Creative ways to use QR codes in the classroom
QR codes in the classroom enable teachers to create a digital learning atmosphere that would accommodate the learning styles of students in the digital age
As learners in the 21st century, students now lean towards a more independent and tech-savvy mode of learning, with information readily available with one click or one tap.
With QR codes employed in the classroom, students can access accurate sources and quality learning content. All it takes to do so is just one scan.
Furthermore, incorporating QR codes in the classroom brings convenience to teachers as these ease their daily workload.
How exactly do small black and white squares contribute to enhancing the learning and teaching experience? Read more to find out!
How to use QR codes in the classroom?
QR code technology proves to be versatile as it can be used in the classroom for educational and organizational purposes.
Anyone can access whatever is in the QR code with one quick scan using their smartphones, which makes this tech tool highly beneficial for teachers and students.
Dynamic QR codes are extremely helpful inside the classroom. Teachers can use them for a variety of purposes, such as:
- organizing their instructional materials and students’ outputs;
- embedding QR codes with links to educational sources to support students in their learning progress;
- using QR codes to opt for a paperless approach in the classroom in light of saving the environment;
- linking their quizzes and exams to a QR code so that there would no longer be a need for printing multiple copies; and
- creating interactive activities and games that would encourage students to participate.
In order for all these to actually happen, students just have to use their mobile devices.
How to scan a QR code
The students of today were born in the digital age; therefore, it is only appropriate to employ activities that incorporate the use of technology such as QR codes and smartphones.
Most smartphones and other mobile gadgets already come with a pre-installed scanner app, while others have an integrated QR code reader in their Camera app. To access the content in the QR code, follow these:
- Open the camera. Make sure that the device supports QR code scanning.
- Hover the device above the QR code.
- Wait for 2–3 seconds to open the content embedded in the QR code.
If the students’ devices do not have these, they can simply install third-party software such as QRTIGER’s QR Code Generator app, which is available on Google Play Store for Android users and App Store for iOS users.
Moreover, the QRTIGER app is a comprehensive and powerful tool that is not only for scanning QR codes but is also for generating and creating them.
Related: How To Scan A QR Code on Android Without an App?
Ten interesting ways to integrate QR codes in teaching
QR codes are flexible in nature and can be used in various fields, even in classrooms. Here are ten ways teachers can use them to bring the classroom experience to another level:
QR code for school: COVID-19 edition
Since the pandemic began, QR codes have become increasingly popular.
QR codes help in maintaining minimum health standards and safety precautions to protect students and schools from COVID-19.
The use of QR codes helps minimize contact activities, helping guarantee that students are safe.
Related: Detailed statistics report: QR code usage worldwide before and after covid-19
Advanced readings
Teachers can use the URL code solution to create QR codes with links to educational websites where students can access relevant learning materials.
In addition to that, they can also use the file QR code solution to create QR codes with slideshows and articles which students can use for further reading.
This allows teachers to encourage their students to learn independently.
Guide in speech lessons
Teachers can embed QR codes with audio files of pronunciation guides to help students in their speech lessons. They can also use speech drills and exercises.
These can be possible with the mp3 QR code solution.
Related: How to make QR codes for MP3 as an audio guide?
Reading activities
Reading materials such as poems, stories, and articles often contain difficult words to improve students’ vocabulary. Some of these have confusing pronunciations.
Teachers can then link an audio file within a QR code to guide students in pronouncing the word.
Moreover, they can also use infographics containing the definition of the word and a sample sentence using the word.
This practice guarantees that students are left with no confusion and questions.
Easy distribution of learning materials
Teachers can use dynamic QR codes to send learning modules and worksheets to their students in a more orderly fashion.
They can also create PDFs and Word files of their quizzes and link these to a dynamic QR code and set a password to it so that only selected classes or students can access it.
Teachers can do this with the file QR code solution.
Related: How to create a PDF QR code in 7 steps
Private progress report
With bulk QR codes, teachers can create dynamic bulk URL QR codes in one go for each student where the students and their parents can access a Google Sheet with their grades on it so they can track their progress.
Teachers can even add a password to the QR code as an added security feature. With this, teachers can guarantee the confidentiality of each student’s grades.
Related: How to create a bulk QR Code in 6 steps
Providing answers for students’ self-evaluation
After giving a quiz or an exam to students, teachers can then share the answer key with them by linking it to a QR code.
