QR Codes in the classroom

QR (quick response) codes are the latest way to engage students and integrate technology into the 21st Century Classroom. If you are thinking of integrating them into your lessons, here are a few ideas.

First things first: what are QR codes?

What are QR codes?

But: why would I use them?

Just a few ideas to get us started.

Next: how do you make QR codes?

Free QR code generator

Finally: How do students use QR codes?

Scan with iPad or iPhone, or android

LESSON PLANS for QR CODES:

1. One of the most popular uses of QR is to produce Scavenger Hunts. In these lessons, students use individual devices (or work in small groups with one device between them) and hunt around the school or school grounds for information. This type of lesson can be used for review, with each “station” posing a question that must be solved, to start a new unit with a “bang” or to get students on their feet during an otherwise stationary lesson. Once students have solved all of the questions, they return to the classroom. You can use a map of the school to guide students, or have each QR provide a hint to the next clue.

Click here for more ideas about QR Scavenger Hunts.

2. Worksheets: QR code worksheets can easily be generated to create deeper, more dynamic learning. Rather than creating two or three different lesson plans (one mainstream, one bonus activity, and one modified activity, for example), you may choose to produce a single worksheet that allows students to choose the level of engagement. For example, design a worksheet with the framework: Problem 1, Problem 2 and so forth, with questions becoming more difficult as they go on (this style of workbook can be seen in math resources, such as JumpMath).

Worksheets can also be designed to provide bonus activities, answer keys, and links to videos and websites that will help students complete their work:

3. Language and Literacy: if you are interested in using technology to increase students reading comprehension and vocabulary, there are several innovative ways to integrate QR codes. One method is to provide QR codes with reading comprehension questions in the actual books that are assigned to students. For example, while students are reading a literary circle novel, certain pages may be book marked with QR codes that ask students specific questions about the text (theme, plot, characterization, stetting), or provide side notes on difficult or interesting aspects of the novel (new vocabulary, concepts, etc). Another method is to provide a worksheet (as shown above) with QR codes pointing students to new ideas and concepts, or definitions to new words.

Another method may be to have students use QR codes instead of stick notes. Often teachers ask students to book mark and stick note their novels during reading, so that they can refer back to these notes later when doing a report or discussion. Students might read and work with a device that allows them to create their own QR codes in  place of these notes. One advantage to this is that students may find themselves doing more thorough research. A disadvantage is that they may become distracted while reading…

4. Math Class: create “math menus.” These booklets allow students to watch videos, play games or link to apps that will challenge a particular skill they are learning. These booklets can be placed in bonus activty bins for students who have completed their work, or integrated into daily lessons.

Click here or here for more information

5. Social Studies/History Class: create museum tours using QR codes. Codes allow students to access oral histories, photos and artifacts on a particular subject. These codes can be placed in textbooks or provided as worksheets. What is interesting is that your local archives, as well as museums around the world, have endless online resources. Many of them already have QR codes in place, within their exhibits, that you may be able to use.

Students may also wish to create their own museum within the classroom, with QR codes that guide other students, teachers and parents around their classroom.

Click here for an example of a self-guided exhibit tours using QR codes.

6. Science Class: what could be better than direct links to labs, scientists, and experiments that get students excited about science? One of my favorite uses of the QR code in science has been for complicated images, such as the periodic table. Note: there are some excellent Apps that provide similar help.

More and more, students are integrating QR codes into Science Fair projects, as well as posters for the classroom and hallway.

Click here for a great article on Science and QR codes.

7. Station Activities: a great way to create group work and self-checking activities is to implement QR work station activities.  Just as you would create typical work stations, add QR codes on laminated cards to provide additional support to students. Another method may be to provide visuals that require further “decoding,” such as maps

This teacher uses QR Codes for the “equity game,” a popular activity that challenges students to explore distribution of resources within a city, country or globally.

Here, students explore the environment to explore and share research for an ecology unit.

QR codes can also be used by students to sign out material:

or solve mysteries!

8. Book Reports: Students use the format of literature circles to form opinions, vocabulary and understanding of the themes and characterization of a novel. After completing their literature circles, students create book reports using multimedia (video, photos, voice, etc). These movies are uploaded and linked to a QR code. QR codes are then printed and placed within the back of the book they reviewed, allowing students to access book reviews from their classroom, and even their school library.

Click here or here for more information.

9. Flip Classrooms:  QR code learning can also be used with “flip classrooms” by providing students with guided learning outside the classroom, and Q&R work time within the classroom. As with a regular flip classroom, students use a classroom blog to learn a lesson (usually at home or in a specific learning block). Their goal is to gain information from a lecture, website or video (teacher generated or otherwise), just as a classroom lecture would instruct them. During class time, students would use the time to answer questions, complete worksheets and experiments, etc, under the guidance of the teacher. QR codes can be used for more comprehensive and accessible access to information; the major advantage being that links can be difficult to copy from a worksheet, or in providing direct information, so as to avoid “I couldn’t find it” conversations the following day.

These lessons scratch the surface of potential for integrating QR codes into the classroom. Check out Karen Mensing’s enthusiastic TED talk on the “Magic of QR codes” for more inspiration.

Forty Interesting Ways to Use QR Codes in the Classroom