Using QR codes
QR, or Quick Response codes, are barcodes that can be read using smartphones, tablets, laptops, and dedicated QR reading devices. A QR code is a simple a way to access a web address (URL). It is an image file that when scanned by a QR Code reader will access the URL it links to. QR codes link directly to articles, emails, websites, phone numbers, videos, and social media pages.
Creating and reading QR codes
Reading QR codes
Simply pointing your phone or tablet camera at a QR code will open its link. If not, you might need a QR code reader app. QR code readers are typically free.
- What is the best QR code reader? – a range of QR code readers for Android and iPhone/iPads.
Creating QR codes
Once you have found or created the content you want to share, there are several free code generating websites you can use to create a QR code.
Why use a QR code?
"At their best, QR codes can expand the learning experience and provide authentic tasks that take place in real-world settings."
Rikala, J. & and Kankaanranta, M. (2014) Blending classroom teaching and learning with QR codes
QR codes are an innovative way to provide a connection to a resource or information. They are easy to generate and can hold over 4000 characters of information.
Use QR codes to:
- enable students to create and share content with a wide audience for a purpose
- give students web addresses
- support independent learning
- provide an engaging and interactive learning experience
- provide information to parents and visitors.
QR codes in the classroom
Konini School teacher, Vicki Pimenta shares her approach to using the literacy progressions and raising student achievement in reading. The literacy progressions are recorded by students and are accessible through QR codes in the classroom. Vicki found students are more confident in speaking about what they know and their next learning steps.
Learning contexts for using QR codes
- Create an interactive library – students can:
- record book reviews and link to these with a QR code
- create audio books and link to these with a QR code
- Scavenger hunts or orienteering courses where each checkpoint is a QR code
- Put QR codes on school equipment with ideas/instructions for games
- Create a QR quiz – using a QR quiz generator, you can input questions and answers, and create a QR code for each.
Hillcrest Normal School librarian, Kim Bizo demonstrates and describes the process for making QR codes of book reviews with gifted and talented students.
Sally McDougall and her students explain their process for writing book reviews and creating QR codes to share them with the wider community. Using technologies as part of this learning process has resulted in improved written work, reading, oral communication, and confidence. Sally has found there’s that higher level of engagement because they’ve got an authentic audience.
US teacher, Karen Mensing shares how she uses QR codes in her junior classroom at TEDActive 2013.
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Improving written and oral language with multimedia
Sally McDougall and her students explain their process for writing book reviews and creating QR codes to share them with the wider community.
Sharing book reviews with QR codes
Hillcrest Normal School librarian, Kim Bizo demonstrates and describes the process for making QR codes of book reviews with gifted and talented students.
Reading goals supported by QR codes
Konini School teacher, Vicki Pimenta shares her approach to using the literacy progressions and raising student achievement in reading.
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Resources
This flyer from Kia Takatū a-Matihiko shows how you can make the most of a teaching opportunity that focuses on Computational Thinking.
Using QR codes in the classroom to enhance learning
A range of reasons for using QR codes and practical ideas with links to code creators and readers, clearly explained and illustrated in this blog post.
Links to QR code readers and creators and lots of practical ideas for their use in the classroom from Kathy Schrock's website.
40 Interesting ways to use QR codes in the classroom
A crowd sourced PowerPoint.
Teaching young children to scan QR codes
A blog post with practical suggestions and short videos on using QR codes with young children.
50 QR code resources for the classroom
Links to articles, tutorials, and lesson plans designed to help educators use QR codes.
How to set up a QR code treasure hunt
Three steps describing how to setup a QR code treasure hunt using QR treasure hunt generator .
Twelve ideas for teaching with QR codes
Short, clearly explained ideas for using QR codes with older students are outlined in the Edutopia blog post.
Creating and using QR codes in the classroom
YouTube clip demonstrating how to create a QR code using Goo.gl (Google's own URL shortener) and qrstuff.com. Both sites are good for different uses, which are illustrated in the video.
The physical educator – Skill posters for mastery
PE skills posters for download with QR codes on them.
10 Exciting QR Code Classroom Activity Ideas
All of the activities can be used during small group rotations with whatever number of tablets you might have access to
