Ready, get set....GO!

Finally, after much thought and reflection I have decided on how I would like to embed a digital technology in DT teaching and learning. ( See MA assignment brief page.)Now that pretty much my whole foot is in the digital pond it is tempting to go completely nuts and set up various blogs, dropboxes, voting systems, wikispaces etc. However, bearing in mind my own level of skill such an approach could go horribly wrong and I could end up with an ostrich sized egg on my face. I need to be very focused if I am to secure some "early wins" and more importantly, help my students. For a full rationale of this task, see the separate rationale page.


I am going to produce a video library of practical demonstrations to help my pupils who have missed a lesson, lack confidence in their practical skills or simply cannot retain a set of instructions from one week to the next - a comment trait amongst 14 year olds!

The videos can be accessed via  a QR code displayed next to the relevant tool or piece of equipment and played on a smarthpone. The videos will also be available via a school host and on a workshop stand alone PC that will act as an "electronic buddy" metaphorically holding pupils' hands during the manufacturing process. QR codes are quite simply, really cool. Your smartphone becomes a magic wand as you wave it in the direciton of one of these things and it links you directly to a website, you don't even have to click on anything! Originally used in the Japanese car industry these quirky little patches of op art are popping up everywhere; on the sides of supermarket delivery vans, drinks cans and magazine articles. As every teacher knows, anything that is used in the real world as opposed to the parallel universe of one's school scores instant credibility amongst school children.





So, let the games begin......all I need know is an idiot's guide to QR codes.....anybody got one?







Images by Google.