iPads and QR Codes in the Classroom

This month I presented my first Professional Development workshop at the Music Technology in Education Conference in Melbourne, Australia, on using iPad’s in the music classroom.

I had really great feedback from the participants and hope to do more presentations around Australia in the next 12 months.

iPad’s and QR Codes

Part of my presentation was on using QR codes to provide files and information to students or an audience.

Have you ever been frustrated when writing a website address on the whiteboard and it takes over 10 minutes for all students to correctly type it in?! The answer to this problem is a tablet device with a QR code reader app such as i-nigma.

I had seen these little, funny looking, square barcodes on cereal boxes, milk containers and in magazines but I had never realised I could use them in the classroom as an extremely quick way for students to access a website (or 20+ other things the bar codes can deliver to you).

 

All the students have to do is

1. download a QR reader, i-nigma is a fantastic free app on both i-Tunes & Google Play
2. scan the QR code you have created on a free QR creator website, there are many but I really like  www.qrstuff.com
3. The app will direct them to go online, or to wherever your QR code takes them

 

      

I download the QR code I create, then display it on a poster in my classroom see my example to the right:

This poster is a link to the Bushfire Press additional support material for the Pacific Harmonies module in Music Room: A developmental classroom music program Book 6 you may download a PDF of this here: pacific harmonies qr poster

There are so many ways you can use QR codes, directing students to websites is only 1 of them. You can create QR codes and place them around the classroom for

• quick access to websites (no typing of url needed!)
• dropbox links
• answers to questions (in text format not on a website)
• google map location
• app store download
• iTunes link
• create a scavenger hunt

Download my instructions for using QR codes in the classroom here: QR_code_instructions_10_2014

 

Teach to transform!

Cheryl

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