Have you seen these around lately?
If you haven't seen these, after you read this, you'll start to see them everywhere you go.
This is a QR or Quick Response Code. Simply, put it is a 3D barcode. It's a much more cosmopolitan version of the barcode on your Deer Park water bottle . QR Codes are popping up everywhere and are gaining popularity in the 21st century classroom. So, I spent some of my summer reading blogs and searching for resources to implement QR codes into our lessons to spice things up a bit. Here's what I found:
First a video.
You'll need a reader installed on your phone. Most of the apps are free.
The Top QR Code Readers for iPhone are:
1. QR Reader for iPhone
2. QR Scanner
3. i-nigma 4
The Top QR Code Readers for Android are:
1. QR Droid (This is the one I use. Works great!)
2. QuickMark QR Code Reader
3. Barcode Generator/Reader
There are other apps too for non-smartphones. Just do a Google search for your phone and "qr code reader" and you should come up with something.
Overall, you need a device that has a camera so you can scan or take a picture of the code, a program to do the decoding and web access (if the code is a url) to see where the code takes you. This limits you to cell phones and the new iPod Touch.
Why A QR Code:
Because QR Codes can contain up to 4000 characters of information you can put a ton of information in just one code. For example, it could be something as simple as a web address. So if you scan the code at the top of this post you will get the address for my blog. QR codes are also beginning to appear on business cards because, again, they can contain lots more information. But by far their most popular use is for web addresses.
One idea for use in the classroom (I will have more below) that comes to mind is books. When I was in the classroom kids would go to the library and literally judge a book by its cover. But think about if you threw in a QR code on the front cover. The students can scan and read a book review written by a student from last year or even watch a video trailer of the book that a student created as part of a project. All of that information contained in a small black and white square on the cover of the book.
Pretty cool huh?
Creating QR Codes:
Easy as (insert something you think is easy here). There are lots of different websites that will allow you to make QR codes. One of my favorite is from Kaywa. Simply drop in the website you want the user to be directed to (or other information like general text, phone number, or SMS message) click Generate and BANG! A QR Code you can embed or print anywhere.
More Ideas For Education:
I have been saving several websites as they come across on Twitter. There are tons of great information out there on QR codes in Education. Here is just a sampling.
Interesting Ways To Use QR Codes In The Classroom-This presentation, started by the amazing Tom Barrett, has over 28 ways to use QR Codes in the classroom. Best thing here? If you come up with a different way in the presentation, you can add your idea.
Using QR Codes To Tell A Story- A post just the other day had several ideas on how students can create and use QR Codes to tell stories. Lots of lesson ideas and more QR Code resources here.
Using QR Codes In Student Projects-The ladies over at Simple K12 wrote a post about using QR Codes in the classroom and give some quick examples.
Take some time and read up on some of this stuff. Even if you don't have the devices for students use it is still worth knowing about.
Or maybe your students have cell phones you could sneak and use for a lesson.
(Have more ideas or information on QR Codes. Leave it in the comments below. )
Check out this quick video for inspiration! Teachers and students in ALL content areas are using QR Codes!
