QR Codes

WHAT IS IT?

QR Codes are those little black and white square boxes of dotted patterns that you see everywhere—on products, billboards, and advertisements.  The QR stands for Quick Response and that is what they were designed for—to give a person more information via the Internet on those items by scanning them with a smartphone.  Although created for advertising purposes, they can also have an impact on education too.  Besides, students have those phones out anyway…why not put them to good use!

Scan for IISD home page

HOW TO DO IT?

To read a QR code, all you need is a smartphone or tablet with a webcam.  Download a free QR code reader app.  Point the app at a QR code and it automatically takes a photo of the QR code and takes you directly to the web site, which you can open, share, or copy to a clipboard.  I recommend the free NeoReader for smartphones or free QR Reader for iPads.  It’s that simple. (You can also scan QR codes straight from a computer screen, such as these three examples.)

Scan for a written message

It is just as easy to create your own QR codes.  This is what you will want to do if using them in your classroom to direct a student to a particular web site for more information.  Use a QR code generator such as Create QR Code, and do one of two things—1) copy and paste the web address into the blank space to link to a web site, or 2) type in a message that will appear on the smartphone when scanned. Then simply click Create QR Code and your QR code appears.  Right click on the code and either save it or copy and paste to print and use now.  Add some pizzazz to your QR code by creating one that speaks.  Go to QR Voice, type in the message in the space to replace “say what?” Click the blue QR code square and your bar code appears below it.  Slide the blue circle to size your QR code.  Again, right click to save or copy the QR code.  It really is that simple….and FREE!

Scan for a voice message

NOTE:  Because of our school’s filter, linking to a YouTube video will not play in our district.  Also other videos that use Flash Player will not play on iPhones or iPads.

WHAT TO DO WITH IT?

Of course, not all students will have a smartphone or tablet, so consider working in teams with the team captain the student with the mobile device.  Elementary students could use an iPod Touch.

The possibilities for classroom use are endless, but here are a few ideas to get you thinking.  Students, as well as teachers, can use the QR code generators online.  And remember you can link to a web site, image, your own written message, or a voice message.

--Print out a QR code to give to students and parents that links directly to your page on the school web site.

--Create interactive bulletin boards.

--Jazz up the tired old poster project. Illustrate posters with some images or text and use QR codes to refer to more information, related topic, or map/graph/chart online.  Then exhibit all posters and have students answer questions based on the QR code sites

--Create digital scavenger hunts around a classroom, library, or outdoors with QR codes as clues to the next stop.

--Attach QR codes to a large desktop size calendar for assignments or daily sponge activities.

--Create a virtual museum or art gallery tour by posting images in the classroom with QR codes to the actual museum where it is located.

--Post a large map in your room and dot with QR codes at battle sites.

--Post an extra credit math problem QR code outside your door or ask an extra credit question in class and post the QR code where the answer can be found.

--Create an entire worksheet of math problems presented as QR codes.

--Use QR codes to link to tutoring or homework help sites.

--Present a question in class and have students record their answers on QR voice and email to you.

--Have students create 3D models and attach QR codes to videos for explanation.

--Use SurveyMonkey (also explained on this blog) to create short quizzes or questionnaires and link the QR code to it.  Great way to get feedback.

--Use QR codes in stations to direct students using maps, graphs, charts, diagrams, models, etc. online.

--Create a periodic table with a QR code linked to a video on each element.

--Record your oral instructions for an activity on a QR code.

--Create an interactive resume.

--Recreate the traditional tri-fold science fair exhibit, and attach a QR code for a video of the student performing the experiment.

Animoto

WHAT IS IT?
The free version of Animoto allows you and your students to create 30-second videos or presentations with photos, video, music, and text.

HOW TO DO IT?
Educators can apply for a free Animoto for Education account for use in the classroom, but before you do click on the Features tab to get a great overview of the program by clicking on all the links to the left. Applications are processed in the order they are received and may take a few weeks to receive an educator's code that can be used to let students over 13 sign up for an account. Students under 13 use the teacher's account. An educator account is good for six months and then just reapply. However you can sign up for the basic account and start creating videos immediately.

When you are ready to begin, click Create Video. Pick a Video Style that sets the mood for your video. Click Create Video and the click the small print: make a 30-second video for free.

Step 1: Select your images or videos, either your own, from the Animoto library, or from another website. Please remember copyright laws! You cannot upload your video to the web if you are using someone else's images or music without permission. Your best bet is to take your own videos and photos. Here you can also add text to your photos.

Step 2: Choose your music. Animoto has a large library of music to choose from (both with words and instrumental) or you can upload your own. Again if you are planning to publish to the web you should not use copyrighted music without permission.

Step 3: Finalize. When your video is composed, you will receive an email. The program sets your video to music with transitions to fit. It's just that easy!

WHAT TO DO WITH IT?
You can create videos of concepts from math functions to history lessons to play in the classroom. Many times students relate more to something visual rather than to audio alone.

