QR+Codes+in+the+Classroom

=Using QR Codes in the Classroom=

My Thanks
... go out to Tina Coffey and Meg Swecker of Roanoke County Schools for sharing so many great resources with me at the recent VSTE conference this summer. Some of this information here also came from Mary Beth Hertz's article, [|"Using QR Codes in the Classroom."] And finally, another good blog post beginners will appreciate is Lisa Dubemard's, [|"What the heck is a QR code and why should I care?]

It's short for "Quick Response" and it is (usually) in the shape of a square. It looks like a bar code with black (or other colored) splotches instead of lines...like this:
 * So...what __is__ a QR code?**


 * You need 3 things to get started**.
 * a smartphone __or any mobile device with a camera__ (such as an iPad or even your laptop can be used if need be)
 * a QR code reader app
 * internet access

It's very easy. You launch the QR reader app, point your phone at the printed code and press scan... it reads it like a bar code reader. It then links you to a website, an audio file, a video, a document, a map, etc. You might think of it as “print-based hypertext links.”
 * Then what? **

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 * Black and White and Scanned All Over**


 * To get started, if you don't already have one, you will need to download a QR READER to your mobile device (phone or iPad.)** After you get more comfortable with QR codes, you may want to try out a couple other readers to find the one you like best. Of course, there are many more apps than I have listed here.

For the **Android** phone. Find them at "Google Play."
 * [|i-nigma]
 * [|Microsoft's TAG] -
 * [|QR Droid]
 * [|ShopSavvy] - one of the original Droid apps. Great for comparison shopping! Scan a product and you will be be presented with a list of local and online prices for that product.

For the **iPhone**,find them at the Apple iTunes "Apple Store."
 * [|QR Code Reader]
 * [|i-nigma]
 * [|Scanner]
 * [|Qrafter] (The FREE app reads QR codes. The PRO version ($2.99) will both read & generate QR codes.

So now that you have a QR reader, it's time to play with it!
Around the room, you will see several QR codes. Scan them to discover a video, audio file, map, document, etc. Record the answer to the questions related to each QR scan on your answer sheet. Then, we'll reconvene to discuss the possibilities QR codes have for education.

Some ways QR Codes can be used in the classroom with students:

 * An online video that students can watch on their own (at their own pace…ex- in PE - a how-to video taped to the wall)
 * Today’s homework
 * Book reviews (attach to back of library book)
 * An article in a newspaper for current events
 * An online quiz or poll
 * A simulation or game
 * A campus tour
 * An image or presentation
 * A scavenger hunt
 * A place for the students to write on a topic at hand (ex- art students tell or write about their artwork...create QR code to link to this)
 * A shared google doc where multiple students could contribute ideas

So how do I create my own QR codes?
To get started you will need a QR generator and your computer. __//These QR generators are online apps, so nothing to download. Just go to the website.//__

For the basic QR code, all of these are good.
 * QRStuff (create a colored QR code)
 * [|Unitag]
 * [|KAYWA QR Code]

Some other fun QR generators
 * [|TagMyDoc] - easy way to share a virtual copy of a document
 * [|QRHacker] - liven up your QR codes
 * [|QR Treasure Hunt (or quiz) Generator] - lots of possibilities with this one
 * [|QR Voice] - turn 100 characters into speech
 * [|Interactive Resume by Vimeo] - not that any of you are looking for a job right now but this is pretty cool


 * More links and videos to get your creative juices flowing!**
 * [|QR Codes and Ideas for Using them in the Classroom (Karen Ogen)] - Awesome presentation. Don't miss it.
 * QR Codes in the Classroom (THE Journal)
 * 12 Ideas for Teaching with QR Codes (Edutopia)
 * QR Codes in the Clasroom (Hopkins)
 * Titanic Project - this project I heard about at the VSTE conference I attended this summer.
 * [|QR Codes and Ideas for Using Them in the Classroom]
 * [|Why You ShouldStart Using QR Codes in Your Classroom]

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 * QR Codes in a Nevada Elementary School**

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 * Using QR in the Classroom**