Make Learning Fun and Interactive with QR Codes in Classrooms

The 21st century has seen rapid tech adoption across all industries, and education is no exception. Learning has exploded beyond the confines of the classroom. A 2023 survey revealed that 89% of K-12 instructors use educational technology in their classrooms.

This shift towards tech-inspired learning can impact how millennial and Gen Z students approach education. Teachers have seen more student engagement when transitioning from traditional textbooks to technology-based learning materials.

For today’s generation, interacting with technology is second nature. Including it positively in the learning process offers a distinct advantage. One such technology that is gaining traction is QR Codes in classrooms.

Why Use QR Codes in Education?

Kids as young as 10 have access to mobile devices nowadays. According to the Child Mind Institute, almost 91% of kids have a mobile phone by age 14. This makes QR Codes a potent tool for teachers. They can hold a surprising amount of information, from textbook materials and text to audio files and interactive PDFs. This versatility makes them perfect for interactive learning across all grade levels and subjects.

Teachers can use QR Codes in many creative ways. For example, you can use a QR Code for students to access project materials, explore a digital slideshow on a topic, find extra resources in the library, create a QR Code for PDFs etc. In this article, we will show you ten different ways to use QR Codes in classrooms. Before we get there, let’s look at the benefits of using them.

Benefits of QR Codes for Teachers – Simple Tech, Big Impact

QR Codes are a cost-effective and user-friendly way to create a more dynamic and differentiated learning environment. You can easily include them in lesson plans and use various learning styles and needs. Here’s how you can use them to improve your classroom experience for students:

1. For better student engagement

Include QR Codes in history lessons to link to primary source documents or virtual tours of historical sites. For example, if you are a science teacher, you can use a QR Code for students to access a 3D model of the human heart or watch a video experiment on photosynthesis.

2. Provide easy access to students

Are you struggling with lengthy URLs on worksheets? Include a QR Code that leads directly to a relevant online encyclopedia article. In another example, do students need to access a specific glossary of literary terms for an upcoming essay? A QR Code can remove the need for them to search through a textbook.

3. Engage students through various learning styles

You can link QR Codes to materials that cater to various learning styles. For a lesson on the American Civil War, students struggling with text can scan a QR Code to access an audio recording of a primary source document. Kinesthetic learners scan a QR Code leading to a video simulation of a Civil War battle.

Bonus tip: Consider customizing these QR Codes using a QR Code generator for different mediums, such as bulletin boards, worksheets, etc. You can also add frames, shapes, patterns, and colors to excite students.

4. Invoke self-directed learning

Embed QR Codes throughout the classroom to link to online activities reinforcing concepts. For example, a math class could have QR Codes on a worksheet that lead to short, interactive quizzes on specific problems. This allows students to check their understanding and get extra practice at their own pace.

Now that we’ve seen the benefits of QR Codes for teachers and students let’s look at ten ways to make classroom learning fun and interactive.

10 Ways to Make Classroom Learning Fun and Interactive with QR Codes

1. Ice-breaking sessions with students

A fifth-grade teacher in Kenya loves using round-table discussions to help his students speak and listen better. “Students sit in a circle and discuss a topic,” he explains. It can be a debate or a sharing of ideas. This helps students learn from each other’s viewpoints.”

So, how does this work? After your lesson, divide students into small groups. Give each group a surprise question hidden behind a QR Code. Students scan the QR Code to see their own question, think about it for a moment, and then take turns talking about it in a circle. This way, everyone shares their thoughts without feeling left out. It’s a fun way to make sure everyone learned the lesson.

2. Self assessment with QR Codes

This QR Code trick works for self-evaluation assessments. Teachers, you can include QR Codes that embeds the answer key or suggested responses for students to access upon completion. Students can scan it to check their answers and reflect on any mistakes.

Here are some tips to avoid students simply copying answers:

• Use pen and paper to discourage last-minute changes.
• Give answer keys on separate cards students earn after showing completed work.
• Make them wait to scan the code until you’ve had a chance to observe their progress.

3. Learning with QR Codes in textbooks

You can use QR Codes throughout the material or textbooks to improve your learning experience. For instance, students can scan a QR Code and instantly watch a science experiment in 3D rather than just reading about it.

For example, schools in Kerala, India, use QR Codes in their textbooks that link to the DIKSHA app. This app provides students additional resources on curriculum topics, such as videos and notes.

4. Learning through gaming

One proven strategy to engage students is QR Code jigsaw reading. This method is effective for quickly covering a large amount of information and engaging young minds.

Here’s how this works. You can assign page numbers to a Google Sheet and then generate QR Codes for each page. Print the QR Codes and cut them out. Each student or group can then scan a QR Code to determine what part of the reading they are responsible for. They can then work together to learn their assigned section and later share their knowledge with the class.

Here’s another engaging approach – scavenger hunts. Scavenger hunts are a fun way to encourage problem-solving skills in students.

To make a QR Code scavenger hunt, you can first create QR Codes that link to the instructions or tasks students must complete. And then strategically place the QR Codes around your classroom or school. Each QR Code should provide a clue that helps students find the location of the next QR Code.

5. Learning through video

Instead of simply including text in your worksheets, consider including video QR Codes. These codes allow students to access additional information with a quick scan using their mobile devices or tablets.

