Mrs. Plemons' Kindergarten

Bright Ideas for Little Learners

Elementary, Technology

You Oughta Know About Using QR Codes in the Classroom

It’s that time again! I’m linking up with the fabulous Jasmine McClain for November’s You Oughta Know Blog Hop.  This month I wanted to share ideas for using QR codes in the classroom.
Odds are you have seen these lovely digital codes somewhere by now…in a magazine, on a soda bottle, or even on TV. So what exactly is a QR Code? QR stands for Quick Response, and is similar to a bar code.  When you scan a QR code using your smart phone, ipad, or computer(with web cam) it links to an information source. This information can be in the form of text, videos or websites. 
So now how do you use these little funny looking codes? All you need to do is download a free QR code reader app for your device.  There are SO many out there and your device may already have one on it. Just search QR Code Reader in your app store.  Now you’re good to go! You can open the app and scan any QR code you find to access content.
So how do you create your own QR codes for classroom use? Again it is really easy! One way I like to use is the QR Code Generator website. Simply enter the text you would like to appear, or the web URL you would like to link and it creates a code.  
Then you can save the code as an image for future use, or print it out 
You can also use Google Docs to create multiple QR codes quickly. All you need to do is download this template. (Click use this template and it will open in your Google Drive)
Now you can enter your text, or URL and a Title or Description for yourself and the QR code will magically appear in the third column for you!
After you have the codes you need you can print them, cut them and place them wherever you need or use a snipping tool to copy the QR code image to place on any document you create.

There are seriously a million ways you can use these little gems, but here are just a few ideas to get you started!

1. Create a QR code with your contact info, print on small cards or magnets to distribute to parents at your back to school night, first day of school, or conferences.
2. Have students create video reviews or book trailers for school library books they have read.  Link the videos to a QR code and tape to the back of books for students to scan before choosing which book to read.
3. Create a book response or comprehension check.  Place the QR code inside book for students to complete as they read.
4. Create a scavenger hunt for students to learn new information.  Create QR codes that link to informational websites, videos, and text that you enter on a specific topic.
5. Add QR codes to homework with how to videos from websites such as Khan Academy or text notes that you enter to help when students are having trouble.
6. Use QR codes for directions at stations.  For younger students you could even create a video giving students instructions to follow.
7. Create QR codes for students to self check answers.
8. Add QR codes to assignments for extension activities for fast finishers.
9. Create a QR code listening center by linking to websites or videos of books being read aloud.

Here are a few examples of how I have used QR codes:

These pages are a part of my Apple Inquiry Unit.  Students learn to research to find information and self direct their learning with these webpages and videos.

I also included QR codes in my Interactive Alphabet Readers that link to Alphabet songs for students to practice each specific letter. Even if you don’t have smart devices in your classroom, these are great for students to take home and practice!
You can download the letter A reader here for FREE to try it out with your class.
Or check out the Bundles Here:

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23 Comments

Comments

  1. TheElementary MathManiac says: November 15, 2014 at 7:36 pm

    I had no idea I could create and save these in Google. Thanks for sharing!

    Tara
    The Math Maniac

    Reply
  2. Erin B. says: November 15, 2014 at 10:05 pm

    I love the idea of using QR codes in the classroom! I wish we had more devices available!

    ~Erin
    Mrs. Beattie's Classroom

    Reply
  3. Susan Efseaff says: November 15, 2014 at 10:18 pm

    Cute! Thanks for sharing this and your freebie! I think my kiddos would love this!
    Susan
    Friendly Froggies

    Reply
  4. Amanda Byerly says: November 15, 2014 at 10:21 pm

    Thanks for all the great ideas for using QR codes!
    Amanda
    The Take Home Teacher

    Reply
  5. Mrs. McClain says: November 15, 2014 at 11:45 pm

    Once I learned about QR codes a few years ago, I haven't stopped using them. There are so many possibilities with QR codes!! Thanks for sharing 🙂

    Jasmine
    Buzzing With Mrs. McClain

    Reply
  6. Mrs. W says: November 16, 2014 at 2:02 am

    I'll admit, I almost stopped reading because I have used QR codes frequently, but I am so glad I didn't! I had no idea there was a google template! It can't get much easier than this! Thanks!

    Reply
  7. Mrs. Plemons' Kindergarten says: November 16, 2014 at 3:00 am

    It is seriously my favorite time saving trick 🙂 Glad you can use it!

    Reply
  8. Mrs. Plemons' Kindergarten says: November 16, 2014 at 3:01 am

    Thanks for stopping by! I hope they LOVE it 🙂

    Reply
  9. Mrs. Plemons' Kindergarten says: November 16, 2014 at 3:02 am

    Thank you for checking out my post, and I hope the ideas are useful!

    Reply
  10. Mrs. Plemons' Kindergarten says: November 16, 2014 at 3:02 am

    Thanks for hosting this hop, I'm loving all the great ideas!

    Reply
  11. Mrs. Plemons' Kindergarten says: November 16, 2014 at 3:03 am

    Thanks for checking out my ideas, maybe you could use them more for homework/parent use 🙂

    Reply
  12. Mrs. Plemons' Kindergarten says: November 16, 2014 at 3:05 am

    OMG how I love that little template, it was a total game changer for me. I've started adding them to a lot more once I began to use it. It's so easy!

    Reply
  13. Lynda Williams says: November 16, 2014 at 7:39 pm

    I am glad you posted this. I have been really wanting to learn to do this. I started following you on bloglovin. Teaching Science With Lynda

    Reply
  14. Ashley Arthur says: November 16, 2014 at 8:22 pm

    I always use a QR generator, I never knew you could do it through Google Docs! Thanks for sharing.
    http://anchoredinlearning.blogspot.com/

    Reply
  15. Mrs. Plemons' Kindergarten says: November 17, 2014 at 12:29 am

    Thanks Lynda. I put off learning to do it forever, then I found out how easy it was and wished I'd learned sooner!

    Reply
  16. Mrs. Plemons' Kindergarten says: November 17, 2014 at 12:30 am

    Thanks for stopping by, I'm glad I could share something new with you!

    Reply
  17. Melissa Dailey says: November 17, 2014 at 12:34 am

    This comment has been removed by the author.

    Reply
  18. Melissa Dailey says: November 17, 2014 at 12:35 am

    I don't use QR codes with my kids but I really need to! I bet they would love them! Thanks for sharing!!

    <3 Melissa

    Reply
  19. Princess Netherly says: November 17, 2014 at 1:23 am

    I LOVE me some QR codes in the classroom! Thanks for sharing about Google Docs, I had no clue about that.
    Teaching, Love, Cupcakes

    Reply
  20. A LoveLi Class says: November 17, 2014 at 2:20 am

    What a great tutorial! I totally wish that my kids had iPads or iPhones to use this with =(

    A LoveLi Class

    Reply
  21. Fern Smith says: November 17, 2014 at 11:09 pm

    What a great tutorial, thank you for sharing it with our blog hop followers. 🙂
    ~Fern
    Fern Smith's Classroom Ideas!
    Fern Smith's Pinterest Boards!

    Reply
  22. Lori Booze says: November 19, 2014 at 8:14 pm

    Great post! I will HAVE to try the QR codes with Google Docs. Thanks!
    Lori

    Reply
  23. Hooo-Ray For Teaching! says: November 24, 2014 at 6:37 am

    I have nominated you for the Liebster Award!!! Come by my blog to see what to do next!!!

    Brianne
    Hooo-Ray For Teaching

    Reply

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