QR Codes

QR Codes are not only innovative, they can be so meaningful and useful for student learning, organization, sharing, and for many other uses.

The QR Code site that I have found to be my favorite so far is QRCode Monkey. The site is fairly easy to navigate. To create a QR code, the user can copy and paste the URL as prompted by the website. The user can then hit enter or click "Create QR Code" and the site will generate a QR code. The QR code can be downloaded as a .PNG, .PDF, or in some other formats. I usually just copy the QR code right from the website and paste it into a PowerPoint or Word document.

The QR code creator can add text, images, or other information then print it off. Students can scan the QR code using a QR code reader that can be found in any device's app stores, including Apple, Android, and Chromebooks!

QR codes can also be used to display text, pictures, or voice recordings that the teacher creates. I have used QR codes that I have created to reveal an answer on a learning worksheet allowing for self-assessment, I have done "Walk the Room" activities where students need to scan the QR codes to find an answer, or include audio components to a learning activity. For example, students scan a QR code and hear me say, "31. 31. Find 31." Then, on their corresponding worksheet, they write or circle the corresponding number.

Uploading your own digital content: Create your document in a word processing program. I like using PowerPoint because it allows you to duplicate pages and easily manipulate your text or graphics that you include. Upload it to a file saving site such as DropBox or Google Drive. Make sure the privacy is set so users with the link can view it. Use the resource's link and paste into QRCode Monkey.

Creating an audio recording, video, or picture from a smart device: Record it on your device and upload into a file saving site as noted above. Follow the same steps!

The Internet has some great QR code activities available for download or purchase. You can also find some great ideas that you could adapt into your own classroom. It may look overwhelming but it may be much easier than you may think!

QR Code Ideas:

• Online Story Read alouds: Create QR codes for book read alouds that you found online. Print them off with the title, author, and cover. Compile your QR codes in a booklet so students can scan, listen, and read along independently.
• Self Assessment: Include QR codes with your sight word worksheets. Students can write and read a sight word, then scan the QR code. They can see it written out and listen to you read the word. They can compare their work and pronounciation.
• Sharing Student Work: Students can share their creations. They can post their digital or paper creations through photos, Seesaw, or other online platforms. Use the link to print it out. Students can listen or view their classmate's work.
• Sharing Information: Create a QR code that leads users to your school website or contact information. This is a quick and easy way to share with families.
• Differentiation: Upload pictures of CVC words and create QR codes for each. You can then create differentiated worksheets or activities to accompany these QR codes. One activity could ask the student to scan a QR code and circle the letter it starts with. Another could ask the student to color the picture that starts with the same letter. Another could be having students write out the CVC word.
• Comprehension: Use a QR code that leads them to a nonfiction text about a plant's life cycle. Then have them scan another QR code that is a grade appropriate video about a plant's life cycles. Finally, they could scan another QR code that leads them to a song about a plant's life cycle. These QR codes could all be on the same page, making Internet navigation quick and convenient, and exposing students to different modes of learning.