All about QR Codes

This  is a post I have been meaning to write for months, but of course time continues to escape me.  Many of you may have heard of QR codes.  For those who haven't, this is a QR code:

A QR code is like a bar code, but even fancier.  They can be scanned in any direction to give you the information within them.  They can be read using smartphone apps.  My preferred QR reader is i-nigma. It has a mobile app that I have right on my phone.

This blog post will first tackle the purpose and usage of QR codes, not only in life in general, but specifically in the classroom.  Then, I will explain how to make QR codes and put them into your own activity.

How can I use QR codes?

You may recognize QR codes from advertisements and posters all over.  Depending on how the QR code is created, it can send you to a website, show you a video, give you contact information, send you to social media or even give you the option to purchase an item when scanned.  What one can do with QR codes is practically limitless.

I love using QR codes in my classroom.  Not only does it integrate technology, but it gets the students moving around and being able to apply their knowledge in a different way.  Below is a list of different QR activities I have made (along with my shameless plug to them my TPT store if you wish to purchase them).

1. Clothing QR Activity- The students got a sheet (in color) of 20 different people in different outfits.  Each QR code around the room, when scanned, showed them the text describing what one person on the sheet was wearing.  They had to match that code to the correct person on the sheet.

2. Interrogative QR Activity- In scanning each code, the students saw a simple sentence in French like "Pierre eats a pizza at the restaurant".  Their job was to come up with as many questions as possible about that sentence like "who eats a pizza" or "where does Pierre eat" as well as answer them.

3. Phone Number QR Activity- This was a two part activity.  The students had to first scan a set of codes that took them to a Youtube link of me speaking different phone numbers to them.  They had to write the phone number down on their sheet.  Then, around the room, were pictures of different cities and the QR code attached was a phone number that would match what they had on their sheets already.  Not only did it incorporate number practice, but they got to see what phone numbers from around the world looked like.

4. Telling Time QR Activity- For this activity, when the code was scanned, they were taken to a picture of a clock. They had to write down in digits as well as words what time the clock showed.

5. Object Pronoun QR Activity- When students scanned the QR codes, they were given a full sentence in French.  On their sheet, they were given empty sentences with only object pronouns included.  They had to figure out which sentence went in which spot as well as form it correctly.



As you can see, the classroom usage of QR codes is endless.  I generally allow students to bring in smartphones to do this activity, but we are also fortunate enough to have a set of iPads to check out from the library.

How do I make my own QR code activity?

The first thing you need to do is decide how you want the activity laid out.  What will the students have on their sheet?  What do you want the codes to actually do?  How will the codes be incorporated to what is on their sheet?

I generally start by making my worksheet and going from there.

The next step is generating the QR codes.  There are two different ways to do this.  If you plan on only having a link or text in your QR code, this handy template is a GODSEND.  You can literally type in all of your stuff and it generates the code for you.  Then, highlight only the columns that have the letters and that have the code in them and do "print selection".  I make it portrait style and I don't include the headers.  You get a few codes per page and all you have to do is cut them out.
*Note: If you want to use this for any projects, I HIGHLY recommend making a copy of mine to have in your own google drive.  Then make a copy of that each time you make a new project so that your base always stays blank.


If you are wanting something a little more in depth, www.qrstuff.com works really well.  On the left hand side, you indicate what you want the code to do.  Then you type your text.  On the right, a code will be shown.  Download the code and print it.  This method is a little more time consuming, but it also gives you more options.

Have fun!

So go off, and have fun with this.  Students love QR code activities because it's different from the normal, plain worksheet.  It's engaging and is a great way to review things being studied in ANY subject.

Using QR Codes to Enhance Learning

A teacher in the Spanish department was using QR codes the other day around her classroom and it got me thinking... what could I do with QR codes to enhance my lessons?

Of course, once I start thinking about ideas, my mind doesn't shut off and I want to try it RIGHT NOW.

We are fortunate enough to have a set of iPads in the library that can be checked out to teachers.  Each iPad has a barcode reader on it that also reads the QR codes.

I gave it a whirl today with my French 1s.  They are currently learning clothing and adjective vocabulary, so I gave them a sheet with 20 different people on it wearing different things.  Then, I made 20 different QR codes (Code A, B, C, etc) that, when scanned, would pop up with a description of someone.  Upon reading the description, they would have to match that description to the correct person on their sheet.

This was an awesome activity.  It really is no different, practice wise, than writing a description on a worksheet and having them match it up.  But in letting them use technology, it gives it an awesome spin that gets them excited about the topic while reinforcing chapter vocabulary.

What I love about this is you can do QR codes with just about anything!  I'm thinking I'll use it when I review the question words and question formation.  They will scan the code, which will pop up with an answer.  They have to come up with a question that would elicit that response.

