Students Scanning Their Ways to Success :: QR Codes in the Classroom ::

Years ago, few educators were familiar with these...

ARTICLE_-_QR_codes.png 

Even I, as a young up-and-coming educator myself, had to think hard before remembering what exactly those little white and black bar codes were called. What are they called, anyway? Oh, that's right, QR codes!

QR codes, as defined by Google Dictionary, are a "a machine-readable code consisting of an array of black and white squares, typically used for storing URLs or other information for reading by the camera on a smartphone." In other words, they are an image that is essentially the same functioning thing as a bar code that also happens to serve as a link or URL. 

What could such a thing have to do with education? Before this spring semester, I truly had no idea. Recently, though, a friend and I discussed how one teacher in particular implemented these well into their classroom. Yes - a QR code in the classroom.

One creative way this previously mentioned teacher implemented these nifty bar codes was via a scavenger hunt. With QR codes scattered all across the room on varying objects, students were able to use their iPad's or smartphone's to discover what each object was in Spanish. Paired with technology usage both through the QR itself and the smartphone/iPad, students were undoubtedly engaged in the assignment. The results? Exceptional! 

Friend, learning another language can be difficult and is a timely process no matter how it is learned. But including engaging activities such as a scavenger hunt with cell phones included was most definitely one way that helped increase a group of student's knowledge of Spanish. Not a Spanish teacher? Me either, but I am already thinking of various ways I could include this in my social studies room!  

Watch the following TED talk on QR Codes in the Classroom, today!

VISIT HERE TO START MAKING CODES NOW :: ScanMe . Com