These are some of the questions I have asked myself and others have asked me about QR codes.
Let’s tackle some of these questions today to see how “techie” we can make our students and our classrooms!
QR codes are short for Quick Response. You see them everywhere to advertise, even if you don’t know what they are called. I see them on out body wash, fast food cups, and everywhere in between.
Here is what a QR code looks like:
Now that you have seen at least one, you will see them everywhere!
{This one, by the way, leads you to my FREEBIE qu phonics sheets in case you want to know. Totally try it out!}
These codes are like bar codes on items and you need something to read them… like a register at a store does.
Smart phones or devices have FREE QR code reader apps you can download.
The app I have is called ‘QRReader’ but there are MANY MANY more. To find an app to use, search through your app store for a “free qr reader” and see what comes up. I would not buy a reader app.
Now that you have an app that reads the codes, you are all set.
Open the app. It uses the camera tool on your smart phone or device to look at the code.
Place the QR code inside the markings and let the scanner “read” the code.
In this case, the code above took you to a phonics sheets, a pdf file.
In other cases, it will take you to a website or another destination.
So when you see these codes on “things, ” test them out.
Here is where we get creative.
I have some ideas on how to use these codes, but honestly we are just starting to scratching the surface on how to use these in the classroom.
My example above took you straight to my phonics sheets, just like I take my students directly to their phonics sheets to do them on their ipads. There is no way to mess it up when you send them directly where you want them to go.
I also make QR codes for books from YouTube links I want to listen to or watch. They can scan the code and it takes them to THAT EXACT link. BINGO!
Let’s try it out…
Here is a different QR code.
This one will take you to a YouTube video from Have Fun Teaching on the letter Qq.
You can also use these codes as a way to self check themselves. WHAT? Really? HOW?
Ummm… Yeah!
Here is an example I made for you guys to see.
I created a new Secret Code Words set using fry words 101-200.
I made two sets of codes for your kids to break… one regular and another with QR codes.
Students use the code breaker sheet to break the code and make a sight words… then they can check their own work by scanning the code with a smart phone or device. ( I use iPods.)
First, they are super cool and super fun! Your kids will work harder and faster KNOWING they get to check their own work.
Second, why not give your students a tool to check their own work and allows them to use technology!?!
Third, why not in general! It is an easy way to lead them directly where you want them to go.
(Esp if someone else is going to do all the hard work for you!)
Here is my new pack that has both regular and QR codes card sets.
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| here on TN, here on TpT |
So… here is the question… HOW DO YOU USE OR WANT TO USE QR CODES IN YOUR CLASSROOM? I would love to see examples as well.
Are they worth the effort to start including them in the packs I make?
(Mind you it takes me a few hours to add them to each pack, but if you dig it, I can swing it.)
I LOVE how you broke this post down-it was so easy to follow! I have been working with my first graders on QR codes too and they simply love them! Thanks for explaining so much in this post in is such a clear way-it is greatly appreciated!
Amanda
Learning to the Core
Thank you SO much for this post Mary! I have never really thought of using QR codes with my class…. we have a set of ipads in the room so I am definitely going to download an app and start trying this out! You have inspired me to give it a go… thank you 🙂
Jess
Early Years Fun
The first QR code takes me to dropbox and it gives me a message that the file has been moved or deleted???
When I scan it, I go to a dropbox file with a pdf like it is suppose to… odd… not sure what is going on with it. Can you try it again?
My goal is to use QR codes in my classroom before the end of the year. We have one iPad, so the idea of using it as a self check is a great idea 🙂 Thank you for sharing
Thank you so much for all this information! It really helped me to understand qr codes better. 🙂
Lori
Conversations in Literacy
Thanks for the info. I just attended a class on using QR codes in the classroom. My goal is to try and start adding them to my school webpage for parents to go to specified videos, etc. on the topics we are studying.
I have a "space nut". A child who LOVES space things. I have a qr code posted on the wall in my room that takes him to the web site apod.com. It is a site sponsored by NASA that puts up a new pic and blurb everyday. He goes and scans the code and looks at the pic and either reads the blurb himself or comes and asks us to read it. We are all happy and he is independent – learning new space things every day!
Love this post, thank you! 🙂
Sarah
The Eager Teacher
Miss Eager//Create & Inspire
A Special Sparkle
I love this post! The first QR code above takes me to a PDF on Dropbox. What do your kids do with it then? Are they able to write on it some way with a tool? Thanks!!
I use qr codes as part of my behaviour management system, with a qr code lucky dip to determine a reward for good behaviour