QR Codes in the Classroom. Mobile Learning | Q&A QR Codes in the Classroom Wyoming science teacher London Jenks not only allows mobile technologies in his classroom, but he's also learned how to maximize them as educational tools, tapping the devices for assessments, research, and even student scavenger hunts using QR codes.
By Bridget McCrea08/31/11 At a time when schools are banishing student-owned mobile devices from their classrooms--or, at least making sure the disruptive laptops, tablets, and phones are powered down class begins--London Jenks is taking a decidedly different tack. A science teacher at Hot Springs County High School in Thermopolis, WY, Jenks welcomes iPhone- and Android-toting students into his classes. A Google-certified educator who teaches earth science, physics, chemistry, and astronomy, Jenks explainedhis reasons for letting down the walls that so many other instructors have erected during this "mobile" age and told us how the strategy has helped him be more effective as a teacher.
QR Codes in the Classroom. Why You Should Start Using QR Codes In Your Classroom. I’ll admit QR codes were a bit of a mystery to me until recently. I’ve seen the funny little codes in magazines and advertisements, and I understood that if you had an app on your phone you could scan them and get…somewhere. Beyond that I didn’t give them much thought. However, it seems I’ve been reading about them everywhere recently and they really can have some practical uses – even in the classroom . Getting Started The first thing I did was get a free QR reader app for my iPhone – I got one called Qrafter . You don’t need an app or a mobile device to generate codes – you can make them for free online at many sites.
Then I decided that since those apps were free (and easy), I’d put them on my middle school students’ iPads – also easy. How Students Used QR Codes The first thing they did was use the reader on my code I’d put by the door. They had posted these short films on their blogs. Why Should You Try This? Online Qr Lab - QR Codes In Schools. QR codes refer to a special type of bar code that can contain a lot of information. This type of code includes many black and white squares arranged into a single square on a white background.
This code can contain several different types of data. It was first used in the automotive industry to track parts but of late QR codes have begun to be used in restaurants, stores, schools, and more. These codes can contain additional information that can supplement text and lessons. The student simply needs to scan the code, normally with a mobile phone that has the proper reading application. One particular advantage to using QR codes in schools is the possibility for better student and faculty interaction. Besides providing additional study information these codes can be used to direct students to web pages providing information on school policy, videos, school web pages and more. QR codes may also be utilized by parents to keep track of their students’ progress.
Internet Catalogue. QR Codes – What are they and how can I use them in my classroom? A QR Code is a type of barcode that is readable by dedicated QR barcode readers and camera telephones. The code consists of black modules arranged in a square pattern on a white background. The information encoded may be text, URL, or other data*. Like me, you may have seen these codes in newspapers and magazines, on promotional material, in the corner of posters and wondered what they were all about. A square that consists of black and white squares that looks like an out of focus pixilated image? What’s all that about? Make your own QR Code Scavenger Hunt! Today was the first day of school.
Ever. It was pretty epic. Since the students didn’t know where things were located in the building yet, I thought we would have some fun locating them with a QR code scavenger hunt. It was SO easy to do, I thought I would share the process here. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. *Below is my example of the QR code and website they were connected to. This was a really easy activity to prepare for from a teacher perspective. We used this hunt as a way for students to familiarize themselves with the layout of the new school but it would also be a great activity for a math scavenger hunt “Find an item that represents three times four”, or colors in art “This is the color you get when you mix yellow and blue”, or literature “find an object that represents this character in our novel”. Using QR codes to create educational posters.
I have been pondering how to use QR codes in the classroom.
My favorite use being to tape QR codes into old textbooks to make them relevant. The code pictured below goes to a YouTube video with directions on how to do those math problems. Note: I used a super sticky post it label so I wouldn’t damage my book and then taped the QR code on top of that. While brainstorming ways QR codes can be used in the classroom I started making posters.
I was thinking I can make some sort of visual that would make a nice info poster for any subject… which is when I thought it would be fun to make samples. Here is one for an English class, keep in mind these are just samples made by a math teacher. QR Codes In Education. 5 Real Ways To Use QR Codes In Education. QR codes… Disposable fad?
Or useful technology? Opinions on whether QR codes are of real value is a hotly debated topic. But regardless of polarized views on the technology, there are some teachers using QR codes in education in some very inventive and exciting ways. QR codes have been in use since 1994 when they were created to track vehicles during manufacturing. Growing in popularity in recent years with the explosion of camera equipped smart-phones, the codes are now being used to link real world objects with all sorts of online data and information.
Book Reviews One of the best ideas I have heard for using QR codes is in the school library. Taking this concept a step further, try getting students to create their own book reviews or trailers. QR Code Orienteering Now this one does require a reasonable amount of planning and work, but it is sure to pay off, in both student engagement and fun.