QR Codes
QR CODES are used for many and varied purposes. QR CODES (official title is - Quick Response Codes (btw if you click on the green writing - it will open a new browser with the definition of a QR CODE for you... yeah I think the technology is amazing too!), are bar codes that are similar to ones you see in shops and department stores. The code contains information that is not (YET!!) readable to our eyes... HOWEVER if you scan the code with your mobile device (using the camera)... the technology will transfer the digital content contained within the code efficiently and easily to your device. It is currently often used in marketing and advertising. Some really groovy people use it in Education too! The link often provides an image or a website address. It engages the viewer with more information about a particular product, service or topic. Using them in schools is often a format that engages the students in a way that promotes self directed learning and group work. Yes, often I have found - like most technologies they can appear a bit of a 'gimmick' - and if not used correctly - it is a complete waste of the time you have taken to create the codes in the first place. From my own experience I tend to use them once per week with a specific purpose in mind. The Treasure Hunt is a great opportunity to get the students 'THINKING' and I have used it particularly when the class is new or if I get new students to my class - it often overcomes any acwardness because the students are 'working' and not 'worrying'! One of the BEST things to do is to get the students to design some for themselves. Below is one of the BEST sites that you can use to create a TREASURE HUNT. Good luck - and if you have any questions - just email me by clicking on the link at the top of this page (the envelope to the right) or you can tweet me @sorafter. If you now scan the QR CODE (above) you will be taken to this page below... and if you click on the image below - it will also take you to this page...