heart twitter. I would love to learn about it! Are you going to present it at NECC?2 minutes ago from TweetDeck in reply to coolcatteacher

       

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   ajwms@coolcatteacher Oh yes, museums would be awesome! We were thinking marketing 4 schools and media within online courses! BeeTag wks gr8 4 me12 minutes ago from TweetDeck in reply to coolcatteacher

       

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   msquihuis@coolcatteacher there are better QR Code readers for iphone – QuickMark, Intelliscan, Neoreader #iphone #qr code22 minutes ago from TweetDeck in reply to coolcatteacher

       

4. 

   ajwms@coolcatteacher They say things follow you. Your post is so timely as we are just starting to explore QR codes here..I am totally fascinated26 minutes ago from TweetDeck in reply to coolcatteacher

       

5. 

   cuevash@coolcatteacher wow, you are going 2 b busy. I would have notes too. You've got fabulous material. Time 2 shine-be well.about 7 hours ago from UberTwitter in reply to coolcatteacher

       

6. 

   dajbelshawJust watched short Edutopia video showcasing what @coolcatteacher has been up to. Great stuff! (http://bit.ly/lEzsh)about 7 hours ago from TweetDeck

       

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   scsdmedia@coolcatteacher Could it be http://bit.ly/3lyj1 . Not a cell phone tho.about 10 hours ago from Nambu in reply to coolcatteacher

       

8. 

   LSA_Paul@murcha, @julielindsay and @coolcatteacher Sorry I missed this. Could have participated as an Oz teacher seeing I am in Sydney this week :(about 10 hours ago from twhirl in reply to murcha

       

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   murchaI think that was the first time that three schools shared the student summit. An amazing experince. Thanks @julielindsay and @coolcatteacherabout 10 hours ago from web

       

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    AugmentedAdvertRT: @coolcatteacher hi I use Bee Tag which reads QR codes Lots of work being done on this in UK Tricias had a.. http://tinyurl.com/mhmdb5about 10 hours ago from twitterfeed

        

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    mathtrain.@coolcatteacher I use the barcodes on my Mathtrain site and I put them on my biz cards too! I use kaywa.about 13 hours ago from TwitterFon

        

12. 

    orunner@coolcatteacher hi I use Bee Tag which reads QR codes Lots of work being done on this in UK Tricias had a QR as her avatar for a whileabout 14 hours ago from Tweetie in reply to coolcatteacher

        

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    AugmentedAdvertRT: @coolcatteacher QR Codes?: @coolcatteacher QR Codes? http://tinyurl.com/kw3ndvabout 14 hours ago from twitterfeed

        

14. 

    qrpower@coolcatteacher – you're talking about a QR code. You can create them here: http://lo.ly/37 and learn about them.. http://bit.ly/XaVtUabout 15 hours ago from twitterfeed

        

15. 

    theikidsblog@coolcatteacher – you're talking about a QR code. You can create them here: http://lo.ly/37 and learn about them here – http://lo.ly/22about 15 hours ago from web

        

16. 

    npratt@robindcrow hey Robin try following: @kerrygallivan, @wfryer, @bethstill, kgustin, @debrennersmith, @coolcatteacher, @isteconnectsabout 15 hours ago from web in reply to robindcrow

        

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    leighmurrell@coolcatteacher hall davis talked about it in his cell phone preso at CUEabout 16 hours ago from TweetDeck in reply to coolcatteacher

        

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    qrpower@coolcatteacher re: personal barcode – I think this is the one you may be thinking of: http://qrcode.kaywa.com/ .. http://bit.ly/SYx9Iabout 17 hours ago from twitterfeed

        

20. 

    qrpower@coolcatteacher QR code there are several readers you can get for your phone http://bit.ly/P0ud0about 17 hours ago from twitterfeed

21. cwebbtech@coolcatteacher re: personal barcode – I think this is the one you may be thinking of: http://qrcode.kaywa.com/ (from @tscheeler).about 17 hours ago from TweetDeck in reply to coolcatteacher
        

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    coachburk@coolcatteacher My friend has an Android phone and he get take picture of the Barcode of things and it will show him prices elsewhereabout 17 hours ago from web in reply to coolcatteacher

        

23. 

    sfens@coolcatteacher I don't get how the bar code thing works, what would you be learning?about 17 hours ago from Netvibes

        

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    kathweaver@coolcatteacher Microsoft has a “tag” program that you can take a picture of a tag and it's linked to a contactabout 17 hours ago from TwInbox

        

25. 

    dragonsinger57@coolcatteacher QR code there are several readers you can get for your phoneabout 17 hours ago from iTweet in reply to coolcatteacher

        

26. 

    rec54@coolcatteacher Yeah, go to scanlife.com – you can put it on business cards or whatever and then take a pic with the ScanLife app for iPhoneabout 17 hours ago from web in reply to coolcatteacher

        

27. 

    njtechteacher@coolcatteacher Listen to @betchaboy podcast QR codes are interesting: http://bit.ly/ngH9sabout 17 hours ago from web in reply to coolcatteacher

        

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    Lilylauren@coolcatteacher http://www.scanlife.com/atl…about 17 hours ago from TweetDeck

        

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    cogdog@coolcatteacher QRcode generator http://qrcode.kaywa.com/about 17 hours ago from web in reply to coolcatteacher

        

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    damian613@coolcatteacher http://is.gd/19KtTabout 17 hours ago from web in reply to coolcatteacher

        

32. 

    damian613@coolcatteacher QR Codes?about 17 hours ago from web in reply to coolcatteacher

        

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    Lilylauren@coolcatteacher more info http://en.wikipedia.org/wik…about 17 hours ago from TweetDeck in reply to coolcatteacher

        

34. 

    Lilylauren@coolcatteacher hey they are EZ codes more info here http://bit.ly/9KyQF they are cool i knw a littleabout 18 hours ago from TweetDeck in reply to coolcatteacher

        

35. 

    alfredtwo@coolcatteacher http://www.microsoft.com/tag/ perhaps?

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