Open House Idea - QR Style

With Open House just around the corner, everyone is scurrying about getting all the details in order. So here's one idea that I think works great!  Create a QR Code with all your Contact Information (name, email address, phone number, Twitter handle, etc.) and add a few highlights or "what to expect" details.  Codes can be generated by so many programs. Here's the one I use: QR-Generator (http://www.qr-code-generator.com/). It's very easy and creates a variety of codes.

Take the Code and a pleasant picture of you, laminate if you can and place outside your Classroom or Lab door.  When Parents scan, they will have your Contact Information available on their device. There is no need to keep up with paper copies or risk typographical errors. Your picture is also a nice welcome to the Students. This way, they'll know who they're looking for! It eases that pressure.

It's a snap....and, a great idea!

Happy New School Year Folks!

A Talking QR Code Generator!...QR Voice!

I've posted about QR Codes in the past because they are a natural "hit" for any activity, project and more. To be able to scan a code and a URL pops up, or a techy question is asked in a Tech Scavenger Hunt or Silly Starters for creative writing assignments, and so many more neat ideas that come when you think of a QR code.  Well, when I found a QR Code Generator that creates a code that speaks...I can't tell you how excited I became.  QR Voice (http://qrvoice.net/?id=1HIAyoV) is my new favorite tool.  Type in your message, click on the QR Code button and in a snap....a talking QR Code is generated!

Use with: Kinder & 1st Grade Friends, ESL Friends and more.

Happy to be a Talking QR Code!

Elana Moore

Creating QR Codes in Google Apps!

My earlier posts have included some of my ideas for using QR Codes in the Classroom.  Since many of my activities require a bunch of QR Codes, I needed a way to 'batch' create the codes instead of creating them one-by-one.

So...what better way to create these Codes in mass quantities then by using my Google Apps account!  Here are easy step-by-steps for getting the job done:

1) In Google Apps, create a 'Sheets'
2) Adjust column and row height and width to make a large square (approximately 3"x3").
3) Title Column 'A':  Text/URL/Contact Information or whatever you want your QR to contain.
4) Title Column 'B':  QR Code
5) In Column 'A', on each row, type in what you want your QR Code to be about (text, contact, URL, etc.)
6) In Column 'B', type in this formula:

       =image("https://chart.googleapis.com/chart?chs=150x150&cht=qr&chl="&A2)

Note that the last 2 characters of this formula represent the cell from Column 'A'. If you copy & paste this formula down Column 'B', make certain that last number is for the correct/adjacent Column 'A' cell.
 
7) Tip: If the QR Code doesn't show in the cell in Column 'B', try looking at it from 'Print View'. Many times, my cells were blank, but in 'Print View', I saw the code and it scanned perfectly.

8) Before going live with these Codes, I always 'test drive' them for accuracy and to make sure there are no errors.


Voilà!....you've made QR Codes!


Elana Moore

Happy to be a QR Code!

QR Codes are a fun tool for so many activities!  Here are 5 of my favorite ways that I use them in the Tech Lab:

1) Tech Scavenger Hunt - Fall & Spring are perfect times of year to have an outside tech experience!  I use QR Codes for a techy Scavenger Hunt. Age & grade appropriate, Students will scan a code to take them on this hunt from code to code. Their hunt could be for answers to techy questions or to find caches of rewards and prizes.  I try and mix it up for fun!

2) Silly Starters - Digital Storytelling is huge in the Tech Lab! I introduce many 'old standards' along with new & exciting programs that Students can use to create their story. The QR Code will hold a 'Silly Starter' that they can use to get started with their story.  Create a story about: "A hamburger that couldn't stop laughing", "A treasure hidden in a very messy room", "A perfectly wrapped package...what is inside?"...and more. 

3) Mystery Picture - I like to create a picture on grid paper and use coordinates for each box.  I then create a QR Code that holds the coordinates and a color. Students will scan the code, locate the box and shade it with the right color on their grid paper.  I will use up 30 QRs and place them at each workstation in the Lab. The number of codes I use depends on the picture. Each scan of each QR Code takes them closer to figuring out what the Mystery Picture is. It's really fun! 

4) Cheat Sheet - So many of the projects that we will work on in the Tech Lab have many steps or bits of information. I will create a "Cheat Sheet" as a reference. This saves me from repeating words and instructions and it saves Students from having to remember all the steps. Instead of printing the instructions...the Cheat Sheet...I will create a QR Code with the steps. Students scan the code using "QR Journal" and will save it on their computer for the duration of the project! 

5) "Me" Projects - A great way to get to know each other in class...I like "Me" projects!  Each Student creates their own project. I've had Students use Google Apps, Thinglink (https://www.thinglink.com/), Padlet (http://padlet.com/) and more. They then will create their own QR Code and attach the project. This QR Code can be uploaded to their Schoology Accounts or to the class webpage.  Great getting to know ya'!

Many QR Code creators are available by Google searching. Most any are easy to use for your activity and have text, URL and more setup options.  

Happy to be a QR Code!

Elana Moore

Customizable QR Codes....now we're talking!

By using web based unitag.io ( http://tinyurl.com/q28xqpj ), you can create a unique QR Code for your Classroom or School!  No more plain black & white codes....you can change the colors, add logos or pictures and make it a more eye catching QR experience!

Try these ideas around your School:
* Hang a QR Code outside each Classroom, with Teacher or Class information.  Maybe make a weekly schedule or 'upcoming classroom events' code.
* Contact Information QR Code for your webpage with ways to contact you!
* Have Students create a QR with a link to their techy project and display it throughout the school.
* QR Scavenger Hunt with questions for any number of topics. Find the code, scan it, and answer the question or reveal a riddle that will take them to the next code.  I like doing this outside on a Fall Day!
* QR Codes for Student Vocabulary - create a code for each word, add an audio with the pronunciation of the word and the definition.  Make it a Study Sheet for them to take home or use in the classroom.

Happy creating!
Elana Moore