QR Codes Workshop

Workshop Objectives:

Goal 1: Understand what a QR Code is.
Goal 2: How to activate a QR Code.
Goal 3: Uses of QR Codes

Goal 1: Understanding what a QR Code is

A QR Code is a two-dimensional barcode consisting of a color and white pixel pattern which allows you to encode up to a few hundred characters. It is a mobile phone readable barcode that can store website URLs, plain text, phone numbers, email addresses and pretty much any other alphanumeric data. To access a QR code, you can use any device that has a camera and a QR code reader application. Many smartphone cameras have QR readers programmed in them. Or there are many apps you can download that are specifically designed to read QR codes. Most QR code reader apps and generators are free so you can access or create QR readers at any point in time.

The QR code at right will take you to TeacherLINK's Mini-Workshops main menu.

Goal 2: How to generate and use a QR Code

There are many websites available that allow you to generate QR codes. One good website is https://www.qr-code-generator.com/ . Here you can paste a URL you want the QR code to be directed to and then click create/generate. To use the code, copy the QR code onto a document and print it, or save it to printable resources that you wish to share online.

Resources mentioned in this video: Use WebCamera.io to record a video. For QR codes, QR.me is no longer available, but you can use https://www.qrstuff.com/ or https://www.qrcode-monkey.com/ or many other free generators!

Here is a free, shared PDF about meteorites and asteroids

Goal 3: Uses of QR Codes

There are many great uses of QR Codes. Many transit and transportation places have started using QR codes to direct users to a map of available routes and times. In the business industry, companies are using them in magazines, mail, food packages, and more so they can be taken to associated product websites for more information. One excellent use of QR Codes is in teacher lesson plans and activities. Teachers will post QR Codes around the room or on papers to have the students use their devices to go to a specific website and complete a task, then move on to other activities. A teacher can direct students to a website, video, game, article, document, or whatever the teacher is needing. Many teachers or professors will use QR codes to cite sources and to direct their students to find more information about topics or subjects they talk about in class. This is a very inexpensive and accessible tool that can serve many different purposes.

Resources mentioned in this video:
https://www.the-qrcode-generator.com/
http://qrcode.kaywa.com/

Examples of QR Code uses from https://www.qr-code-generator.com/ - Click the image to view the source and see more examples!