Fun With QR Codes

You've seen them around - those little pixel-y squares on posters, brochures, and tags. They're QR (quick response) codes, and they offer an easy way to link to information on the web. One of my projects this summer is to work QR codes into some of my teaching materials, so I thought I'd share some of the ideas I have.

First of all, a little 101 on generating and scanning QR codes. There are many free apps for both idevices and Android that will create and scan QR codes. For creating codes, though, I like to use a free Google tool - the Google URL shortener (find it by typing goo.gl into your browser). Edgalaxy.com has a great video tutorial on creating QR codes with this tool - scan the QR code above to go there. Lifehacker also has instructions for a variation on this technique - scan the code to the right for this page.

QR codes can be scanned using an app such as QR Code Reader by Scan or QR Code Reader from Kaywa. I've tried several of the free apps, and they all work well. The apps I've tried all work basically the same way - when you open the app, you'll see a camera window similar to your phone's camera app. With most apps, you need only scan the QR code with the camera (sometimes you need to tap to focus; some apps do this automatically) and the app will open the site linked in the code. It's that easy. You can scan codes from a computer screen or printed on paper.

One thing I've already done with QR codes is add them to my contact card. I created business cards with information on my blog, website, and YouTube channel - the URLs are printed out on the front of the card, but on the back I've added QR codes that link to my blog and website.

My next project is to add QR codes to my class handouts. I often ask students to watch YouTube videos or complete an online activity as part of their homework; other times, I direct students to additional resources that will help them understand class material or complete class projects. Rather than giving students an address that they have to retype correctly or providing them with a link on our class Moodle page (which requires them to navigate to Moodle, log in, and then follow the link), I can now print a QR code on a class handout for students to scan. I haven't tried this yet, but I'm pretty sure that I could also project a QR code in the classroom for students to scan during class. I know that I'll still have to provide more "traditional" links to content as not all students have smartphones, but I think that QR codes will make life easier for a majority of my students.

I'm just getting started with this, but I'm working on other ideas for using QR codes in class. Have you used QR codes in the classroom? Have any fantastic ideas to share? Share your experiences and ideas in the comments section below.