Teachers can upload a file containing the answers and use the file QR code solution. If their answer key is only short, they can use the text QR code solution instead, which can be used for free.
This allows students to check their own work and identify the items they did not answer correctly.
Related: How to create a Text QR code for free in 5 steps
Gather students’ feedback
Teachers can create polls and surveys using online tools such as Google Forms to gather students’ feedback and then link these with QR codes in the classroom.
The QR code then redirects students to the Google Form with just one scan. Students will then put their feedback in and submit the form.
Related: How to make a QR code for a Google Form
Alternative for class roll call
By using QR codes in the classroom, teachers can check students’ attendance. Place a QR code near the door where students can scan it before entering the classroom.
The QR code can then be linked with a Google Form where students can input their names for the class attendance. All the teacher has to do is convert the Google Form’s link to a QR code.
Related: How to convert link to QR code
Interactive activities
Take advantage of the fact that most students today use smartphones through using QR codes for activities such as games and puzzles.
QR codes can even be used to create a virtual museum where students can access trivia and facts about certain topics with just one scan of their devices.
Related: How to create a QR code game using a Multi-URL QR code number of scans feature
Why should teachers use dynamic QR codes in the classroom instead of static ones?
QR codes come in two types: static and dynamic.
Static QR codes are free and can be scanned an unlimited number of times. However, they are not editable. Once they are generated, users can no longer change the data inside them.
On the other hand, dynamic QR codes can be edited. Aside from that, they also come with a short URL inside which contains the information embedded.
This short URL guarantees that the image of the QR code is less congested and easier to scan. It can also be shared with others.
Moreover, they have advanced features that make them extremely beneficial for teachers, such as:
They can be edited.
The contents of the QR code can be edited without changing the QR code and the short URL.
Teachers would definitely benefit from this as they are constantly updating their instructional materials to keep up with the latest educational trends.
This also means that teachers can simply reuse a dynamic QR code for other purposes.
They can be tracked.
Data about the dynamic QR codes can be tracked. This includes:
- Total number of scans
- The location where the code was scanned
- When was it scanned?
- The device used in scanning
With this feature, teachers can see who among their students is present in a class by tracking the QR code they used for the class attendance.
They can also use this feature to check their students’ progress in their submission of outputs.
Related: Dynamic QR Codes Are Way Better — Here is Why
Protect with a password
Users can set a password for their dynamic QR codes to make them more secure and more private.
This is useful for teachers as they can create dynamic QR codes with contents that are exclusive only for selected classes or students.
Moreover, teachers can create dynamic QR codes embedded with an e-report card, set a unique password to each one, and send it to each of their students.
With the password feature, teachers can uphold the confidentiality of their documents and records.
Set an expiry
Users can set an expiry date to their dynamic QR codes. The code will then no longer redirect to its landing page once it expires.
Teachers can use this in giving interactive activities with time pressure or timed quizzes.
The expired dynamic QR code can also be reactivated anytime.
Email notification
With this feature, users will receive notifications on how many times the dynamic QR code was scanned.
There are four options in setting the email notification frequency: hourly, daily, weekly, or monthly.
Teachers can use this feature to guarantee that all their students have scanned the dynamic QR codes they have deployed in the classroom.
How to make QR codes for classroom use
There are various QR code generators that are available for use online, such as QRTIGER QR Code Generator, the best QR code generator with a logo.
QRTIGER offers various QR code solutions teachers can choose from and customization tools that allow them to personalize their QR code.
Here is a detailed guide in creating QR codes for classroom use:
1. Go to QRTIGER.
QRITGER QR code generator is the best choice for creating dynamic QR codes. It offers 15 QR code solutions and customization tools.
It is also straightforward and user-friendly. Beginners will have no problems using this.
2. Select the needed QR code solution.
Each QR code solution caters to a certain type of digital information.
For instance, the file QR code solution allows users to upload files to the generator, which converts them to a link. The link will then be the information within the QR code.
3. Enter what the solution requires.
For file QR code solutions, simply click the “Upload your file” button. When using websites, copy the link and paste it on the entry bar.
4. Switch to dynamic QR code.
Go for dynamic QR codes since they are more useful due to their advanced features.
5. Click the “Generate QR code” button.
Simply click the button to create the QR code.
6. Customize the QR code.
Add a personal touch to QR codes to make them more appealing.
