QR Codes

QR Codes - What are they?

Wikipedia states that "A QR code (abbreviated from Quick Response code) is a specific matrix barcode (or two-dimensional code) that is readable by dedicated QR barcode readers and camera telephones. The code consists of black modules arranged in a square pattern on a white background. The information encoded may be text, URL, or other data." (2010).

The QR code that people are most familiar with is the Blackberry Messenger barcode.  This code is used to add other Blackberry contacts to your BBM service as well as add on other applications to your smart phones. However, the first QR code was used by vehicle manufacturers to track parts.  These codes have come a long way and have become much more diverse in their purpose.


Many people can relate QR Codes to the more common, universal UPC barcode found on commercial products.  These codes identify specific information about a product, but are limited because of their vertical line design.  According to QRcode.com (2010), a QR code can carry "meaningful information in the vertical direction as well as the horizontal, hence the two-dimensional term. By carrying information in both directions, QR code can carry up to several hundred times the amount of data carried by an ordinary bar codes" (para. 1)

How does this relate to teaching and libraries?

There has been a lot of research around the idea of using QR codes in classrooms and libraries.  

CLASSROOMS

Marielle Lange created a presentation that was used at a recent inservice.  See that presentation below:

QR codes in education

Charity L. Preston contributed a blog post to Free Technology for Teachers Blog back in April that suggested some great activities that involved incorporating QR codes into her classroom.  Read that blog here or scan on the QR code to view it from your smart phone.

Also, Preston created a presentation also describing how to use QR codes in the classroom.  

QR codes in the classroom

This video shows a young girl describing how she uses QR codes to find useful web sites in her classroom.

IN THE LIBRARY

All around the world, more and more libraries are finding QR codes a useful organizational and informational tool.  With little instruction, students are scanning those barcodes to find out more information about the books on the shelves.

Here is a video that shows how QR codes can link library books to book descriptions, reviews, podcasts of audio books, etc.

http://itcboisestate.wordpress.com/2011/02/18/10-ways-to-use-qr-codes-in-your-classroom/

http://web20classroom.blogspot.com/2010/12/qr-huh-what-heck-is-qr-code.html

http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=qr+codes+in+the+classroom&aq=f

CONS OF QRs

http://www.imediaconnection.com/content/28604.asp

slideshare.net

videos

snagit pictures

how to make qr codes more beautiful - http://mashable.com/2011/04/18/qr-code-design-tips/

the qr invasion - http://stephenslighthouse.com/2011/03/07/who-really-uses-qr-codes/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=who-really-uses-qr-codes

References

QR code. (2010). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. [online] Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/QR_code

resource list (cheatsheet that includes....

5-7 articles or blog posts 

http://itcboisestate.wordpress.com/2011/02/18/10-ways-to-use-qr-codes-in-your-classroom/

http://web20classroom.blogspot.com/2010/12/qr-huh-what-heck-is-qr-code.html

http://www.freetech4teachers.com/2011/04/qr-codes-in-classroom.html

http://www.theorganizedclassroomblog.com/theorganizedclassroomblog.com/QR_Codes_in_the_Classroom.html

2-3 research articles

- proquest, eric, etc.

QR Codes Anywhere http://qranywhere.blogspot.com/

links to content

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/QR_code

http://www.denso-wave.com/qrcode/index-e.html

http://searchengineland.com/what-is-a-qr-code-and-why-do-you-need-one-27588

recommended blogs/blogger/twitterers

--> Steven Anderson - Blogging about the Web 2.0 Connected Classroom

--> Richard Byrne - Free Technology for Teachers
--> Nick Ford - QR Codes Anywhere
--> Kevin Smith - Coding, Design, Writing,and All-Around Awesome  
--> Joyce Valenza - Neverending Search Blog