QR Codes and Multimedia Principle
This week I decided to discuss how QR codes are having an
impact on the world of visual literacy. Since
I discovered QR codes I have been completely fascinated by the possibilities of
these simple squares. It seems they are
ever changing and have the ability to provide more information in a simple step
then we ever imagined.
QR codes are being placed on just about everything in
today’s society. These codes provide a
plethora of information with just a simple click. QR codes not only provide easy access to
information, but are also quickly becoming part of the “green” initiative,
eliminating the need for paper copies of certain materials (i.e. website
listings, contact information, instruction manuals, etc.).
I, myself, am a very visual/hands-on learner, but even the
images and text of simple directions can be difficult to comprehend. To me it is more beneficial to see an example
in real life as opposed to reading directions and seeing a black and white
representation.
IKEA furniture is well known for the challenges that come
with assembling their furniture. In an
attempt to ease the difficulties of this process a company called Howcast has designed a how-to video that
plays when a QR code is scanned.
Check out this video from Mashable.com and see what you
think.
Scan this code or go to the website directly to find more
how-to videos.
www.howcast.com
The movies that are created on the Howcast website are
perfect examples of the multimedia learning principle. “According to the
cognitive theory of multimedia learning (see figure above), meaningful learning
occurs when learners engage in appropriate verbal and visuospatial thinking.”[1] Just think off all the possible benefits that
would ensue if QR codes can be placed on products with “some assembly
required”. The audio and visual
narration would prove to be more helpful than current models (that is, watching
a movie on how to assemble something step-by-step is much more beneficial than
reading directions and trying to figure them out with the picture).
Would a QR code on a product like this allow you to
comprehend directions better? Should
companies invest time and money into creating videos and QR codes for their
products?
Mayer, R. (2002). Cognitive theory and the design of
multimedia instruction: an example of the two-way street between cognition and
instruction. New Directions for Teaching and Learning, 89(89),
61.
I am also one of those hands-on people! I think I would comprehend the directions better if someone told me what to do while I am looking at the image. I am a multi-directional learner! See it, hear it, touch it!
ReplyDeleteI explored a few of the Howcast videos, and they are very cool. Videos serving as supplemental instructional materials can be extremely beneficial for learners in certain educational situations. Step-by-step instructions that are tedious, like those that describe how to assemble furniture, are often most effective via video delivery. Oftentimes I think that QR codes, which seem to be all the rage in schools now, themselves are credited for their ability to improve education in our technology-driven world. I think it’s important, however, to remember that these codes are merely innovative delivery methods for the multimedia to which they link. It is the multimedia itself, like the how-to Ikea videos, that ultimately transform the learner experience and satisfaction. Making an effective instructional video is not as simple as I originally thought it was until I began Dr. Ingram’s video production class. Now, whenever I see such a video, I have a newfound appreciation for all the work that goes into creating it. Videos offer so many more capabilities than 2D media does. They can be especially useful for training purposes, both in the workplace (i.e. repairing a computer) and at home (i.e. assembling Ikea furniture) because of their unique ability to explain/show processes in a spatial manner that can only be captured in a 3D format. I definitely think that many companies can, and will, benefit by integrating QR codes appropriately into the fabric of their businesses. An app similar to that which generates and reads QR codes is Aurasma, and if you want to check it out, go here: www.aurasma.com. Pretty cool stuff!
ReplyDeleteI think that videos help one group of learners, but the step by step directions appeal to others. I prefer having them in front of me and static so I can move myself through the instructions, rather than a video that plays and has to be paused every time I reach the next step. Having the option of both is appealing and plays to a wider range of users, but I hope printed directions never go away - especially with IKEA assemble it yourself furniture (from personal experience).
ReplyDeleteAs far as the impact on instructional design and visual literacy, no matter what kind of message you have on the other side of the QR code, you should always be analyzing your audience (which should be easy and largely determined by what the product is) and supplying them with whatever appropriate mediums that appeal to the largest range of learners and learning styles.
QR codes have been around for a while but I feel like they are gaining a lot of popularity recently (used one in my visual resume to link to my LinkedIn profile!). Upon returning to JMU this past fall I found QR codes on every HDPT bus stop sign which allows scanners to view the next arrival time and bus route for their stop.
ReplyDeleteThe opportunities for QR codes in instruction are apparent, but I agree with Cat regarding the audience analysis component and the appropriateness of integrating QR codes with certain products. If technology is not a familiar medium, relying on QR codes may be more trouble than help when instructing. My personal experiences with QR codes and instructional video (and the newfound appreciation via Dr. Ingram's class), I don't think QR codes to be most effective paired with video; however, linking to documents, images, webpages seem most useful. This is assuming that your audience owns a smartphone with a scanner app to begin with.
With each new gadget or app we must ask ourselves as designers: just because we can, should we? We need to be able to analyze our audience, our technology and software, and ourselves to assure that our own excitement does not impede instruction or learning.
I think QR codes are interesting an can be a very valuable way to distribute information. Going off the direction example for putting together IKEA furniture, many people learn in different ways as proven by the responses in this post. Some like the paper instructions others prefer videos. It would be neat if the QR codes provided both video tutorial and a pdf of step by step version. This way it could appeal to both types and be paperless which would be better for the environment.
ReplyDeleteAnother thing that I think is beneficial about QR codes is the ability to scan it while still in the store to find out the price or learn more about the product and read reviews. How many times to do you see something in the store and wonder if it is a good deal or if it is a quality product? Being able to quickly find this out can be beneficial. It gives the user the power to access information during the moment of need.
I often throw away or loose instructions so if I every have to go back and fix something it is either by memory or trial and error. As Raleigh already touched on, similar to QR codes is the idea of image/object recognition. Instead of using the QR code to trigger the smartphone to access content the object/image will trigger it. Imagine if all you had to do was point your smartphone at the IKEA table and it would pull up information and instructions about the table. This way if you moved 5 years later you would not have to look for the original instructions or packaging to find the QR code. This would not help you for in the store but it could be a neat addition to using a QR code.