What is a QR Code?
QR code stands for Quick Response code. QR codes can contain a variety of information from text, to video, to documents, and scanning the QR code unlocks the information for you and captures it on your phone. QR codes make the real world clickable!Here is a brief explanation of QR Codes by Common Craft.
QR Code Readers
In order to unlock the information in a QR code, you need a QR reader. There are many QR reader apps available for mobile devices. You can check the web and the app store for your mobile device for recommendations. I have been using the QR Reader for iPhone app for years. There may be newer and better apps available, but QR Reader seems to do what I need to do, so I am still using it.QR Code Generators
QR generators let you create your own QR codes. QR Code generators are available on the web on your computer and as mobile apps. I tend to generate my QR codes on the computer because I am often using them in handouts or presentations that I am creating on the computer. There are QR code generators that are free and many that have paid versions. Here are two generators that offer slightly different features that are free.- QR Code Generator is a simple QR Code generator that lets you include text, URL, structured contact information, or send a SMS/text.
- QR Code Monkey lets you change the color of your QR code and add an image to the middle of the QR code. For example, this QR code takes you to the Leadership Book Club podcast website.
How can you use QR codes?
There are hundreds of ways to use QR codes. One of my favorite uses of QR codes is with my PowerPoint slides when I give a presentation. On the last slide of the presentation, I will include a QR code with my contact information and a QR code with an electronic copy of the presentation. It saves me from emailing my contact information and the presentation to dozens of people after I get home!QR codes can also be used to support learning and the QR codes can be added to print media like posters, books, and handouts. I have even seen QR codes printed, cut out, and attached to "real life" objects. One of my favorite examples of QR codes in education is the Periodic Table of Videos created by Brady Haran (Periodic Videos). Each element on the periodic chart has been replaced with a QR code that leads to a video on the element!
Here are a few other ideas:
- Use QR codes for the answers in study materials. It is like having the answers in the back of the book, but makes it easier for students to try the problems before they look at the answers.
- With a display of student projects or products, post QR codes on each exhibit with the link to a video of the creator explaining their work.
- At the end of a chapter or document have a QR code with the link to the next document.
- Supplement handouts with QR codes to videos demonstrating the concept in the handout.
- Create a scavenger hunt for new students or employees to become familiar with their new work environment/campus and to team build with other new students/employees. Student/employees can scan a QR code that sends a text to the instructor so she knows each step they have accomplished in the scavenger hunt.
- Use a QR code on a poster to link to a document with more information (such as a program for a concert, a biography for a speaker, etc.)
- Use QR codes on an organizational chart with pictures or biographies of each person.
Here are resources with even more ideas on how to integrate QR codes into the classroom. Although these examples are primarily from K-12 education, there are ideas and inspiration for those of us who teach post-secondary and in a corporate setting.
QR Codes for Quick Student Engagement (Faculty Focus)
Four Ways to Use QR Codes to Enliven Your Learning Event (ATD)
One word of warning: Just as links take you websites, so can QR codes, which means there is the opportunity for malicious behavior. Apply the same caution and common sense to using unknown QR codes as you would to clicking on unknown links.
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