QR Creativity

This guest post comes from Sandi Dennis, Media and Instructional Technology Specialist at Fifth Avenue in the City of Schools of Decatur. We’ve all seen them- the little alien-ish QR (“Quick Response”) codes on packaging, products, displays, and even greeting cards. QR codes are basically barcodes that have embedded data—a web link, video, audio, graphic, or message. But have you put these codes to good use in your classroom?

Of course, you’ll need a mobile device such as an iPad that can read QR codes and a QR code reader program such as Red Laser, Kaywa or Qrafter.

A few QR Code ideas to spark your creativity for codes you (or students) generate at sites such as Snapvu, QR Stuff, or Delivr:

• Art Gallery - show steps to finished product using pictures or text
• Book reviews can be posted or put inside front cover of books
• “Business Cards” for students at school market day Centers or Learning Stations
• Check your work at the end of an assignment using a QR code with the answers
• Chirbit.com allows you to record your own audio and link to a previously recorded video
• Choose your own Assignment Choose your own story time with embedded videos
• Dropbox Link - files in your public folder can be linked Give students feedback on work you post by attaching a code to the work
• Green Your Classroom with less paper wasted
• Interactive displays and bulletin boards Interactive
• History Museums Interactive Science Experiments
• Language or foreign language practice
• Parents record motivational messages for students- post on bulletin board or tape to student’s desk
• Place codes in textbooks at appropriate places to extend content Portfolios
• Put codes next to items on your webpage so content can be captured and shared easily
• Qrvoice.net - turns text into digital speech (in numerous languages)
• Record a song for students to practice
• Record spelling or vocabulary words or definitions and post
• Rewards or Coupons for students or staff (scan to find out your prize)
• Scavenger hunts using QR codes as clues
• Secret Messages from teachers, the principal, or community members
• Send messages to parents in your voice or video via e-mail or your website
• Story Starters Student messages explaining their work- send home or post online or in classroom
• Students could use an app like “Voice Changer Plus” to read poems and in a variety of different voices- these can be recorded
• Tickets to Events Trivia Contests

For advanced QR users- QR codes can be automatically generated within a Google Spreadsheet- just Google this topic for instructions.

We are well into the year 2012. Have you actually tried creating or using a QR code in your classroom? Brainstorm ways to use codes with your students… they might surprise you!

To learn more about QR codes, click here or visit Visual.ly.

Guest blogger Sandi Dennis is the Media and Instructional Technology Specialist at The 4/5 Academy at Fifth Avenue in the City Schools of Decatur. Her personal ed. tech blog is www.teachertechnotopia.com.