This past weekend, someone asked me how I would use QR codes in the classroom. I wanted to give him some suggestions and decided I would write a blog post about this. A year ago I did a presentation for the school district on this and showed some youtube examples too. Here is some ideas:
Book Reviews - video students reviewing books they have read and put it on your class website. Make a QR code for each video. Have these QR codes near the bookshelves and if a student is interested in the book, they can go to the video to find out how their classmates liked the book.
Scavenger Hunt Review - Have students scan the QR code to get a review question. When they get it right, the teacher gives them the location of the next QR code. (Like Amazing Race)
Self Checking - Students can do an assignment and then scan the QR code to see if their answers are correct.
Newsletters - A QR code can be embedded in a newsletter. When scanned it can bring the reader to the teacher’s web site, pictures of the class activity, or a Voicethread presentation by the students.
Vocabulary - A teacher puts a QR Code on vocabulary words and students can read the codes to study the names of items.
Science - Put a QR Code to identify things. Students can identify and check to see if they are right.
Math - Add QR codes to math worksheets with video tutorials of how to solve the problems
Writing - Create a "choose your own adventure" story that has individual QR Codes that need to be scanned in order to advance through the story.
Geocaching: Using a GPS place a series of markers around your school (recording their position). On each of the markers place a QR Code that contains a question. Students move around using the GPS to find the markers to therefore answer the questions and get the clue to the next marker.
Water Unit - Students scan a code and the class iPod. It gives them a message and they are thrown into a inquiry based investigation about water. The code tells them to start at the water fountain. When they arrive they find another QR Code that gives them a link to a website that has directions and information to complete a task using the water from the water fountain. Once that task is complete they scan another code that opens up the Maps App on their iPod and puts a dot on where they need to walk next. Using their map skills they learned in 3rd grade they navigate to the next spot which happens to be a tree on the playground. There they find a QR code taped to the tree. They scan it and their next mission is given to them…..etc.
Assessment - Testing Schedule - Put the final testing schedule in a QR Code so kids/parents can scan it and then have that information on their cell phone in their pocket.
Porfolio - Cover page for portfolio - students write one summary blog post including hyperlinks to everything done for that period of time. The cover page has a QR Code on it. Anyone can scan the code to get to the summary post including hyperlinks to everything done online
Here are more online resources about QR codes:
Do you have any other suggestions for using QR codes in the classroom? Please share!
Original image - QR code to Create, Connect, Collaborate