Using QR Codes in Your Classroom: It’s Easier Than You Think!

This awesome guest post tells you exactly how to use QR codes, and there is a freebie, too!

Using QR codes in the classroom is a quick, simple, and effective way to provide your students with interactive and engaging lessons. Our guest blogger shares how you can make QR codes and a couple of ways that she uses them in her classroom, for your inspiration. Read more about this awesome technology integration and how you can use it in your classroom!

I have been using QR codes in my classroom for about a year now. I know most schools don’t have tons of technology, and I am very fortunate to have iPads for my students to use. But many schools are slowly transitioning to using iPads and/or allowing students to use the technologies in their pockets (a.k.a. cell phones) during school hours (only for educational purposes, of course!).

In case you didn’t know, “QR codes” is short for Quick Response codes. You simply scan the code with your QR device (on most smartphones, iPod touches, and iPads), and it shows up as either plain text or a website. These codes are a great way to engage students and can be used in a variety of ways.

One of the easiest ways to get started is to create a QR code of a website you would like your students to visit. How do you make a QR code? Simply visit any QR code generator website (Google search “QR code generator,” and you will find tons of them). Here is my personal favorite. Once there simply type the text you want students to see or copy-and-paste the web address you want students to visit. Click “Generate,” and your QR code appears instantly.

If you’re familiar with Canva, they also have a QR generator. You can find it here.

I have been creating task cards for my students that include a QR code with the answer. Students solve the problem, and then check their answer by scanning the code. This is great for students who need immediate confirmation of a correct or incorrect answer. This also allows you to help students fix misunderstandings before they complete 10 problems all incorrectly.

I have also been using lots of QR code scavenger hunts in my classroom. I do this by creating eight cards with problems on one side. Then, I put QR codes with answers on different cards. Students solve the question on one card, and then scan QR codes until they match their answer. They then answer the question on that card and continue the search. This is a wonderful interactive activity that keeps students engaged and practicing those math skills!

Here is a little freebie, Money Word problems with QR codes embedded. Enjoy!

A huge thanks to Rachel for allowing me to guest blog for her! This was my first guest post, so hopefully I gave you guys some ideas to use in your own classrooms. 🙂 I would love it if you stopped by my blog sometime!

Hello! My name is Stephanie, and I (occasionally) write on a little blog called MathTeacherTimeout. I am a middle school math teacher to students with special needs. On my blog I share tips, tricks, and apps that I find useful in my little neck of the woods.