IPad

It is a public running joke at my school that I am CRAZY for QR codes. Tease all you want, because I’m totally fine wearing the crown of the resident QR code queen (….or crazy lady). So much of what the students are learning and reporting on involve creative, multi-media applications that simply cannot be conveyed on paper. To tie in video, audio, photo, documents, games, and more, students utilize iPads for a variety of applications. Communicating such layered projects can be tough! Using a QR code to link to a video recording, student-created webpage, portfolio link, online document or presentation is a 21st Century, interactive way to engage students, parents, and hallway bypassers in everything from center instructions to hallway displays. Get your scanners ready to be QR code crazy with Mrs. Petlak’s class!

Interactive Tech-Based Student Work Displays
Check out my Scholastic Top Teaching blog posts featuring interactive QR code use (linked below) from the 2013-2014 school year. You’ll get a kick out of some of the awesome student recordings and creative applications for this simple tech tool!  See how we use QR codes to provide interactive multi-dimensional hallway displays that provide an in-depth profile of student learning! Projects featured using QR codes include:

• Student Pinterest boards and pins
• Greenscreen student video reporting/recording 
• Educreations screencast recordings
• Hands-on math games video tutorial recordings
• Project-based Picasso research 

Clone the Teacher:
I know I can’t be the only teacher who wishes they could clone about 5 of me so that there were enough hands and eyes and ears to most effectively provide individual support as needed in my classroom! Since that isn’t possible (…and is a bit frightening, trust me….1 of me is enough!), using a QR code to convey meaning, instructions, and more is the next best thing! While you’re manning small group instruction, record your voice or video demo of what needs to be done at each student workstation. We actually did this for a recent STEM family event {watch for future fun posts!!} & it was hugely successful with both students and parents. Heck–you could record an ENTIRE LESSON via video or screencast and link it to a QR code! This works really well, when you have substitute teachers, too. It’s like you’re there even when you’re NOT!

BEST . GIFTS . EVER .
As favors for our STEM family event, we filmed students using a greenscreen app, then linked a QR code to each video. Next, we created keychain tags with design on the front and corresponding student video recording QR code on the back. Now, students can scan the code and watch their video whenever they want!

Big Time Book Use:
QR codes can be AMAZING tech tools for creating interactive books and related activities! Talk about making the magic of reading come to life!

• Student self-recording of book read aloud
• Teacher recording of book read aloud
• Student-created dramatic version of book using apps such as FaceTalker & Puppet Pals.
• Student book reviews using video or audio recordings.
• Book movie trailers to pique interest when browsing the library searching for books.

I LOVE Sue Lynch’s twist on the traditional reading center. Let’s face it, CD recordings of audio books are becoming tough to find…and so are CD players! {I felt really, REALLY old when I had to explain to my students how to use a CD player and CD discman.  Can anyone say “child of the 80s & 90s????} Sue uses the trendy tech-appeal of iPod graphics, inserts a QR code linked to an audio recording of the book, and then, VOILA! Students scan and listen to the stories on their own handheld device. Check out her product, Listening Center Twist on Teachers Pay Teachers.

Keep ‘Em Honest: 
Cloning yourself via QR code to help students check practice work is not only fun for your kiddos, but it helps them practice honesty, and makes quick checking for understanding simple & efficient. Simply link the answer (I use Google docs to link & share) to individual questions, task cards, or answers for an entire practice sheet to a QR code. Copy and paste the QR code onto the activity page(s) or do the old-fashioned version and PHYSICALLY {gasp!} cut and paste the printed QR code onto the activities. Our very own linky hostess-with-the-mostess, Kristin Kennedy of iTeach 1:1 has AMAZING answer & check (via QR code) activities that are perfect for student workstations that promote independence!

On the Hunt:

QR code scavenger hunts are SO . MUCH . FUN. We have used them in our classrooms for fun math facts practice, geography challenges, evidence of STEM in our school building, word hunts, and much, much more! Again, tech-teacher-extraordinaire, Kristin Kennedy of iTeach 1:1 has fab QR code scavenger hunt materials that are perfect for independent skills practice with a fun twist!

Secret Treasures:
This year I want to make or purchase secret rewards using QR codes. Simple create a reward coupon, upload it to a share site (like Google Drive), link it to a qr code, and then print a paper coupon/ticket that has the QR code visible. Students scan the code to see their prize! Joanne Miller has a great example of such incentives with her awesome Scan To Win Reward Tickets.

I love this idea because you could use this process to make CUSTOM secret rewards. We have done something similar in the past using invisible markers with students who have individualized behavior/incentive plans. Have the child work with you to create a list of rewards he/she would love. Follow the instructions above, but program the coupons with the incentives specific to that student. When that child earns his/her reward, they will scan and receive something JUST for them!  They’ll love it.

What’s Next for this QR Code Queen?
I’m always looking for ways to expand my tech-tool use, and in the year to come, I want to try out augmented reality through apps like Aurasma. Check out this post on augmented reality by my friend, tech-wiz, and fabulous edu-blogger, Erin Klein. Similar to QR codes, this brings classroom activities and displays to life and I can’t wait to try it this school year!

Still QR Crazed?

I get it….you can’t get enough! If this is the case, you have to pop on over to 2 amazing posts by my fellow Scholastic blogger, Christy Crawford. You’ll be so inspired and adding to your to-do list that you’ll be QR crazed for days!