Use Animoto as a free replacement for PowerPoint to create videos on biographies, field trips with your students, digital storytelling, science projects, commercial or public service announcement, simulated field trips, photo brochure of country, etc.

Although a student must be at least 13 to create an account, elementary teachers can use their accounts and students can create a video as a class guided by the teacher using the video projector to show the class the steps. Students still have input; the teacher just punches the keys.

You can share your videos via email, on a blog or website, export to YouTube or TeacherTube, or download to your computer for use in presentations.

Survey Monkey

WHAT IS IT?
Survey Monkey is a FREE online web-based survey software that generates surveys and question and answer testing formats. There's nothing to install. Just sign up and go! It comes with a variety of question formats. It also has templates to use, or you can create your own. Get real time results where you can randomize or sort answers. You can collect data via weblink, email, Facebook, or embed on your site or blog. It has 15 pre-set visual color themes and auto-numbering for pages and questions.

HOW TO DO IT:
You must register for a FREE basic plan which allows you to have a maximum of 10 questions per survey and 100 responses per survey. Get started by clicking the green +Create Survey box.

Type in a title and choose to use a template or create on your own. Next choose a color theme or create a custom theme. Then simply follow the online screen directions. Under Edit Page Options you can edit the page information or randomize the questions.

For each question, click +Add Question. (Click the arrow down button to add an image or text.) Then choose a question type. Type in the question and type in the answer choices (if applicable to question type.) You can also sort, random, or flip choices.

You can check to require an answer to a question or leave it optional. Make sure you check this box if you want a question answered. An asterick appears by the question. If the responder does not answer the question, an error message will appear before they can finish. You can also change the question size and placement. Now click Save Changes.

You will now see your question and and the answer space or choices. Just keep clicking +Add Question until you have up to 10 questions. You also have the option to go back and edit any question after it is saved.

Once you've finished typing your questions/answers, click Preview Survey. Proofread and make any corrections. You can also set a cutoff date to stop collecting responses for the survey under Collect Responses > Change Restrictions. Also under Collect Responses > Change Settings you can allow more than one response per computer which is recommended in a school setting.

To post your survey, click on the Collect Responses tab at the top and choose how you wish to post -- a copy and paste web link, embed html code on your web site, or show through Facebook. If you do not have a web site., the simplest is just to copy and paste the web link onto a word document and have students click the link to open the survey or quiz.

To get results, click the Analyze Results tab at the top. A basic Response Summary shows to tell total numbers for the survey. Click on Browse Responses on the left to see individual results. There is no automatic grader, but the the Browse Responses will show individual surveys/quiz answers.

WHAT TO DO WITH IT:
Ways to use SurveyMonkey in education:
* surveys of interests
*pre- and post-quizzes and tests
*gain background information of knowledge learned in previous classes
*teacher/student evaluations
*understand how technologically literate each student is
*practice exams
*project grading sheet
*survey prior knowledge of teaching topic pre- and post-teaching

Go here for more information on creating quizzes and tests. And if you really want to know ALL about SurveyMonkey, here's the user manual. Watch this video to tell more about getting responses. Scroll down to III on this web site to view some lesson plans using SurveyMonkey.

SafeShare.TV

WHAT IS IT?
SafeShare.TV is a free online program that removes distracting and offensive elements around YouTube videos and allows you to crop videos before sharing them.

HOW TO DO IT:
Locate a YouTube video that you would like to share with your classroom. Copy the URL from the address bar. Open SafeShare.TV and paste the YouTube URL in the blank space under "Enter YouTube video link." Click "Generate Safe Link." A new window will open with a new URL. It's that simple! The video will now play in a window all its own. Here's an example for "Reading with a Document Camera."

You have options to copy and paste the new address as a direct link or click on the +Share/Save button for numerous saving options including Facebook, Twitter, and other bookmark sites. Or you can opt to email the link. Or you can add to your Favorites for easy access.

If you only want to share a part of a video, then click the link under the new SafeShare address. Click the play button to start the video, then click "Set Start" when the video gets to the part you want to start with. Click "Set End" when you get to the part you want to end with. Then click OK. A new URL is then generated with only the cropped portion of the video. Here is the same example but with the beginning and ending cropped for "Reading with a Document Camera."

WHAT TO DO WITH IT:
YouTube has some really good teaching videos, but you never know what might pop up on the screen when a video finishes. Using SafeShare.TV guarantees no unexpected popups, no distracting videos or ads, and no surprises.

The crop feature allows you to crop only the section of a video you need to illustrate your lesson. No longer will you need to show long sections that do not relate to your teaching. Longer videos can be easily cut to size. And best of all SafeShare.TV links never expire.

SafeShare.TV only works with YouTube videos. TeacherTube videos, which are safe to use in a classroom in general but still have distracting elements surrounding the video screen, will not work in SafeShare.TV.