Intel Teach Live - July 2011 - Getting Smart with QR Codes

QR Codes are popping up everywhere -  from magazine ads to airport billboards to street art. So do you want to get smart with them in the classroom? Join us in this webinar to get the scoop on these codes and their curriculum application.

If you don't already know me then let me take a minute to introduce myself. My name is Susan and I am a middle school librarian in Louisiana. I spent the last ten years working with state initiatives involving technology but now I am really having some fun getting hands-on technology experiences with students every day. We will be live Tuesday night and I do mean LIVE....I will have to give my dog "Lili" extra bones to keep her quiet during the webinar! Looking forward to learning and having fun with you online.

QR Codes are here, there and everywhere.  Come join us for an informative, hands-on webinar on how you can get started using QR Codes in the classroom.

I have been in education for about 23 years and have worn many hats.  I'm getting ready to put on yet another hat beginning August 1st as a consultant for the southeast region of North Carolina.  Besides facilitating professional development as an Intel Senior Trainer and as a Technology Facilitator at a 3rd through 5th grade school, I try to keep up with the latest technology through my many networks.

I found out about QR codes back in December during a previous Intel webinar and have been exploring their use in the classroom since.  I created a Quick Response Code for our school website and our parent wiki and placed them on the entrances to our school building.  This got staff and parents asking questions.  So, during a Parent Hornet Cafe I demonstrated how you could download an app to your cellphone that could scan a code in order to access information such as a website, video, contact information, etc.  I had several QR codes placed around the room for them to scan and several teachers had them outside their classrooms to access their teacher sites.

Jane Houde and I facilitated an Intel Leadership Forum in Rockinham County.  We created codes to various websites we wanted the participants to explore during the training.  We sent an email a week prior to our training with information on how to download the apps to their phones.  We also had a few iPod Gen 4 to use as well.  It was a great way to demonstrate how cell phones could be used in the classroom along with an introduction to QR Codes.

Come network with Susan, myself, and other educators to learn of ways you can use QR Codes in the classroom.  Remember to bookmark this thread so the conversation can continue after the webinar.  See you Tuesday evening!      

my QR Code

View this thread and click on the webinar for additional information about QR codes.

Vanessa

Here is my code. I am crossing my fingers it works.

Thanks for the great webinar!  Here is my QR Code!

Here is my code that links to Plurk.  That's where Ms.Smoke let me know about this webinar and I found this site.  Thank you Ms. Smoke

Here is my QR Code. Thanks!

I enjoyed this session.  Here is my QR Code.

I am really curious about QR codes. Will there be other webinars?

During the webinare, someone mentioned wanting to do an art project with QR codes.  One idea I had off the top of my head ( I'm no art teacher by the way... Science is my thing) was to have the students create a piece of original art that is inspired by someone famous. Maybe another artists, maybe an athlete, political leader .. etc.  The students then must incorporate a QR code into their original art piece that links to information on who inspired the piece. Well that's the basic idea of what popped into my head. Thanks to all that shared that night and to those who are sharing on here.

Of course, my FAVORITE web site/QR code is to our own school district!  I use the code on publications to help incentivise our parents to begin to explore technology. We need to get the word out about the little things, so the community begins to truly understand our world is a much different one than it was when they were in school.  We need to get all members in the community acclimated to technology in some way, shape, or form. In the 2011-2012 school year we are going to be making LOTS of changes and giving kids computers- every kid a computer, so this is part of the plan to spread the word.   So, here's our QR Code!  Enjoy visiting our site!

I have enjoyed getting creative with my QR codes.  We learned that most QR codes only use about 70% of the actual code.  So, I took out a part and put in my little picture. This particular QR Code goes to my About.me biography page, therefore it's like a calling card icon.

Editing is not too hard. Just erase a bit, and scan it to see if it still works. Eventually, as you increase the erased area, you will have a working scan and room to insert some art.  Here are a few examples:  http://mashable.com/2011/07/23/creative-qr-codes/

One more. There is a great educator in England who frequently puts out a "## Ways to use XXXX in the classroom" google presentations.  He puts it out there for others to add to.  So, right now, there is a presentation called, "40 Interesting Ways to Use QR Codes in the Classroom".

https://docs.google.com/present/view?id=0AclS3lrlFkCIZGhuMnZjdjVfNzY1aHNkdzV4Y3I&hl=en_GB&authkey=COX05IsF&pli=1

A few that I liked in particular:

#8 - Creating a QR code for Android phones use use to access a wireless network.  Scan and your in!!

#15 - using Snap.vu, be able to create a QR code that can be changed without changing the code picture itself.

#40 - A web-based QR Code generator that lets you specifically send an SMS, use Google Maps, or a number of other actions.

Lots of great ideas!

Howard

Although it is still in "evaluation mode only" it is really cool. It is from Common Craft...QR Codes explained by Common Craft.

http://www.commoncraft.com/video/qr-codes

I am completly amazed at educators...they can take a simple idea and make it so outstanding. I think this is the power of  the professional learning network. I shared this webinar info with a fellow librarian and when she saw my pic of the students scanning the summer reading books she took the idea and ran with it. Check out the pics which show her bulletin board and qr code station (using a webcam). She totally puts my examples to shame...LOVE IT!