Are You Ready to QR?

Utilizing QR codes in the classroom is an easy and engaging way to combine teaching and technology! We blogged about it here a few weeks ago where we demonstrated how to use QR codes to make learning independent in lower elementary grades.  We are super excited about our course tomorrow at Resource Training and Solutions where we get to share many more reasons why we love QR codes in the classroom! 

As back to school time is upon us, QR codes can be very beneficial in welcoming back students and families.  A few ways that we think you could utilize QR codes at the beginning of the year:

1. Create a QR code that parents scan that will directly import your contact information into their phones (Angie has one on her business cards and as her lock screen on her phone!) Take it a step further and create a 'Meet the Teacher' or 'Intro to 2nd Grade' video, QR code it and then post it in your classroom. A fun way for families to pass the time as they wait to speak with you on the always busy open house night!
2. Place a QR code at each important stop on a school tour (places like the office, nurses office, library checkout, computer lab, cafeteria...) Have students in older grades or from the year before describe what happens where.  What a great way to introduce the school to new students!  Another way to utilize QR codes is for the benefit of your EL families.  We are in the process of having our cultural navigators create short informational videos about each stop on our school tours in different languages. We then create a QR code to the video, so when someone scans the QR code they are taken directly to that informational video. Thus allowing our EL families to hear important information in their native language, increasing understanding and establishing a welcoming environment for everyone!
3. Add QR codes onto all that paperwork! Creating short how-to-fill-out-this-form or what-to-do-with-these-papers videos and linking them to the mass amounts of paperwork being handed out to families can decrease parent anxiety about getting everything to where it needs to be. Not to mention that you could  translate any information into different languages so all parents can understand what is happening or have it available if someone isn't able to read.  Having audio can be extremely helpful to all families!

These are just 3 of the ways we utilize QR codes and technology in our schools at the beginning of the year! Join us tomorrow for Using QR Codes in Your Classroom to learn more! Not only will participants learn some of the many ways of what to do with QR codes, they will get to learn how to create QR codes--plus prizes! Always prizes!! And remember that we are always willing to join you at your school or staff development to help you integrate QR codes! Just check out our Events Page for more info!

We are also excited to have joined in The Secrets of the iPad link up! Click on the picture below to see what other great educators are talking about with all things iPad!!