QR Codes [2021 update]

​Have you ever considered incorporating QR (“Quick Response”) codes into your instruction? QR codes can be used to link to pretty much anything – webpage content, Google Forms, files, videos, contact information, social media – and can be useful in any instructional modality! 

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Jen P. and I opened our “Investigating the HyFlex Option” sessions last week by having all participants complete a “Ticket In” (this activity served a dual purpose: getting students in the mindset for the session, and tracking attendance). Using the QR code works great for any student participating in a synchronous class session –  whether they attend remotely, or in person – because all they need to do is point their smartphone camera at the code.

We also used QR Codes over the summer in Hybrid Summit, to provide laminated information cards for participants that could be wiped down after use. In both scenarios, we leveraged QR codes to help keep our participants safe and healthy!

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Here just a few other ways that I have used QR codes for my classes:

• Start-of-semester scavenger hunt: have the students locate your office, the Learning Center, the Computer Lab, etc. (Did they really go to these locations? Have them take a selfie while they are there!)
• In-class research: I provide the students with a list of the questions, and resource links to help them with their research, but when they are in class with me and have a paper copy, sometimes it’s just faster if they can scan a QR code that will take them to the resource page, video, article, etc. on their phone or tablet.
• Link to a survey: scanning the QR code could take them directly to a survey or quiz that you want the students to respond to (remember when Facilities wanted student and staff input on the paint colors for the Pecos Campus buildings? They posted QR codes so that passersby could scan the code and respond to a survey to vote on the color for each building!).

How do I create a QR code?

There are lots of tools out there – I have been using QR Stuff for years, but when I went to use it recently, I found that the free version was more limited than it used to be. A quick Google search on “free QR code generators” turned up a lot of alternative options (scan this QR code to read an article reviewing 15 different QR code generators).

I decided to try QR Code Monkey, because let’s face it, if I have an option with “Monkey” in the title, I’m going to try it. However, QR Code Generator is also an excellent choice for a free tool with no account required.

QR Code Monkey, like most QR code generators, is super easy and intuitive to use. Just decide what content you are going to use (the menu across the top gives you an idea of the many types of content you can choose from), Then follow these three steps:

1. Enter your content (for the most part, I use these for website content, so I chose “URL”).
2. Click the “Create QR Code” button.
3. Download your QR code image.

That’s all there is to it!!

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If it’s so simple, why does QR Code Monkey have all that other stuff?

Creating a basic QR code is as easy as 1, 2, 3 – the other features available are to customize the look of your QR code. Making the code fancy is not necessary, nor does it change the functionality of the code, but visual changes can be useful! You could select certain colors to serve as a signal to students (green is a survey, red is a quiz, blue is a video, etc.), or you can select from the available icons to let students know what type of content is behind the code.

Click the image to get the full PDF, "Creating & Using QR Codes [2021 update]".

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DON'T FORGET - if you have other questions about Teaching, Learning, and/or Assessment, contact the CTLA! To submit a request for assistance: https://ctla.cgc.edu/help.html

HAPPY TUESDAY, EVERYONE!
Mary