Do you use QR codes in your classroom? QR codes have become such an integral part of the way we navigate digital spaces. For educators, QR codes can act as a simple and quick way to get resources in the hands of students. You might connect a QR code to a link to a Google Form and have students scan it to respond to a do now activity. Or you might place QR codes on a bulletin board so anyone walking by can quickly access your class schedule.
I am a big fan of QR codes. You’ll find a handful of posts on the blog that mention strategies related to QR codes. Here are just a few:
- 12 Tips for Classroom Door Decorations with QR Codes
- 9 Ways to Use QR Codes in Your Classroom Library
In my quick reference guides and books, you’ll also find QR codes. My quick reference guide, Using AI Chatbots to Enhance Planning and Instruction, has a QR code that directs readers to more resources. And my book, EdTech Essentials: 12 Strategies for Every Classroom in the Age of AI, 2nd Edition, has QR codes that take readers to podcast episodes throughout the chapters. There are so many ways to use QR codes for teaching and learning.
If you are using QR codes in your classroom this year, there are a few important things to remember. In today’s blog post, I’ve pulled together a handful of things every teacher should know about QR codes. Let’s dive into the list!
11 Things Every Teacher Should Know About QR Codes
Whether you are brand new to using QR codes or revisiting this technology for the upcoming school year, I have a few tips to share with you. Here are a few things every teacher should know about QR codes.
They Are Free
QR codes can be generated at no cost using a variety of free tools. Although there are some QR code generators that charge a fee for extra features, for the most, part it’s totally free. In this winter blog post, I share how one of my favorite, free, and quick ways to make QR codes is through the quick action option in Adobe Express.
Most Cameras Can Scan Them
In the past, you would have to download a special app on your mobile device to scan a QR code. Now, most smartphones and tablets come with built-in cameras capable of scanning QR codes without needing a separate app. This means that students and families can easily access the linked resources with devices they already own.
You Can Change Where They Direct To
Dynamic QR codes allow educators to update the linked content without changing the QR code itself. This feature is particularly useful for maintaining resource lists, homework assignments, and other materials that need regular updates. Earlier, I mentioned how you can make QR codes for free using a tool like QRstuff. To make a dynamic QR code, there is often a fee. In most cases, you’ll set up an account with a QR code generator, pay a monthly fee, and be able to log in anytime you want to change the URL associated with your dynamic QR code. Although you might never need to use this type of QR code, it’s good to know that it’s an option.
There is an Option to Print on Colorful Paper
Printing QR codes on colorful paper can make them more attractive and engaging for students, encouraging interaction. This can also be a strategy for organizing resources by subject, topic, or group, using different colors to signify different categories or difficulty levels. You want to make sure the colorful paper is bright, not dark, so there is still contrast between the black ink of your printer and the paper.
You Can Print on Sticker Paper
Printing QR codes on sticker paper opens up creative possibilities for their use. Stickers can be placed on textbooks, desks, or around the classroom, making it easy for students to access digital resources. You might create a QR code that links to instructions or supplementary materials related to a students’ learning environment. Then, you can print it on sticker paper to make it easy to peel and adhere to a surface.
Kids Can Scan QR Codes When They Are Posted on a Screen
QR codes can be displayed on digital screens, such as interactive whiteboards or projection screens. This allows an entire class to scan and access the same resource simultaneously. Displaying a QR code this way is especially useful for group activities, presentations, or guiding students to a specific online platform or document all at once.
Families Are More Comfortable With QR Codes Than in the Past
With the widespread use of QR codes – particularly in restaurants – families have become more familiar and comfortable with scanning them. This increased comfort level makes QR codes a more effective tool for home-school communication than it might have been in the past. You can use QR codes to share student work or class updates with families.
Great for Interactive Bulletin Boards
QR codes can turn traditional bulletin boards into interactive learning displays. At the beginning of this post, I linked to a few resources that highlight this strategy. Teachers can link to videos, audio clips, or additional information related to a bulletin board’s theme. This can provide students with a digital layer on their learning experience.
You Can Add QR Codes to a Flyer Like a Picture File
QR codes can be easily incorporated into flyers, newsletters, or handouts. Just like any other image you might add to a flyer, you can follow the same steps to add a QR code to a flyer. This allows educators to link to additional online resources, event details, or other information on printed materials. In my blog post, “How to Put a QR Code on a Flyer,” I go through the steps to follow.
Some Tools Like Seesaw Use Them to Share Work
There are a few educational platforms like Seesaw use QR codes to streamline the way students share their work. Instead of sharing a video or digital creation with a link, students can export or share their work as a QR code. This is a great option if you are going to display student creations on an interactive bulletin board.
Some Tools Like Book Creator Use Them to Access Resources
Book Creator is one example of a tool that uses a QR code to give students and educators easy access to their platform. Instead of giving students an email login, this acts as a way for them to join a teacher library in Book Creator.
Using QR Codes This School Year
QR codes are a simple but powerful tool for teaching and learning. Although we see them in lots of spaces outside of a classroom setting – think a menu at a restaurant – in a classroom they are small but mighty. In this list we looked at just a handful of things to consider as you start the school year.
From linking to interactive resources to sharing student work, QR codes can transform the learning experience. Although there are lots of reasons to embrace these black-and-white squares this school year, you might find that one of the features on this list is “the thing” that makes the most impact in your classroom. Do you have a favorite way to use QR codes or something you think everyone should know about them? Send an email my way – just sign up for my free weekly newsletter below and respond to Monday’s message.
