League Innovations 2012

1. League Innovations2012 March 5, 2012

2. QR Codes: The Hottest Way to Engage Students

3. Agenda • About Lone Star College System • Overview of QR codes • Current QR code statistics • Lone Star College’s QR Project • Planning and Implementation • Locations & Ideas • Success and Challenges • Future Plans

4. About Lone Star College System Lone Star College System (LSCS) is a publicly funded, two-year, community college, system serving the northern portions of the Greater Houston, Texas area. With more than 75,000 students in credit classes for spring 2012 and a total enrollment of more than 95,000, Lone Star College System is the largest institution of higher education in the Houston area, and the fastest-growing community college system in Texas. • 7,000 Employees • Top 100 Associate Degree Producer • 16th Nationally • 1st in Texas • Six College Campuses • Eight Satellite Centers • Two University Centers

5. Overview of QR codes: The basics What is a QR code? • QR codes or Quick Response Codes are two dimensional bar codes. • They were originally used to track parts during vehicle manufacturing. • They are used many areas like magazine ads, business cards, TV commercials, movie posters, mailers, and store fronts. • QR codes can be used to provide more information on a product via a mobile site, V-Card information that automatically puts your contact information into a cell phone, compose a text message or e-mail and to link to an app in the app store or marketplace.

6. Overview of QR codes: The basics • QR code usage benefits: • QR codes give us a unique opportunity to communicate with visitors immediately and with pinpoint accuracy. When users scan the code, we know a few things… We know where they are and we know that they are curious about a product or service. • QR codes give us the ability to quickly and conveniently reach mobile users. • QR codes are being used in advertising and other marketing campaigns.

7. QR code usage (industry) Many companies are using QR codes in marketing to promote products and create awareness of their brand. QR codes are free to produce and use and can provide the company unique data on potential customers

8. QR Codes usage (higher education) News & Events Student Recruitment Transportation Library services/research *College are also using it to aid with orientation, placing these on t-shirts, building sites for application and registration. Orientation

9. Promising QR Growth There was an increase of 4500% in QR Code scans in 2011 *http://www.qrcodepress.com/research-and-markets-report-shows-4500-growth-in-qr-code-scans-in-2011/855658/

10. QR code statistics General Demographics Over 53% of QR users fit in the traditional college student’s age group.

11. QR code statistics Sources of QR Codes Almost 50% scan from a printed source.

12. QR Usage by location Top ten cities mainly US Over 50% usage in US http://www.youscan.me/blog/statistics/qr-code-stats-for-2011/

13. QR code statistics • comScore Study, June 2011 • Over 14 million Americans have scanned a QR code. • This is roughly 1 in 5 smartphone users or 6.2% of mobile users • Over 60% of the scanners were male • Over 53% were ages 18 to 34 • Source: http://www.comscore.com/Press_Events/Press_Releases/2011/8/14_Million_Americans_Scanned_QR_or_Bar_Codes_on_their_Mobile_Phones_in_June_2011

14. QR code statistics for college students Archival.com conducted a small survey of 534 college students and QR code usage and found the following results: 81% of students owned a smartphone 80% of students had previously seen a QR code 21% of students successfully scanned our QR code example. 75% of students said they are “Not Likely” to scan a QR code in the future. QR codes do enjoy a high-level of awareness among college students yet only a fraction (21%) could properly scan and activate the code. Source: http://www.archrival.com/ideas/13/qr-codes-go-to-college

15. QR code statistics for college students Why the disconnect? Students struggle with the process like downloading or using a third party app. Many mistakenly assumed it could be activated with their camera. These are several barriers to overcome when incorporating QR codes into any strategy that targets students. Educating students how to scan QR codes and offering incentives, discounts, or games as proven to offer the most success to overcoming these barriers. Source: http://www.archrival.com/ideas/13/qr-codes-go-to-college

