Mrs. Bonicelli's Edublog

Hagen Jr. High

QR Codes Without a Camera–Use Google Chrome

May23

QR codes need to be read by camera phones or webcam and that can be a problem.  Thanks to a entry by one of my most favorite techies, Richard Byrne of Free Technology for Teachers, there is a solution to that problem.

QRreader (beta) is a Google Chrome extension that allows you to use your browser to decode QR codes. With QRreader installed when you come to a QR code on the web you can simply right-click on it to decode it. If the QR code is for a webpage, the page will open in a new tab. If the QR code is for text, it will open in a text dialogue box.

Note:  Just another reason to use Google Chrome as a browser. 🙂

 

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QR Codes & Their Uses

May23

I came across several posts by Tammy Worcester on her blog “Tip of the Week” and I will include links below:

First:  Explanation and use of QR Codes

 

Then, how to add audio to your QR Code:

 

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QR Uses–Treasure Hunt and more.

July23

Open a magazine, a catalog, or take a look at sign in your local grocery market these days and you’re likely to see a QR code.  To that end, Russel Tarr has developed the QR Treasure Hunt Generator.

Picture 2The QR Treasure Hunt Generator provides you with all of the things you need to get started creating your own QR codes and using them in your classroom. To use the QR Treasure Hunt Generator type out a series of questions and answers, generate the QR codes using the tool Russel Tarr provides, then print and display the codes around your classroom or school.

What is a QR Code?

This is a QR or Quick Response Code.  Simply put,  it is a 3D barcode read horizontally and vertically.  Because QR Codes can contain up to 4000 characters of information you can put a ton of information in just one code. For example, it could be something as simple as a web address. QR codes are also beginning to appear on business cards because, again, they can contain lots more information. But by far their most popular use is for web addresses. Ads contained codes to sales information that didn’t appear in the ad or on the regular website.  In a nutshell, you need a device that has a camera so you can scan or take a picture of the code, a program to do the decoding and web access to see where the code takes you. This is usually used with cell phones and ipads, but a web cam with software installed can read these as well.

Apps:
You will need a reader installed on your phone. There are lots to choose from and most are free. For the iPhone NeoReader seems to be the most popular. On Android the Barcode Scanner from Zxing is very popular. But NeoReader works on most Android phones as well. There are other apps too for non-smartphones. Just do a Google search for your phone and “qr code reader” and you should come up with something.

Ideas in the Classroom:

  • I have seen them is at a zoo. You can walk up to the exhibit, scan the code and get more information about the animals and even video and audio. (Great for those times when the animals aren’t active.)
  • One idea for use in the classroom that comes to mind is books.  If you threw in a QR code on the front cover. The students can scan and read a book review written by a student from last year or even watch a video trailer of the book that a student created as part of a project. All of that information  contained in a small black and white square on the cover of the book.
  • Create a QR with the answers embedded right in the code and put it on the top of the next week’s homework assignment.
  • Create a QR code for each teacher outside their classroom for students and parents alike to scan the information.

Creating QR Codes:
There are lots of different websites that will allow you to make QR codes. One of my favorite is from Kaywa.   Just select the ‘text’ radio button and start typing. When you are finished, chose the size that you want and click ‘generate’. A QR code will appear on the screen.  Right mouse click it, copy and paste into your document or embedded on website.  It’s that easy.  Or if you want just a website for the user to be directed to, it is very easy.

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