QR codes

 

QR codes, they are everywhere.  We see them on signs and flyers, in stores and restaurants, and on the products we buy.  We are even seeing them in our classrooms!  QR codes, short for quick-response codes, connect to online content through a URL (web address).  Teachers and students are finding many creative and meaningful ways to use QR codes in school and at home.  Here are a few suggestions on how to use QR codes with your students:

1. Interactive Handout - These are great for when you want to introduce or review a topic or unit of study.  Create a handout with links to videos, images, music, text and  any other online resources related to the topic.  Students can scan the QR code to access the online content, then complete activities using the online content linked in the QR codes.  Check out this interactive handout created earlier this year as part of a fifth grade unit on Native Americans.  Native American student handout

2. Self-Check, Reflect, Extend - Attach a QR code to the bottom of a worksheet with the answer key and have students scan the code to check their work.  Students get immediate feedback on their work.  For those students who finish early, create a QR code with a reflection or extension question or activity.

3. Video Tutorial - This is especially helpful when students are learning a new concept or skill.  Including a QR code that links to a video tutorial allow students to revisit that lesson, time and again, at their own pace.  Attaching QR codes to homework assignments provides not only the student but also the parents with an explanation of the content in the lesson.  This is also helpful for students who are absent or not in the classroom when the lesson is presented.  Teachers can create their own video tutorials using software like PowerPoint, Prezi, Educreation and Showme.  There is also a wealth of video tutorials available online.  For great educational video tutorials, check out Khan Academy, kidsmathtv, and BrainPop.  Consider also using the Pearson enVision Math videos and Grammar Jammer Reading Language Arts videos that are a part of a Math and Reading programs.  (Students can access Pearson videos but will need their Pearson account username and password.)

4. Scavenger Hunt - Using a series of QR codes that link one code to the next, students can answer a series of questions or complete a series of activities.  If this sounds time consuming to create, fear not.  There are plenty of QR code scavenger hunts and templates already available online.  Many of these are editable, allowing you to customize the hunt to your students' needs.

5. Interactive Bulletin Board - These are great to use when creating a bulletin board that will focus on a topic or to highlight student work.  When creating a unit or theme-focused bulletin board, include QR codes that link videos, images, and other online content that relates to the topic.  Encourage students to find online content and create their own QR codes to add to the bulletin board.  Add QR codes to vocabulary cards and create a link to the definition, pronunciation, image, or other information relative to the vocabulary term.  Students can showcase technology-based projects by making a QR code that link to their completed project.  QR codes can then be posted on the bulletin board for students to scan and view.

QR code ready-made activities
There is no need to reinvent the wheel on this one...especially since there are plenty of QR code activities already created and available at little or no cost to you.  Some activities might be exactly what you are looking for while others could serve as a good base for you to create the QR code activity that best suits your students' needs.  Check out these online resources for QR code activities:
http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/ - Search "QR codes".  There are over 5000 free QR code lessons last time I checked and many of them really fantastic.  If you download something from Teachers Pay Teachers and use it, please remember to go back and rate the activity.  :)
http://www.pinterest.com/ - Search "QR codes in the classroom", create your own board and start pinning ideas!

For additional ideas on how to use QR codes in the classroom, check out these online resources:
http://www.schrockguide.net/qr-codes-in-the-classroom.html - look at Teacher Suggested Ideas at the bottom of the page
http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/top-teaching/2012/09/ways-use-qr-codes-education

QR code generators
There is a large variety of QR code generators out there.  I found these two to be very easy to use.
https://www.the-qrcode-generator.com/
http://www.qrstuff.com/

QR code scanners
Depending on what device you use to scan the QR code, different scanners work better on some devices than on others.  The students use I-nigma but I also found the QR code reader by Scan to be equally good.

I-nigma QR code scanner
QR Code Reader by Scan

Do you use QR codes with your students?  Please share your experience, suggestions, comments and recommendations in the comment section.  :)