What is a QR Code?
QR Code stands for "Quick Response Code." Basically, it's a little box you scan using a QR code-scanning app like QR Code Reader or Qrafter. After the app scans the code, it will reveal hidden text, take you to a specific website, start an email for you and more.
How Teachers are Using QR Codes (Examples)
Lunch Count
Lots of teachers use QR Codes to help take lunch count every morning. They post the QR code that is linked to a Google Form survey asking students the date, their name, and what they want to order for lunch that day. The teacher can then easily send in the lunch numbers for that day.
Hallway Sign-out
Some teachers have their students scan a QR Code to sign-out of the classroom. Instead of filling it out on a clipboard, students scan a QR Code were they are either prompted to send their teacher information in an email about where they are going, or send them to a Google Form where they would fill out the same information. Since it's digital, a timestamp is automatically generated at the time they leave/return.
"Sorry I missed you!"
Leaving a QR Code on the outside of your door linking to an email, is an easy way for students to contact you if you are not in the room at the time a student comes knocking.
Library Book Check-out
Have students scan a QR code that brings them to a Google Form, Doc, or Email that allows the student to inform you which book they have checked out from you classroom library.
Lots of teachers use QR Codes to help take lunch count every morning. They post the QR code that is linked to a Google Form survey asking students the date, their name, and what they want to order for lunch that day. The teacher can then easily send in the lunch numbers for that day.
Hallway Sign-out
Some teachers have their students scan a QR Code to sign-out of the classroom. Instead of filling it out on a clipboard, students scan a QR Code were they are either prompted to send their teacher information in an email about where they are going, or send them to a Google Form where they would fill out the same information. Since it's digital, a timestamp is automatically generated at the time they leave/return.
"Sorry I missed you!"
Leaving a QR Code on the outside of your door linking to an email, is an easy way for students to contact you if you are not in the room at the time a student comes knocking.
Library Book Check-out
Have students scan a QR code that brings them to a Google Form, Doc, or Email that allows the student to inform you which book they have checked out from you classroom library.
How to Make Your Own QR Codes
1. Prepare your data. If you are planning on linking your QR code to a survey or Google Doc, prepare those files first. Below are some templates for you to use:
2. Go to qrstuff.com. (You do not need to log in to create your free QR Code.) The main page is the QR Code generator.
3. Choose the Data Type. If you want the QR Code to link to a website (this would include a Google Form), choose "Website URL" for Data Type on the homepage. If you would like the QR Code to direct students toward a pre-filled out email, select "Email Message."
Note: there are lots of different options for Data Type. Feel free to explore the different type of information that one would receive after scanning a QR Code. The two examples given on this page are the most commonly used data types.
Note: there are lots of different options for Data Type. Feel free to explore the different type of information that one would receive after scanning a QR Code. The two examples given on this page are the most commonly used data types.
4. Add content. If you wish your QR Code to link to a website (this includes a Google Form or a Google Doc), then copy and paste the URL into the content box. If you wish your QR Code to prompt a student to send an email, fill out the information that you wish to automatically generate for that student in that particular email. When a student scans the code, the information provided will automatically appear in an email draft on the students iPad.
5. You can change the color. There is an option to change the color of your QR Code by clicking on the color wheel. The chosen color will appear in the preview next to the color options. (Make sure you choose a color that can be read by the QR Code scanner.)
6. Download the QR Code. After you enter the content, you can click the download button under the generated preview of your QR Code. A picture of the QR Code will automatically be saved to your Downloads folder. You can then add this picture to the iPad template for your students to use in class.