When I heard Dr. Sean Smith from the University of Kansas speak at the recent National Down Syndrome Congress’s conference he talked about combining video modeling with QR codes. I got very excited about this and the possibilities of how it could be used with my son, Dylan.
You may have heard about the researched based strategy of Video Modeling. It’s a visual teaching method. A video is filmed of someone modeling a targeted skill. The person learning the targeted skill will watch the video and follow the steps shown in the video.
Many students who are visual learners have benefited from using Video Modeling. When it is combined with QR codes, it has even a more beneficial impact!
Dr. Smith gave the example of helping a person learn to do his or her own laundry independently. The idea is to have someone video a person doing all the steps of washing clothes – from turning the washer on, adding detergent, putting the clothes in, closing the cover to the washer, etc.
The video is then uploaded to a computer and edits are made to make sure the video clearly shows each specific step of the process. There are free video editing tools, such as iMovie that are easy to use for this.
Next, you get the url of the video and type it in a website, such as QR Stuff. The url of the video is magically turned into a QR code that you can print.
Finally, post the printed QR code by the washer and the next time your son or daughter needs to wash clothes they can scan the QR code with a cell phone or tablet. The video of the step-by-step directions for using the washer comes up and they can watch it and follow the video directions.
Now, in case you’re thinking this sounds like a lot of work to do, making a video, and making a QR code, stop for a minute. Think of how much work it is to stand by your child each week and help them do their laundry.
With the magic of combining video modeling with QR codes you child doesn’t have to listen to you nag him/her about how to wash their clothes. Instead, you child can easily pull up the video whenever they want to do their laundry – watch it all the way through, or pause it after each step so they can follow along.
When you combine video modeling with QR codes you are helping your child be more independent with any task that requires multiple steps.
Our son, Dylan starts work next week at a Red Robin restaurant near his home. I think this strategy of using video modeling with QR codes is an awesome way for him to learn the variety of jobs he’ll be doing there. There is an universal supply of possibilities for how video modeling and QR codes can help our children.
What ideas do you have?
If you’re excited to get started in the land of QR Codes, click here to get a handy-dandy cheat sheet. It will help you learn how to scan QR codes and even make your own!
Please know, if you have questions about the support your child is or isn’t getting at school, just hit Reply to this email and I’ll respond.
And as always, I’m also available for free 30-minute phone strategy session (no strings attached). Just email me at Charmaine@cspeda.com and we’ll set up a time to talk.Take care,
