Final 516 Blog

     My QR code project went well.  If I were to teach it again, I think I would look more closely as too why some videos will play and some will not.  Also, I did not get a chance to share the fact that with some paid QR codes sites you can find out statistical information such as the number of times the code has been scanned. 
    It feels good to have my work complete for this class!  Now I can start to think about the holidays.  I hope everyone enjoys their break!

Follow-up

     I had a follow-up group activity with my learners.  They had created QR Codes to use in their classroom.   The science teacher decided that she would video tape student labs.  Then when students are absent they could scan a QR codes that would take the student to the lab demonstration.  An idea that was mentioned earlier is that we could put QR codes in books to generate interest, but someone suggested that students video tape themselves giving a book talk and then create a QR code to their to put into books.
      We also discovered that some of our QR codes did not work, because a small part of them were cut off when printed.  The math teacher also had issues with videos not playing.  We think that it had to do with the device, because it came up on my phone.  These issues are important to know about because it will definitely come up when using with students. All of the issues made us realize that we must double-check all our QR Codes to make sure that they work prior to student use.

Taught my lesson on QR codes today!  It went really well.  A couple of teachers did not know what they were, the others had seen them, but had not thought about using them in their classroom.  The primary ed teacher was particularly excited noting that they would be great for centers using the iPads she has available to her.  The math teacher said that it would be good for providing additional support for his lessons.  The teachers also learned how easy it is to create a QR code and that it would not take much additional effort to incorporate them into their lessons.

QR codes today.

As I was printing out QR codes for my lesson for teachers, some of my students wanted to know what they were and if they could scan them! Hmmm, maybe we can trick students into learning by disguising behind QR codes. Fun! Will have to share in my lesson.

QR Codes Lesson

• Quick Response (QR) Codes
• QR codes to enhance your classroom instruction
• General Goal(s)
• Understand what a QR code is
• Scan QR codes
• List possible uses in classroom
• Be able to create QR codes

• Specific Learning Outcomes
• Teachers will be able to download a scanner app.
• Teachers will be able to scan a QR code for information.
• Teachers will create a QR code.
• Teachers will create a QR code to support their classroom instruction.
• Characteristics of your Learners
• This lesson is designed for Pre-k through high school educators. 
• Required Materials, including Web 2.0
• Mobile device that is able to scan QR codes
• (optional) computer
• Introduction to the Activity
• QR codes displayed throughout the room including on the whiteboard
• Ask teachers if they are familiar with the images displayed.
• Ask if they have seen them elsewhere (mail flyers, posters, bananas, etc.)
• What are they?  What are they used for?
• Today you will learn what they are, practical classroom uses, and how to create them.
• Watch You Tube video on QR codes (2 min.).
• Share self-created webpage about QR codes for a resource for now and later.

• Step-By-Step Procedures
• Scanning QR codes

• Download a scanner app
• i-nigma
•  QR reader
• Start the scanner application
• Walk around the room and point the phone’s camera over QR codes that are displayed.
• Phone will automatically read the code and display its information.
• Learners will then share the different types of information that was shared through the various QR codes displayed around the room.

• Discuss ways that QR codes could be used to support learning in classroom.
• Make a list of ideas generated
• Lend suggestions that may not have been considered.
• On computers if available, but mobile devices will work too.  Teachers should locate a couple of online resources that they would use to support a lesson.
• Creating QR codes
• Copy the link location (url)
• If it is too long you will not get a code that is easily read.  Therefore, you will want to put into bit.ly, goo.gl, or tiny.url    For our purposes we will use a generator that shortens it for you.
• Open a QR code generator
• QR stuff (will shorten url for you)
• Point out that they can select the type of data they want to transmit website, video, contact info, text, sms, etc., but for our purposes we will be using the website or video option.
• Paste url  from your resource.
• Adjust settings if available (color, size, quality, etc)
• Generate or preview code
• Download or copy
• Print code.
• Share with neighbor
• Assessment
• Learners successfully downloaded a QR reader App.
• Learners successfully scanned at least 2 QR codes.
• Learners created their own QR code, which could be scanned by instructor.
• Learners used a QR code to supplement a lesson.
• Conclusion
•  QR codes can be a useful and even fun tool to help extend classroom instruction
• Connections to other subjects
• This tool can be used with any grade level and any subject area.

516 Project - QR codes

For my activity, I will introduce QR codes to a small group of teachers.  They will learn what a QR code is, how they can be used in their classroom and how to create them.