Using QR Codes in the Classroom

In my last post I wrote about how to create and read QR Codes. In this post I will suggest a few ways to use QR Codes in your class. As always with technology we focus on the learning first not the tool. 

Example 1: Scavenger Hunt en Francais.

A french teacher is using QR codes in her class. The learning objective is around students reading for understanding. The teacher creates a series of QR codes and links them to instructions written in french. The QR codes and instructions create a series of "paths" the students follow to complete the scavenger hunt. There are different "paths" depending which QR code is scanned first so no all students are following the same path. Once the students have tried a few of the scavenger hunts, they are asked to create their own scavenger hunts in groups using QR codes. These are then shared with other students.

Example 2: Science Bridge Building Fair. 

Students in a science class use QR codes as part of their Bridge Building Fair. Students are learning about forces acting on structures. Before the Bridge Building Fair, students work in groups to build and test bridges to learn about the forces acting on them. As they go through the process of building the bridges; videos, audio recordings, and notes are posted to a blog that captures each groups' learning. Students then create QR codes linked to their blogs. During Bridge Building Fair week, students put their bridges in the library with their QR codes attached. Other students, teachers, and parents visiting the fair can simply scan the QR code to get an in depth look at how the product was created and what was learned in during the process. 

Example 3: A New Technology is Delivered to the Classroom

The learning objective, in this case, is how to connect or used the device with existing devices in the classroom. A QR code is attached to the device. When it is scanned, a link to a web page is provided that gives step-by-step instructions, videos, documentation, and links to the help desk. 

Just three examples and I am sure you can think of many more.