Wednesday, January 16, 2013

10 QR Code Ideas

A QR Code or Quick Response Code is a method of easily sharing various information with people through the use of a QR Code Reader.  Using a Tablet or Phone camera, users scan a QR code and it will send users to a URL address that it is linked too.  There are several options for creating codes and reading codes.  I currently use the Kaywa Reader which has a QR Code Generator and a Reader App for both Apple devices and Android devices.  Below is an infographic that provides the history and statistics for QR Codes (Click to Enlarge)

Now that you have a Generator, Reader, and some background knowledge at your disposal, how can you use this service in your classroom?  When you create a QR Code you will need to copy and paste it to whatever you will be sharing with your students.  Below are some ideas.

1.) Create a "QR Code Corner" in your classroom and use this area to have QR Codes that lead to weekly or daily assignments that you post on the web or it could link to interesting facts, videos, stories, etc that you think students would be interested in.

2.) Place a QR Code on assignments that will lead students to websites that will provide further assistance or more information about a homework assignment that students will be working on.

3.) Place a QR Code on notes home to parents that will link to a webpage or classroom newsletter that will have more information for the parents.

4.) You can use a service like Tag My Doc that creates an add on for Microsoft products to automatically add a QR Code to your documents and make sharing those documents with students even easier.

5.) On an assignment, provide QR Codes that link to resources for students to confirm their answers.  Provide an amount of time for students to work on the assignment and then an amount of time to discover the answers.

6.) Print out QR codes for content related to information in a textbook, magazine, or book the students are reading.  Pass out the QR code and as students read the text, the QR code will take them to a supplemental video, article, picture that can be discussed.

7.) Gallery Walk is a teaching strategy that teachers can use to teach a desired content.  Use the strategy with QR codes for students to access the questions related to the activity. 

8.) When students are working on a project, require students to use QR Codes as a way to supplement the information in their presentation and then share the QR Codes with the classroom.  If students are using a web-based program to complete the project, create a "Project QR Code Handout" that has QR Codes for the students projects that can be handed out to the students.

9.) Create a QR Code Dictionary for critical vocabulary that students are doing in the classroom.  The QR Code will take students to the definition, examples, images, synonyms, etc.

10.) Place QR Codes all around a physical model (especially for science teachers) and each QR Code will take students to an explanation of the area.

For more information and ways to use QR Codes, check out the QR Codes in Education LiveBinder

Here is the QR Code for this Blog Post.

FREE SlideRocket EDU Accounts


If looking for an alternative presentation tool, Slide Rocket is an option.  Currently, as part of a "New Year's Resolution," the service is providing free full featured accounts for students, teachers, and other educators.  All you need to do is use your school email address and you can sign up HERE.

Slide Rocket has also partnered with Google Apps for Education and you can get the free account through them as well.  Google Chrome Web Store and Google Apps for Education are the two options.

10 Reasons to Love SlideRocket EDU in 2013

  1. SlideRocket is a fun, interactive way to create and share presentations
  2. Access your account from any computer, anywhere
  3. Post presentations on blogs and websites
  4. Share presentations with the world on Facebook and Twitter
  5. Groups and teams can work together on the same presentation
  6. Add videos, music and voice-overs to your presentation
  7. Create cool animations and transitions
  8. Store your photos and presentations in our library so others can use them too
  9. Add live Twitter feeds, polls and other interactive content to your slides
  10. View presentations with any browser, iPhone and iPad