QR Codes

         What are QR Codes?

 

QR stands for quick response and originated in Japan and has recently become more popular in the Middle East, Europe and America. These codes are used in a multitude of places and are popping up more and more all around us. They are used as store front schedules, links to web pages and for marketing on items such as business cards.  I recently saw that my local pharmacy was using the QR code on their business card. Even my current job Carrabba's Italian Grill is using QR codes to help people in their wine selection for a fun night out on "Tasting Tuesdays." I have even imbedded one onto my webpage where you can scan the QR code and find yourself right in my blog. Maybe that’s how you got here today!  Websites such as qrstuff.com and qrcode.kaywa.com will allow you to generate your own QR Code as well.

  

It is absolutely fascinating and can be a lot of fun for everyone, especially students. I know this because I am currently a student and my professor had us go around the classroom with our smart phones or I Pads and use our QR scanners to learn more about these unique codes. The reason I say they are unique is because they are like nothing else. Compared to the standard barcode it can hold about 7,089 numerical characters and 4,296 alphanumeric characters, where the barcode only uses 12.

                                                             

But how can QR codes be used in the classroom? They can be used to play trivia games, go on treasure hunts or use a YouTube channel. I hope you can have as much fun as I did with the QR Codes and I am sure now that you are aware of them you will be seeing them all over the place. Good luck and enjoy using them as a new teaching tool in your classroom.