QR Codes (Quick Response Codes)

What is a QR Code?

A two dimensional code that can be read from any direction at high speeds used to connect the phyisical world to the digital almost always from a mobile device such as a cell phone or tablet computer.

Other Names for QR Codes

Smart Tags - Markers - Sema codes

History of QR Codes

Created in Japan by Denso-Wave a subsidiary of Toyota to track inventory parts at high speed.

Have evolved in Japan, South Korea, Europe, China, Hong Kong and Singapore

What enabled them to evolve?

Patent rights were waived.
Specs were made "open"
The code can handle a large amount of data, print size can be small and they can be read and scanned extremely fast.

Uses in Education

Inclusion within printed learning materials “Just in time” information in a face to face lecture.
Copy of lecture notes.
A link to “More Information”.
Online worksheets.
Homework assignment with URL under code.
Hang in room and link to homework.
Hang in room to link to more information or "I need some help" information.
Multiple choice quizzes and tests – reward or remedial work.
Student reposne system applications;
display multiple choice, true/false, QR codes on a screen and have students vote.
Use to allow students to vote by interfacing with TWTPoll.
Go to a website, contact information, directions, more information, coupon.
Art supplies label how to use them and electronic equipment.
Connect sound files to sheet music.
School lunch menus.
Europe scavenger hunts taken off.
Hints in a game.
Integration with a reality game.
Hints in problem solving.
Provide easy access various types of content at learning stations (videos, pictures, podcasts).
Creation of more informative posters by attaching QR Codes for more information.
Online posters created by students with QR codes handed out to direct others to their online creations.
Place on books with links to book reviews.
Codes on books that link to an author interview.
Student Book reviews.
Access to a magazine article. This is great for the times when beginning and article that you don't hae time to finish.
Access to a book.
Card catalogue, author book call number scan QR code.
Bath University is placing a QR code on every entry in their card catalogue.
Vocab sheet with a code that goes to a pod quest pronouncing all words.
Science labs recorded and put on calendar so when students miss lab they catch code and take home.
Differentiate instruction by providing various types of remediation or enrichment.
(or multiple styles of resources – video, text, audio, etc.) for homework.
Provide multimedia content via print .
(link to videos, interactive, etc. on a textbook page or in a handout).
Automatically send a text message with homework, spelling or vocabulary lists, writing prompts, etc.
Audio file for directions.
Audio files for explanations of written word to read before or after readings.
Subscribe to a RSS Feed.
Course catalogues to connect to places where information might change or be written in another language.
Around the World in 80 Days with 2D codes by Ubimark books (See youtube video).
To allow students to share iPub files they create.
Moodle (LMS) added a functionality that includes automatically adding a QR codes on
every document printed from the platform, the QRcode points to the url of the page you print
allowing easy access in the future, to the same page from your mobile device.

Specific Uses in Education

Language Arts – Place a sticker with a QR Code on the book An American Plague: The True and Terrifying Story of the Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1793 by Jim Murphy that links to the video Yellow Fever, by Jerad Dampson
Math - Measurement exercise measure and then read QR code for answer
Science - The periodic table going to 3 dimensional files of the elements and more information.
Social Studies - Civil war battles QR codes to reenactments and information on each battle
Science - Label trees and flowers around property, so students can learn the names and more about them.

Uses in Special Educaiton -

Help build a list of ideas:

One of the best things about QR Codes is that they do not require input through a keyboard.
Sticker in a text book that goes to a reading or a video to further explain text or point out main ideas.
Worksheet with URL that goes to a audio file that reads the sheet or pronounces the vocabulary words.

Uses in the World of Business

Coupons
Tickets for airlines or movie theatres
Electoronic business cards that can also be imported into applicatioins such as Outlook.

QR Codes Readers

General Mobile

iMatrix

GoggleGoggles

Generic

Kaywa

Android Readers

Googlegoggles

Quickmark

ZXing

iReaders

QRafter

Quickmark

Optiscan

Desk Top Readers

Dansl

QR Code Creators / Generators

I-nigma - you can enter a link, text, a phone number, or text message and click generate.
Goo.gl - easy to use and easy to enlarge the code
- Other QR Code Creators
  - Zxing "Zebra Crossing" - lots of options available to create different types of messages
    Lots of features but not as easy to learn as the first two.
  - Kaywa- create codes for any URL, text message, phone # or SMS

QR Codes Resources:

http://educationQRcodes.wikispaces.com - QR Codes in Education

http://educationQRcodes.wikispaces.com/Tools Tools for QR Codes

http://livebinders.com/play/play_or_edit/51894 Live Binders Resource

http://teachingall.blogspot.com/2011/02/qr-codes-in-special-education-classroom.html
How to use QR Codes - Patrick Black

http://www.slideshare.net/andyramsden/QR-codes-as-a-learning-technology-1329351 Andy Ramsden

http://QRineducation.com