QR codes....the who, what, and how....

Today's topic is QR codes, QR readers, and QR generators. 
 These crafty fellows can be used for a multitude of purposes.  The first one that I can think of right off hand, and probably the most common use, is as a link to a website.  In fact that is how you got here today!
But what are they and how do they work? 
Well in a nut shell.. They are Quick Response Codes that can be scanned without the beam of light used to scan barcodes. While they were originally designed for industrial uses, QR codes have become common in consumer advertising. Smartphone users can install an app with a QR-code scanner that can read a displayed code and convert it to a URL directing the smartphone's browser to the website of a company, store, or product associated with that code providing specific information.  Cool, huh?
So, you may be asking yourself, "How does this translate to an educational tool?"  Well, that is a good question... here are several examples that I have found or come up with:

•  they eliminate the frustration of long web addresses.  Just create a code for a site you need your students to go to and have them scan it!
• It takes students directly to a designated website.  No more search engine issues (you know those not very kid-friendly images that sometimes pop up)
• It definitely saves time! Especially with the younger students who may not have the fastest or most accurate typing skills.
• they can be placed around the room and be linked to images of specific classroom items
• they can be linked to clues in a sort of classroom scavenger hunt for the start of the school year to help students learn where the pencil sharpener, trash can, and cubbies are located. Or even to share facts about their new teacher
• they can be linked to your class website. You can create a QR code that can be laminated and linked to your classroom website. This QR code can be placed in the ipad station and the students can scan it to go directly to the class site
• Anytime you want to make sure your students go to a specific site, photo, link, you can create a QR code and have them scan it.
• you can link it to permission slips and send home just the QR code and have parents scan it and print out the permission slip them selves.
• as with the link to my blog...I can attach questions to the QR code and the students will have to scan the code to find the answers. This can be done with online text books, class website, webpages.
• And last but not least the best is the creation of a QR code that is actual text. The student scans it and it shows whatever you typed.  This can be a way to have the answers to quizzes on the quiz. The students can check their answers when they are finished by scanning the QR code. 

 Creating and reading QR codes is easy. You can find several free QR code creators and readers that are compatible for the iPad, iPhone, and Android devises. The QR code generator that I used to create the code that brought us here today is called Kaywa QR code. The web address is http://qrcode.kaywa.com It is a free site for creating QR codes.  The QR reader that I have on my iPad is called QR reader for iPad.  I also have the iPhone version on my iPhone. I have other QR readers and generator that I have used and they all work well.  I also have an app called Qrafter than creates and reads QR codes.  This app cost $2.99, but I 
am able to link QR codes to documents, contacts, and any text that I write. Well worth the $2.99.  I will demonstrate this during our meeting. Prepare to be amazed!
Yours truly.... Ms. Adderley...tech nerd 

 Scan the code for more ways to use QR codes in your classroom!