Simply Ranching

Ranching Like a 12-Year-Old includes links to some videos through QR codes. The quick response codes allow readers to scan and view videos illustrating the content on select pages of the paperback.

The following image from Ranching Like a 12-Year-Old shows a QR code at the bottom of p. 140:

Why and How?

Many have labeled Ranching Like a 12-Year-Old a “handbook for ranching“, since it aims to enhance the knowledge of both new and old ranchers, and others who might be interested in the field of ranching.

These videos are significant as there are different types of learners, such as auditory learners, visual learners, and learners who are a mix of both.

In the paperback, there are 10 videos linked through QR codes. QR Codes are machine-readable digital barcodes which, when scanned and read, generate links to a website or an application containing essential information relating to an item.

Each video contains useful ranching information on different topics such as, fencing, building gate handles, breaking up packed snow, night shedding, and more. Pages with embedded videos include, pp.60,62,67,71,92,140, 155, 158,160,180.

Accessing the Videos

Most smartphones support QR codes, however one might need to install an app.

To view the videos, one either scans the QR code using an app – most of which are free, or scans it using a device with an in-built QR code scanner. Android users often need to download a QR code scanning app such as, QR Droid, NeoReader, etc while iOS users usually don’t since most iOS devices have an in-built QR code scanner in their “Camera” app.

If downloading the app, simply open the app and place the device in front of the QR code, making sure that the camera screen is centered on the code itself and not on the surrounding background. Once the code has been scanned, a link to the video will pop-up on the browser. The same process applies when using an iOS device with an in-built scanner, except that “Scan QR Codes” would have to be activated in the camera settings.

The mixed-media format of Ranching Like a 12-Year-Old accommodates different types of ranchers and learners as readers have the option of acquiring some knowledge by reading parts of the book, and then acquiring the rest by watching the videos. In essence, its format gives room for flexible learning. Although, readers must bear in mind that one format can’t replace the other. Both the paperback and the videos are important towards understanding the concepts outlined in the book.