What are QR codes? As defined, they are “two-dimensional bar codes that can contain any alphanumeric text and often feature URLs that direct users to sites where they can learn about an object or place [aka “mobile tagging”]” (“7 Things You Should Know About QR Codes,” Educause Learning Initiative). These QR codes have become popular worldwide in various industries: manufacturing, healthcare, life sciences, logistics, and academics (“QR Code® Essentials,” Denso: Inventor of the QR Code®). They can be found in other places, such as business cards, billboards, social networking sites, and blogs (“QR Code® Essentials,” Denso: Inventor of the QR Code®). QR codes could be downloaded on every mobile phone to enable the users to decode the information.
Millions of mobile phone users worldwide can access QR codes through 3G networks by utilizing their phone cameras to decipher these codes (“7 Things You Should Know About QR Codes,” Educause Learning Initiative). Once the user scans it, he/she could target the information for industrial or personal purposes. For instance, contact information from a business card (“7 Things You Should Know About QR Codes,” Educause Learning Initiative). They can use QR code-scanning applications from their mobile phone, such as iPhone QR Reader and RedLaser. This leads us to an example; I for one have the QR code-reading app on my phone, and I use it to look at the map and directions of the Accessible Education Center (AEC). With the usage of QR code-reading apps, anyone can receive an abundant amount of information by scanning the code.
As a student, I see five advantages of the QR code, which I benefit from on a daily basis. The first advantage of the QR code is that there is no need to take my computer/laptop out and search on a browser. The code has the complete data of a given URL link. The second advantage is saving plenty of time to receive my target link directly into my phone despite having slow internet access. The third advantage is saving excessive amounts of paper without picking up a brochure or map from a site and wasting it. The fourth advantage is somehow related to the previous advantage. Here, I do not need to print and carry actual store coupons when I am out and about shopping. Finally, it is easily accessible to make appointments with any institution within our community. These advantages take us to new levels of comfort in the future. I hope to see QR codes imprinted worldwide for the convenience of travelers and students.
References
“QR Code® Essentials.” Denso: Inventor of the QR Code®. DENSO ADC. 2011.
Web. 8 Sept. 2013. <http://www.nacs.org/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=D1FpVAvvJuo%3D&tabid=1426&mid=4802>
“7 Things You Should Know About QR Codes.” Educause Learning Initiative. Educause.
n.d. Web. 8 Sept. 2013. <http://net.educause.edu/ir/library/pdf/ELi7046.pdf>
Hi Mari,
ReplyDeleteGood post.
I did not know that you could use QR Codes as coupons electronically instead of having a printed out copy, so that will probably come in handy when I'm shopping in the future.
A suggestion I have for future posts it to use bullet points when you have something like the last paragraph so that people can easily see each of your points, although this format is not that bad as you write the actual number for the point you are on.
And I hope you continue to write good posts in the future.