16. The dark side of QR codes • Epic fails can be seen with poor placement of QR codes • Placement on billboards • Placement in locations with no wifi or cell data • Subways • Airplanes • Underground tunnels and locations • Deep within public buildings with limited wifi • Can be used for malicious intent • Infected QR code could download app to track usage, send sms • messages, read data stored on your phone

17. Clever uses of QR codes • Animated art • Animated tattoos • Paying for coffee • Purchasing items seen in ads • or in virtual store http://vimeo.com/35760525

18. Lone Star QR code project (Planning & Implementation) • OVERVIEW & CHARGE: Lone Star College made the decision to use limited resources on this effort and pilot this at one campus location. LSC-UP was selected as it is our newest and smallest populated campus that has the least amount of entry points and buildings. • PLANNING – 3 months • Set goals, decide total number and where locations would receive QR codes • Collaborated with various departments to see what key elements and messages they wanted to communicate to students. • Talk to campus businesses to provide coupons or discounts. • IMPLEMENTATION – 2 months • Collaborated with facilities department to post your signs, brochures etc. • Worked with PR team to create collateral for the QR codes. Both print and digital designs. QR codes only work if you can see them. • Worked with development team to create the mobile where QR codes will take visitors. • Track your results. Analytics are a critical tool in web development and can tell you which tactics are working and which are not, enabling you to pinpoint your work effort. • Started with 5 locations and added 4 more within 3 months.

19. Lone Star QR code project (usage) Lone Star College uses QR codes in a pilot project at one campus location. Lone Star is connecting a physical location to a mobile-specific site. This site connects students to specific information, services, offers and incentives. We also use them on our Digital Messaging Monitors to promote programs and apps. In this case we have a QR code so mobile users can download an app that lets them check in at different locations around campus.

20. How does Lone Star use QR codes? Lone Star College-University Park is a large but compact campus. Signs are posted in the parking garage with a QR code which allows guests to view a map of our campus with key locations noted to make them easier to find. Map/Parking Garage = QR Code site

21. Lone Star QR code project (usage) Lone Star placed special markers at identified physical locations around campus. Locations are typically areas with high traffic levels or areas that offer key services. After scanning the QR code, the student is taken to the mobile site and given the information, offer or incentive. We also promote social networking geo-locating sites like Facebook, foursquare and Google Places so students can check in and leave tips or comments to other visitors.

22. Lone Star QR code project (usage) We used our portal to promote the physical presence QR campaign for only students at LSC-UP. Our portal is used by our faculty, staff and students to do the majority of their online interactions with Lone Star College.

23. Lone Star QR code project (usage) Example: This provides an example of one of Lone Star’s QR physical code locations and what the user would see if checking in with four square.

24. Leveraged Use: Combine QR with geo-location apps • QR codes can be pointed to a page that connects with Facebook, • Foursquare and other popular social networking sites • Foursquare Statistics • Over 15 millions users • 3400% growth in check ins in 2010 • 2 million check-ins per day • Average users checks in 3-4 times per day • *Source: http://blog.foursquare.com/2011/01/24/2010infographic/ • Future growth in geo-location apps • SXSW Conf. 2012 features up and coming • Software including several ambient location/social networking apps • (i.e. connect with friends automatically, will auto check in for you • – like Highlig.ht or Ban.jo)

25. Lone Star College QR statistics (pilot site)

26. Lone Star College QR statistics (pilot site)

27. Next generation of QR at Lone Star College • Future Goals • Push students sign up for weather or campus emergency alerts (Summer 2012) • Expand Poster locations at pilot campus from 9 to18 (Dec. 2012) • Application and Registration promotion and mobile sites (Dec. 2012) • Expand pilot program to all other campuses (Summer 2013) • Use in art galleries to provide additional information on the work and/or artist (Summer 2013) • Provide more opportunities for students to save money through promotions and discounts- ongoing

28. Questions/Answer Session Will answer any questions submitted via the QR code above first. Thanks!