Creating QR Codes for (Almost) Everything!

I’m sure you’ve seen QR Codes before – they often appear in advertising, on posters, or the packaging of products that we buy. The term “QR” is short for “Quick Response.” The (typically) square grid of blocks works similarly to a barcode and when you scan it with a reader, usually on your phone or tablet, the reader quickly redirects you to the location embedded in the code.

This can be really helpful in getting all students to the same webpage quickly, or can be a way to add a link to extra information on a poster, bulletin board, or other visual display. Teachers have found this to be especially helpful when directing students to a website with a long URL address to prevent them from getting lost.

Students with iPhones or iPads updated to iOS 11 or later have the function already built into the camera. All students need to do, then, is open the camera app and aim it at the QR Code. There are other apps, as well, for those who don't have the native functionality.

Ever since we introduced mobile devices to our students, I have loved using QR codes. Not only are QR codes easy to use, they are also easy to create. There are many free tools online that you can use. One of my favorites is QRStuff. This site allows you to create a QR Code for websites, YouTube videos, images, or plain text. As an alternative, some prefer the site QRDroid.

Additionally, for anyone with a Google account, any file in Google Drive can have its own link, like a website URL. Therefore, you could have a folder, file, video, or image in your Google Drive that you would want to direct your students to, and you could include that in the code just like you would for a website.

In addition to classroom applications, some functions of QR Codes can be helpful for clubs and activities. A few examples of these uses can be found below.

• Direct students to a particular website or online resource (document, slideshow, etc.).
• Links to videos or homework help for students to check their work.
• Clues for scavenger hunts, or links to websites for WebQuests, or stations for self-directed learning scattered around your room.
• Links to extra practice for early finishers.
• Differentiate tasks based on students’ needs.
• Links to resources, or additional information than can fit on a flyer, poster, or bulletin board.
• Put a QR code outside your classroom so that other people can learn about what goes on in there. Using http://snap.vu to create this QR code is good because you will get an email telling you how many times your QR code has been accessed.