Set the foreground and background colors, integrate a logo, and add a frame and a call to action or CTA.
Never overlook what a call to action can do. A simple CTA such as “Scan Me” greatly helps in engaging students to actually scan the code.
7. Perform a scan test.
Scan the QR code with a smartphone first to see if it works.
This enables teachers to fix any errors or resolve any issues that may arise before actually deploying them in the classroom.
8. Download the QR code.
If the QR code is up and running, teachers can then download it and start using it in their classrooms for a variety of purposes.
How to create bulk QR codes for classroom use
With bulk QR codes, teachers can generate several unique QR codes in one go. This allows them to create specific QR codes for each of their students.
Here is how to create a bulk QR code with QRTIGER:
- Go to QRTIGER and download a template for the bulk QR code.
2. On Microsoft Excel, edit the template and put the required data (URLs, vCard, text, number). This will determine the number of QR codes that will be generated.
3. Save the template as a comma-separated values (CSV) file.
4. Upload the CSV file on the bulk QR code solution.
5. Select “dynamic QR code” to enjoy its advanced features.
6. Click “Generate bulk QR code”.
7. Customize the QR code.
8. Download the QR code. It will be saved as a .zip file.
9. Extract the .zip file and deploy the QR codes.
Teachers can then go to the dashboard and track the dynamic bulk QR codes.
QRTIGER offers four templates for bulk QR codes:
- URL QR code
- vCard QR code
- Number QR code
- Text QR code
Related: How to use a bulk QR code generator?
Benefits of QR codes in the classroom
The use of QR codes in the classroom opens up numerous opportunities for improvement. When used properly and efficiently, these could come with many benefits. Here are some of them:
Differentiated instruction
Since students have unique learning styles, teachers must employ varied instructional materials to accommodate their differing needs.
With QR codes in the classroom, teachers can link varied materials such as articles, videos, and audio materials from the web to aid their learning.
The social media QR code greatly helps in doing this.
Instead of linking social media profiles, teachers can use the custom URL option to upload the web links of their online resources. They can also customize the logo that will appear on the left side of each link.
Sufficient and accurate content
Some students want to learn more than what is written on the learning materials.
Teachers can then embed QR codes with URLs of educational websites that would supplement the content in the books.
By doing this, teachers have total control over what links to embed, which means they can select verified and accurate content on the web to guarantee that what the students read is precise.
QR codes for classroom management
Teachers can use QR codes for classroom management. They can opt for QR codes in activities such as checking students’ attendance and informing them of their grades.
They can also use QR codes to provide instructions and evaluations to their students.
Share resources
QR codes allow teachers to share relevant educational sources such as websites and videos for their students’ further readings.
Save the trees
When teachers give students a QR code that leads them to the instructions, announcements, or assignments instead of printing more than they need, they are saving a lot of paper.
It can help them conserve space on their walls while also making your classroom more environmentally friendly.
QR code generator for teachers for free
QRTIGER offers a QR code generator for teachers free of charge. Teachers can use the QRTIGER QR Code generator to create QR codes for their daily classroom routine.
However, they can only create static QR codes. Static QR codes are not that bad, it is just that they do not come with advanced features, and this limits their capabilities in the classroom.
Dynamic QR codes, on the other hand, are great for use in the classroom because they come with innovative features that teachers can use to improve their teaching performance.
However, one must subscribe to a plan first before one can generate these codes.
Fortunately, QRTIGER offers a free trial where users have access to three dynamic QR codes.
Here is the catch, though: each free dynamic QR code limits the number of scans to 100. Furthermore, users do not have access to the advanced features of a paid dynamic QR code.
However, they are still trackable.
A static QR code for free sounds great, but when it comes to functionality and convenience, dynamic QR codes are the better choice.
With dynamic QR codes, teachers can create a fun and interesting learning experience for their 21st-century students.
Conclusion
As the world continues to move towards digitalization, more people use smartphones and gadgets in their daily lives, and QR codes are on the constant rise as the leading tool in link management.
It would be wise to take advantage of this technological advancement and apply it in various fields such as in the education sector to bring ease and efficiency to the processes involved in them.
With QR codes in classrooms, education in the 21st century will become a wonderful experience for both teachers and students.
QRTIGER offers subscription plans at reasonable prices. Avail one today or register for a free trial and start generating dynamic QR codes!
