QR Code Crazy!

Sometimes it takes me a little while to take a tech tool that I use personally and figure out it can be used in the classroom.  I wish I was better at that, but luckily there are many people out there who do that quite well.  So I follow their blogs and they keep me clued in. 

I get text messages from Sonic and other food and retail places about their specials because I scanned their QR code into my phone. (QR scanner app is free for iPhone and Android) Or, I can go directly to a concert web page when I scan the QR code off a poster or flyer.  Yes, I can be QR code crazy!

QR codes look complicated, but when I learned how to create one I was actually embarrassed that I hadn't done it earlier.  I use this QR Code Generator, but there are hundreds of free ones online.  Some even put cool pictures behind the code.  http://www.mobile-barcodes.com/qr-code-generator/     Notice the tabs across the top of the generator.  It defaults to URL, but you can use the other tabs.  Paste a URL in the generator, click create, and you will get a QR code.  Copy and past that code image into a document or web page.  When the code is scanned that device will go to that website.  WHAT??  Yes, it is true....that is all there is too it.  The possiblities are endless.

Here is a QR code I created that will take your mobile device right to this blog.  Try it....use your phone to scan it right now!

I found this awesome resource for QR codes from Kathy Shrock.  Be sure to watch the YouTube videos on the right side.
http://www.schrockguide.net/qr-codes-in-the-classroom.html 

Tony Vincent describes QR codes http://learninginhand.com/blog/learning-in-hand-25-qr-codes.html 

LiveBinder on using QR Codes in the classroom http://www.livebinders.com/play/play/51894