For instance, if you’re teaching elementary school and want to provide students with more details about historical figures – add QR Codes to your worksheets and link them to relevant websites or even educational videos. This approach makes lessons more interactive and encourages independent learning without relying solely on group presentations.

6. Turn your school’s gallery into an education virtual trip

Create a virtual tour or mini-exhibition right in your school or classroom with QR Codes. You can decorate different corners with themes such as countries or historical periods. Then, add QR Codes for students to explore.

For example, you can add a QR Code in your school’s gallery for students to see a Google Maps view of a famous landmark, hear traditional music, or flip through pictures related to the theme. It’s a fun and interactive way to bring the world (or history) to life in your classroom.

7. Encouraging collaboration in remote settings

Community-focused learning is an essential approach, and encouraging collaboration is key. However, it can be trickier to facilitate in a remote setting. Here’s where QR Codes come into play. Link the QR Code to create specific digital study rooms and discussion forums, and this way you can give students a smooth way to connect.

For example, if different channels (bulletin boards, projectors, etc.) are dedicated to various topics, students scan the code for their area of interest and jump right into collaborative learning.

You can also link QR Codes to Zoom for video conferencing and discussions, Miro for brainstorming sessions, and Google Docs for group workspaces. Easy access and focused topics are the perfect recipe for remote collaboration.

8. Break down tough topics with real-world examples (and QR Codes)

Explaining core concepts is more important than ever for student success, but sometimes, the classroom walls can feel limiting. For those tricky subjects, QR Codes are your allies.

QR Codes are used to explain a concept in a relatable way. You can link them to real-life examples online, letting students easily scan and explore. For example, if a student struggles with human anatomy – a quick scan of a QR Code on a skeleton model could reveal an interactive 3D model or an engaging video, bringing the concept to life.

This approach isn’t just for science classes. You can use it for historical events, complex machinery, or even geographical features—the list goes on. With QR Codes, students can explore real-world applications of their learning concepts.

9. Bring bulletin boards to life with QR Codes

Bulletin boards are stapled in many classrooms but sometimes feel static and one-dimensional. QR Codes can add a whole new layer of interactivity. You can include different QR Code types:

• Video QR Codes: Students can scan and watch a quick explainer video on a complex topic.
• URL QR Codes: Link them to relevant websites for further reading or research.
• Image QR Codes: Show historical photos, diagrams, or other visuals to enhance understanding.
• MP3 QR Codes: Include audio clips, such as primary source recordings or excerpts from relevant speeches.

This variety caters to different learning styles and keeps students engaged. Plus, QR Codes free up bulletin board space – no more cramming everything in.

10. Offer on-demand homework help with QR Codes

Homework can be a struggle, and textbooks don’t always provide all the answers. Teachers can create a digital library of resources – answer sheets, formula breakdowns, practice problems, or even short video tutorials – to enable students to tackle their assignments independently.

The key? A dynamic QR Code that links directly to this digital library. Students can scan the QR Code whenever they need extra help, putting them in control of their learning journey.

How to Create a QR Code in 4 easy steps

There are many online QR Code generators available, but we’ll use Uniqode’s QR Code Generator (QRCG) in this example to demonstrate the process in four simple steps:

• Pick Your QR Code Type: Log in to the Uniqode dashboard and select your QR Code type. Uniqode provides different code formats for various uses, such as dynamic QR Codes, video QR Codes, and website QR Codes.

Decide what information or resource you want students to access via the QR Code. This could be a website link to an educational video, a downloadable worksheet, or even a link to an online quiz. For this example, let’s use the website QR Code.

• Enter your details: After selecting “Website QR Code,” enter the URL you want the code to link to under the “Setup” tab. This could be your video section or any relevant web address.

• Customize your QR Code: Now for the fun part. Uniqode lets you personalize your QR Code. Use pre-built templates, create your design, or add textures, frames, or student pictures for better recognition.

• Download: Once you’ve perfected your QR Code, download it in the best format. Uniqode offers PNG, SVG, JPEG, and EPS options, ensuring you get a high-quality file for any learning use case.

Make Your QR Codes Scannable

• Picking the perfect QR Code generator: Choose one that’s easy to use, lets you customize your codes, and is dynamic.
• Size matters: Your QR Code needs to be big enough for students to scan. Aim for at least 1cm x 1cm, or use the handy formula QR Code size = scanning distance / 10 (find a guide online for more details!).
• Clear calls to action: A little text around the code goes a long way. Tell students what they’ll find by scanning with phrases like “Scan for today’s assignment.”
• QR Code power-up: These codes can be hidden anywhere in your school. Link them to websites, videos, or even online quizzes to make learning more interactive.
• Sharp-looking codes: Print your QR Codes in formats like EPS, SVG, or PDF for crisp, clear scans.

Bonus Tip: Test your codes before printing them. Scan them yourself with a phone to make sure they take students to the right place.

And It’s a Wrap

Learning shouldn’t be a chore. As teachers, you can create a dynamic first experience that creates a lifelong love of learning using QR Codes in classrooms. They transform classrooms into interactive hubs, spark student curiosity, make every kid creative and connect them in the learning journey.

A quick scan can take students to websites, videos, games – anything to get them to enjoy learning. The benefits of using QR Codes in education extend beyond the classroom walls. Parents can scan a code to access updates, assignments, and curriculum details, encouraging transparency and collaboration. So, start using them in your classrooms and see the sparkle in your students.