For some time I’ve been wanting to try using QR codes in my library, for book recommendations as well as for instruction. Everyone says it easy, but I’ve been scared. Why? I guess because I use my laptop all the time, but not an iPad, or other handheld device. I have found things I wanted to use, and find that no link was present for a laptop, only a smartphone or tablet. However, my entire district is going 1:1 as we speak and there will be iPads running around everywhere.
A Little Info
QR stands for “Quick Recovery”. QR Codes were invented for use in the Japanese auto industry. QR Codes are a replacement for URLs and text, making it easy for anyone to get to the correct location on the web. Isn't that cool?
A Little Info
QR stands for “Quick Recovery”. QR Codes were invented for use in the Japanese auto industry. QR Codes are a replacement for URLs and text, making it easy for anyone to get to the correct location on the web. Isn't that cool?
I made this QR Code with QR Generator, which is mentioned in "Using QR Codes in Your Classroom" on Rachel Lynette’s Minds in Bloom blog as the author’s favorite generator. Here is a QR code for that simple, short, not too scary article. However, to do anything with it, you also have to have a QR Reader, right? Right. Educational Technology and Mobile Learning gave Scan this review: "Scan is the fastest and most user-friendly QR reader and barcode scanner available. If your iPhone (or iPod Touch/iPad*) came with a built-in scanner, this would be it! Check out our site at http://scan.me to create and manage your own QR codes for free." |
I’m a Pinterest junkie. Pinterest is an absolute candy store for teachers and school librarians! Below are some of the goodies and ways to incorporate QR Codes in the library that I found.
Talking Book Talks in Our Hallways
This is from Library Voice, blog of the lovely and talented Shannon McClintock Miller.
For this activity, students wrote and presented booktalks in their classroom. Then during library time, they created digital booktalks using Camtasia Relay.
Shannon Miller really does some awesome stuff.
QR Code Breaker
This is a fun little freebie from Teachers Pay Teachers, but it would be easy enough to do your own. You could extend it to websites, images, video and more.
For this activity, the student reads the questions, then scans the code to read/listen to the story. Afterward, they answer the questions (which in this case cover characters, setting, summary, and opinion.)
QR Codes as Book Bling
Jennifer LaGarde, aka Library Girl, has a lot of ideas for using QR Codes on her blog. Paste the QR Code right on the cover of the book. It could lead to a review, synopsis, or book trailer. LaGarde says “ the first time I saw a group of students huddled around the computer taking a 360’ tour of the Sistine Chapel that was linked (via QR Code) to a book on Michelangelo, (which they then fought to check out), I knew I’d hit on something big.” She even has a bookmark inviting students to match up books and websites. Here's an example.
Do you ever struggle to get parents’ attention at open house? This is a great way to inform parents about your library program found on Gwyneth Jones’ The Daring Librarian blog. Each QR Code leads to a different aspect of the library program, i.e. website, twitter account, facebook page, etc. I would probably use it to share activities we have done in the library, such as Reading Bowl, MakerSpace, and Read Across America. Okay, that does it. I'm not scared anymore. I can't wait to go and try this out! |