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As most of you know,

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QR code stands for quick response code

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and it's a two-dimensional bar code

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that holds a good deal more information

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than a traditional bar code.

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They originated in Japan at the Toyota factory

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to track the manufacturing of car parts.

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Since then, they've taken off in popularity

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and you'll see them everywhere in consumer advertising.

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When you scan a QR code, you're instantly taken

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to a variety of tech-based experiences:

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could be a text message,

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could be an audio message,

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could be a web site,

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could be a video.

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It's like magic.

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The tools to create a QR code are essentially free,

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and the tools to interact with the QR code

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are increasingly easy and common to use.

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So, we have this great, free, easy tool,

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but what can we do with it?

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Teachers have realized there's a lot of potential

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for QR codes in the classroom.

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Recently, I told my class we would be learning

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some new vocabulary words,

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something we do two or three times a month.

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They let out a groan

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because it's kind of a boring activity.

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Then, I passed out QR codes to all my students

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and told them we'd be interacting with them with devices,

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and that's how they'd find their vocabulary list.

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The attitude in the class changed completely.

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They went from groaning and moaning

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to excited and enthusiastic.

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I could teach the exact same lesson using QR codes

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and not using QR codes

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and get a completely different attitude.

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One fun activity to do with QR codes

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is a scavenger hunt.

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I create QR codes with tasks assigned to them.

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I hide them all around the room.

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Students go with their devices

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and scan them and have to complete the task.

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Recently, I hosted a technology event at my school

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and held a school-wide QR code.

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Students loved it.

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In grades K through 6,

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they were completely engaged and excited,

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literally running from code to code

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because they were so excited

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to see what the next task was going to be.

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Students who didn't have devices with them

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were begging their parents

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to pull out their smart phones

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so they could participate as well.

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It was so refreshing to see

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that level of enthusiasm and excitement regarding learning.

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A creative use for teachers for QR codes

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is for positive reinforcement.

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Put up a poster in your classroom

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with numbered QR codes,

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each one leading to a different message.

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When a student needs some feedback,

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tell him , "Go scan number 5,"

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"Go scan number 22."

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And, the message will say,

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"Great job today! I love your enthusiasm."

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"Nice work! I can see you're working really hard."

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It's so much more exciting for a student

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to get out of their seat,

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scan a code,

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and interact with something

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for then the teacher just to say, "Good job!"

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It's much more memorable.

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Libraries have endless uses for QR codes:

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scannable book reviews,

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lists of reading suggestions

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and book lists on the walls,

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biographies.

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Imagine pulling a biography

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of Martin Luther King, Jr. off the shelf,

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scanning a QR code,

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and being instantly taken

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to the "I Have a Dream" speech.

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It literally makes learning come alive.

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QR codes can add a nice 21st century twist

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to a traditional assignment.

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Each year, I have my class

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create a poster for a book report,

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something we've all probably done

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at some point in elementary school.

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It's a little bit of a boring assignment.

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The kids enjoy it OK.

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This time, I changed it up,

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and the second step of the assignment

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was to have them record their voices,

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recording an audio QR code of themselves

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giving a book review of the book.

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They, then, printed the QR code,

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attached it to the poster,

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and gave the poster a hands-on, interactive quality.

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We put them in the hallway

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and kids from all different classrooms

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were walking by, scanning them,

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listening to these book reviews.

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It was so much more fun

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than just a traditional poster.

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My class recently had the privilege of participating

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in a QR code lesson

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led by a teacher across the country.

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If the video chat weren't exciting enough,

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the fact that she incorporated QR codes into the lesson,

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my students, from their seat,

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from the comfort of their classroom,

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could actually scan the codes on the computer screen,

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interacting with her QR codes from 3,000 miles away,

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was incredibly exciting and memorable for my students.

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They did not stop talking about the lesson for weeks.

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You just don't get that kind of memorable,

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engaging experience using a worksheet

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or reading from a textbook.

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QR codes have a possible use

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in every grade level,

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with every subject area.

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Kindergarten teachers can have their students

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scan a QR code that leads to a phonics lesson.

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The music teacher can create audio QR codes

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of their students playing instruments or singing.

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PE teacher can post real-time race results

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or athletic event results,

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all attached to a QR code.

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The student council or the PTO can advertise

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upcoming school events all around the school

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and send home on flyers via QR code.

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The possibilities with this free and easy tool are endless.

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If used properly, QR codes have the potential

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to awaken a student,

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transform a lesson,

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and bring down the walls of your classroom,

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creating the ultimate 21st century learning opportunity.