How to Create QR Codes in 7 Easy Steps!

IT'S SO EASY IT'S ACTUALLY SILLY...QR Codes have become extremely popular to use as an engagement tool for students. Now usually, I don't like to use technology just for the novelty of it, BUT when using QR Codes in a way which allows students to check their answer in a centre, or by linking it to sites with information for further research, it becomes a way for students to work independently on a task. THIS I DO like. QR Codes are a fun tool and really are only limited by what you can come up with!

WAYS IT CAN BE USED:  
1) CUBES: creating cubes with QR Codes on each side with questions, links, or problems to solve.
2) CARDS: creating QR Code cards that can be shuffled and manipulated. They may teach a skill set, and then the QR code can have the practice problem or answer to the practice problem.
3) QR "HUNTS": This is where one question leads to an answer attached to a QR Code that is the next one to scan in succession. (Sounds complicated but it's just a chain of QR Codes- See my example product below!). 

Let's break down JUST how shockingly simple it is to make a QR Code. 

HOW TO CREATE A RESOURCE IN 7 STEPS: 
1) Create your resource that is using a QR Code. I use Pages but whatever your program of choice, if you can insert a PNG file you can add a QR Code. In this example I am making a QR Code Cube. 

2) Decide what it is that you need to code (website and text are most common). 

3) Head to my favourite QR Code Generator: QR STUFF CLICK HERE!

4) In this example I am coding text, so I would select "Plain Text" from the left side bar. If you are coding a website, it's as easy as selecting that option instead. 

5) After selecting your option, type or copy your content into the text box in stage two. 

6) You will notice the QR Code on the right change. Voila! It's done. You can either download the file by hitting the large DOWNLOAD button, OR if you are a Mac user, I find it just as easy to screen shot. 

7) Then it's as simple as importing your QR Code where you want it, or I just drag and drop! 

HOW TO SCAN: 
You can use phones and tablets all as a way to scan a QR Code. If you are running a centre this means not EVERY student needs to have a device, you just need to have enough available for that centre. I use an iPad with my students and the QR Code reader I use is called QR Code Reader and Scanner (very appropriate title). However any scanner will work! 

And there you have it! 

LOOKING TO SEE SOME RESOURCES: I used this as a puzzle for practicing multiplication of three digit numbers by one digit. It was so quick to make I even had time to differentiate three levels for my students. Take a look!
QR CODE MULTIPLICATION PUZZLE CLICK HERE!

Wanna try your hand at the cube idea? Grab my free and editable Question Cube Template HERE!

And that's really HOW simple it is! Let me know what you get up to! 

~Miss B~