You can also do QR codes that, when scanned, will speak to the students too.  Especially in foreign language, having the codes speak is an awesome tool!

If you're interested in having a copy for yourself, get it HERE .

Using Google (and Technology in General) to your Advantage

I once got into a conversation with a veteran teacher.  She had been teaching since the 70s and would soon be retiring.  She was musing at how "easy" we have it as teachers now because of technology.  Grades that are automatically calculated, programs designed for us to use so we don't have to make them, smart boards, you name it.  Of course she wasn't taking into account the constant standards we have to live up to and prove about ourselves now, but we won't go there ;)  She asked why we, as new teachers, felt the need to use this technology... that a good teacher doesn't need to use technology to be a good teacher.

I mean...there is a truth to that.  But does it mean I am a bad teacher if I choose to use it?  The best doctor in the world isn't going to turn down cutting edge technology that can take his error rate from 1% down to .1% is he?  It doesn't make him a bad doctor.  The same goes for teaching.  Just because I choose to use these resources at my fingertips does not mean I NEED them to teach.  They simply are there to enhance my teaching.

If your district hasn't adapted into using Google as a platform, I highly recommend it.  It's amazing to be able to use the online documents, to create chat rooms with my students, to share documents with them, for them to be able to collaborate with each other even when they are home for the day.  It's incredible.  It even takes away the "OH CRAP!" moment when the group member with all of the materials for the project is sick that day.

Today in my French 2/3 class, I realized I was stuck because I had my 2s taking a quiz at the same time I needed to discuss last night's homework with the 3s so they could move on to today's work.  Crap.  What is a teacher to do in this situation?  I can't just talk over the 2s taking a quiz...that can ruin their concentration.  But you bet your butt I won't leave my 2s alone in the room to take said quiz while talking to my 3s in the hall.  And the days of having an aide were over before I ever even considered teaching as a profession.

Then it hit me.  Create a Google Hangout.  If you have never used Google, a hangout is basically like an instant messaging chat.  However, the beauty of it is that you can add multiple people to the hangout.  We were able to chat and discuss last night's homework without talking (all 9th graders in our district have laptops, so this was something I could decide at last minute without reserving computers).  The only sound was the click click of our keyboards.  This also opened the door to students being able to instant message me their homework questions and me being able to respond immediately...all without giving them my personal (home) account information.

I know I've talked about Conjuguemos before.  It is an amazing online study tool for kids.

Quizlet is great as well, as you can have the kids make their own flashcards.  The flashcards will even speak the word to them (in the target language!) to help them with pronunciation.

I do agree with the teacher's sentiment.  A good teacher doesn't need to use technology to be good.  But I have to say, it takes a great teacher to effectively use the blessings of technology to truly further the knowledge of his/her students rather than using it as a crutch.

(Photo from consultadd.com)

Conversations: Online Oral Assessment Tool

Every unit/chapter, I give my students an oral assessment.  I do it in a way that puts them on the spot but is super easy if they know the vocabulary/content from that chapter.

The one hard part, however, is finding the time to do these assessments.  My largest class is 31 students.  By the time I take them out of class to get the assessment done, I've wasted two days.  Not only that, but I have to find something to occupy the rest of the students for two days in order to do it.  It also takes me out of the classroom so they do not have me as a resource at that time.

Last year, a colleague of mine mentioned a program called Conversations.  This program was created by the University of Michigan and is completely free to use.  I didn't do anything with it last year.  I just never found the time.

However, at conferences last month, I started playing around with it between sessions.  Holy cow was I amazed.

With this program, I can record myself asking questions in the target language.  Then, when I am done setting it up, I can use a code to embed it into a blog post (I just put it into a blog post on my teacher website).  When the students go to that blog post, the program pops up.  All they have to do is type their name and it takes them to the questions.  They click a button and voila!  A video of me pops up, asking them the first question.  When the question is over, it automatically starts recording their response.  When they are done responding, they click "stop recording" and it takes them to the next question.  Once they respond to the last question, a green check-mark pops up and they can submit it.

To view all of them, you can go back to the conversations website and there is a column with all of the kids' names.  You can view JUST the responses or you can view them as you asking the question and then them responding.  I just make a list of my questions so I can read along as they respond (saves A LOT of time).

I implemented this for the last round of oral evals and I was shocked at how smoothly it went.  I checked out 5 laptops from the library and set them up with headphones out in the hallway.  The students took turns going out and doing the evaluation during the test.

They really liked it, too, because they didn't have a person sitting right in front of them.  The only disadvantage is you cannot repeat or reword a question for a student who didn't understand.  I always ask the question twice in my questions.  If they still don't get it, I tell them to come in and get me so I can reword the question.

You don't even have to do this as a testing tool.  You could even assign it for homework some evening or as something in class.  It is a wonderful time-saving tool.  I plan to use it again.