Using QR Codes in PK and Kindergarten Classrooms

Transcription

1 Using QR Codes in PK and Kindergarten Classrooms What are QR (Quick Response) Codes? A QR code consists of black modules (square dots) arranged in a square grid on a white background, which can be read by an imaging device such as a QR Code scanner; data is then extracted from patterns present in both horizontal and vertical components of the image. QR codes storing URLs may appear in magazines, on signs, on buses, on business cards, or on almost any object about which users might need information. QR- code readers or scanners convert the QR Code to some useful form such as a standard URL for a website so the user does not have to type the URL manually into a web browser. What are QR Code Readers/Scanners? i- nigma is the most reliable QR Code Reader/Scanner, in the opinion of the presenter. There are also a number of other QR Code Scanner apps for ipads, but why use an inferior app when a very reliable one is available for free? ipads in PK and Kindergarten Classrooms by Alice A. Christie, Ph.D.

2 How to Create CR Codes There are a number of web sites that allow you to create QR Codes for free. Below is a list of web sites where educators can create QR Codes for use in their classrooms: i- nigma ( nigma.com/createbarcodes.html) allows you to create QR Codes in a variety of sizes QR Stuff ( allows you to create colorful QR Codes Go QR ( allows you to create QR Codes Unitag ( allows you to create customized QR Codes Kaywa QR Code Generator ( allows you to create QR Codes After you create a QR Code, place it in a document so students can scan it and go quickly and efficiently to a web site with text, an image, a movie, a song, a map, etc. QR Code scanners can read both printed and digital codes: print QR Codes that will be used numerous times digitally display QR Codes that will be used for a single activity Use Google Spreadsheets when creating multiple QR codes. I adapted the directions below on creating multiple QR codes from Tammy Worcester s Tech Tips: 1. Log into Google Drive. 2. Click on the create button to the left hand side and click on spreadsheet. 3. Label column A Information. This is where you will put the information you want the QR code to have, for example, your text, video, URL, etc. 4. Label column B QR Code. (Eventually your QR code will appear here) 5. Resize the columns and rows so they are approximately 2 inches by 2 inches. You want them big enough to be able to scan easily. 6. Copy and paste the following formula in cell B2, then click Enter: =image(ʺ 150&cht=qr&chl=ʺ &A2) 7. A QR code will appear! *If it doesn t work on the first try, it could be because you had a space after the A2) so delete the space and try again. The row will change to green and that is how you know it will work. 8. Click the tiny blue square in the bottom- right corner of the cell and drag down to fill the formula in that column. QR codes should appear for all the information you filled in each row. If you didn t fill in each row and you see QR codes then you can go back and put in information and those QR codes will change to add the new information. 9. Print them out, cut them up and place where you want them in your classroom. ipads in PK and Kindergarten Classrooms by Alice A. Christie, Ph.D.

3 How Do You Use QR Codes in the PK Kindergarten Classroom? There are numerous ways for educators to use QR Codes in their classrooms. I have generated the short list below. During our seminar, we will add to this list. Post Contact Information Post in your classroom for parents, guardians, staff, or administration to obtain phone number, address, class website, class blog etc. Help Students Discover Their Learning Environment Conduct Research Create QR Codes to direct students to Internet sites on specific topics, at appropriate reading levels, and with appropriate number of images Contextualize Learning Create QR Codes to direct students to images to explain concepts to those students who do not yet read Contextualize Reading Create QR Codes and place them on book covers to direct students to information about an author. ipads in PK and Kindergarten Classrooms by Alice A. Christie, Ph.D.

4 Develop Vocabulary Create QR Codes to direct students to images to explain vocabulary words Scaffold Non- Fiction Reading Scaffold Early Literacy Create QR Codes and place them on book covers to direct students to a video of the book, an online version of the book, or an audio reading of the book. Non- readers or emerging readers can then read along. Scaffold Learning Create QR Codes to direct students to a how to video such as a Khan Academy ( ) video or a ShowMe ( ) video you created yourself. Develop Social Studies Awareness ipads in PK and Kindergarten Classrooms by Alice A. Christie, Ph.D.

5 Create An Interactive Quiz Make History Come Alive Manage Behavior Create QR Codes to direct students to comments about their behavior, their attention to a given task, their interpersonal skills, their ability to follow directions, etc. ipads in PK and Kindergarten Classrooms by Alice A. Christie, Ph.D.

6 Help Students Become Self- Directed Learners Create QR Codes to direct students to commonly used sites such as o The Visual Dictionary ( webster.com/) o educational videos ( o NCTM Illuminations ( o NCTE ReadWriteThink Interactives ( o Math manipulatives ( o Base ten blocks ( k6.thinkcentral.com/content/hsp/math/hspmath/na/gr3-5/itools_intermediate_ _/basetenblocks.html) o Practice Math and English Language Arts ( &gclid=coctn7lt_bkcfvno7aodydwa2g) Provide Answers to Specific Questions Create QR Codes that provide an answer to a question. ipads in PK and Kindergarten Classrooms by Alice A. Christie, Ph.D.

7 Update Your Textbooks Create QR Codes that provide links to more recent information, deeper information, or maps, movies, speeches, etc. that will contextualize learning. Paste these QR Codes into textbooks. Learn Sight Words Create QR Codes to direct students to audio files where sight words are pronounced orally. The following activity is adapted from the technologyinearlychildhood blog. ipads in PK and Kindergarten Classrooms by Alice A. Christie, Ph.D.

8 Use a Web 2.0 tool that will let you record an audio file online and store it at a particular URL. There are many sites that do this, but Record MP3 ( is efficient and easy to use. You can create and upload a MP3 file in just a few steps and then the program generates a URL. Take URL from Record MP3 and paste it into your favorite QR code creator and generate a large QR code. The QR Code links to the audio file so that when the QR code is scanned, the audio file plays the recording. Print each large QR Code on paper and place in the classroom where they are easily accessible to all learners. ipads in PK and Kindergarten Classrooms by Alice A. Christie, Ph.D.

9 Help Students Exhibit Their Work Create QR Codes to direct parents, relatives, friends, neighbors, other learners across town, or other learner across the state or the country to web- based reports, drawings, photos, movies, art projects, presentations of your students. ipads in PK and Kindergarten Classrooms by Alice A. Christie, Ph.D.

10 QR Code Resources Dr. Alice Christie s Guide to QR Codes in the K- 12 Classroom ( Tony Vincent s Video on Using QR Codes in Education ( in- hand- 25- qr- codes.html) Technology in Early Childhood Blog ( Scoop.it: Engaging Students Using QR Codes ( students- using- qr- codes) QR Treasure Hunt Generator! ( Kathy Schrock s Guide to QR Codes in the Classroom ( codes- in- the- classroom.html) QR Codes In Education: Live Binder by Steven Anderson ( Edutopia: Twelve Ideas for Teaching with QR Codes ( codes- teaching- andrew- miller) Flip Cameras and QR codes ( Your Smarticles: QR Idea and Resources ( code- ideas- and- resources.html#.uk9lucqzlsc) 50 QR Code Resources for the Classroom ( qr- code- resources- for- the- classroom/16093) 3D Animated QR Code Cube ( ipads in PK and Kindergarten Classrooms by Alice A. Christie, Ph.D.