You see them everywhere - those odd-looking black and white squares included in everything from advertisements in magazines to posters in store windows to bananas. That odd combination of pixels is actually information that can be displayed using your smartphone's browser. The code can contain a website, your contact information, a picture, link to a YouTube video and so much more.
It is easy to create your own. There are a couple of options available depending on your level of technology. The QR code scanner in the app store for the iPhone comes with an option to create your own code right on the phone. There are web sites for creating codes, too. Kaywa is a very simple one to use.
QR Codes are a great way to direct users to view simple information like your class website or a video from YouTube that you want them to watch. Go to that location and grab the url from the address bar (or in the case of YouTube videos, click the SHARE button and copy the url given there), and paste the url into the generator.
QR Codes are a great way to direct users to view simple information like your class website or a video from YouTube that you want them to watch. Go to that location and grab the url from the address bar (or in the case of YouTube videos, click the SHARE button and copy the url given there), and paste the url into the generator.
The code can now be copied or saved as an image and put in any number of different places. A few things that are important to know about QR codes: 1) The purpose of a QR Code is to direct a user to a location on the web when they are not currently sitting in front of a computer so putting one on your website is a bit of a waste. 2) Test the code with your smartphone before you post it anywhere. Use a QR scanner/reader - i-nigma is my favorite on my i-phone. 3) The longer the url, the more complicated the QR Code becomes which makes it look garbled. You may want to use a url shortener to make it more manageable and therefore a nicer looking code. Personal preference is for all things Google so try goo.gl, however bit.ly and tinyurl.com are also popular.
Ok, I realize we don’t have ipads or itouches or any such handheld smart tools (yet) for use at DDE, however, someday…
My favorite ideas for using QR codes in the classroom:
- QR code put on the sign on the door to the classroom that directs the user to either a class webpage, photograph, schedule, etc.
- QR Code scavenger hunt. A great to connect your subject to different areas of the school is a scavenger hunt. But, instead of simply finding a clue, the students find a QR code with it that directs them to a website to help them answer a specific question.
- QR Codes in books in the media center. The code could contain a link to the author's website, an Amazon book review, or a preview of the movie based on the book.
Here are some other resources for your consideration:
- QR Codes in Education Livebinder--by Steven W. Anderson
- QR Codes in the Library
- QR Codes T-Shirts
- QR Codes in the Classroom--Kathy Schrock
- Periodic Table of QR Codes
- QR Voice
I know I use these in my personal life, but this probably won't be one of my top educational strategies... yet! :~)
ReplyDeleteAmy F
I like these barcodes. They seem to be everywhere now. I have to agree with Amy. At this point, I use it more for personal use than work.
ReplyDeleteAmy K
The day I installed it on my phone(tuesday), I went to a rising 9th grade information session at GHHS and the science teachers had two on the door to a classroom so I was able to check it out and it worked. It said something like "see what the cool kids know!" and it linked to the teacher websites :)
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