QR (quick response) codes have been around for some years, being popular in Japan. They are fast becoming tools for education with schools using them in a variety of ways to support teaching and learning.

They're quite fun, too!

A fun QR quiz for CORE Early Years Team after a day of meetings

The CORE Early Years Team, 16 staff spread across New Zealand, meet face-to-face twice a year. As part of the evening’s festivities, the team took part in a QR quiz called “Where in the world is Exec?”. Tania and I, QR code fans, wanted to share QR codes with the team in a way that was fun and entertaining, given it followed a full day of meetings. The two of us developed a QR quiz. A top secret mission was given to four teams who needed to hunt down and find which Exec member they were looking for, what they were doing and who they were with.

Each team downloaded QR readers on their iPhones, with the iPhones being the only tools allowed to read the codes and search the meaning on the web. Once the team had solved all four clues, they then needed to create a code and send back the answer.

It was a fun activity at the end of a busy day of meetings.

QR codes are being used in education

But QR codes have a more serious use, too! Examples of how the QR codes are being used in education were shared at the end of the quiz.

Some uses for QR codes in education

• Book review podcasts—the QR code takes students through to a student-produced book review of books in the library
• Links to websites at schools (Dunedin Library has QR codes to link through to their free wireless) so the web page opens up directly in whatever mobile technology you are using. QRs are used widely overseas for quick links to websites, and feature in tourist brochures, billboards, shop windows etc.
• Extending learning, or providing alternative links to subjects—for example, QR codes link to further information on subjects (teachers paste QR codes in parts of textbooks so that the reader can access a Youtube on this subject so the student can visualise as well as read)
• Ubitour books—(watch the YouTube video) where books have pre-printed qr codes that extend upon the reading experience so readers can comment on books, experience audio and video supplementaries that extend the reading experience
• In some countries (e.g. Japan) QR codes are printed on vegetables in temporary ink so the shopper can scan to find where the vegetables have come from. Products are being produced with a QR code printed on them that links to the web manual for the appliance or product.
• House sales: The QR code on the 'For sale' sign links through to a video tour of the house
• Bus/train timetables: you can read the QR code to find out when the next bus is coming to your stop
• QR codes are placed beside artwork so that the viewers can access an explanation about the work or artist
• QR codes on T-shirts that link through to the person's profile and contact details – we did this as part of our evening entertainment
• QR codes on worksheets that link thought to video tutorials that show how to complete the work or solve the problem
• Recording lessons/tutorials that are available from the QR link.
• QR can be used reference and get to understand the periodic table.

It is all about mobile technologies and accessing information when and where you need it.

QR codes have been around in Japan for a while now, but they are more widely used now; the uses will keep growing, and as you can see, there's not too many uses in EY education (yet). Perhaps you could comment below on how you see them being able to be used!

Want to know more and find out how, check out our ece online resource site.

Your suggestions for QR use in education are welcome

In the meantime, have a play and find this member of the Exec team, then add your suggestions to the comments below as to how you see QR being used in education:

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Tara Fagan

Advisor, Blended and Digital at CORE Education

Tara Fagan is part of the CORE Education professional learning team and Advisor, blended and digital.  An experienced facilitator, Tara works alongside early childhood centres and schools as they re-imagine their learning environments.  Passionate about engaging and supporting all learners, Tara is currently exploring how the maker movement, computational thinking and robotics foster and support the learning process.  You can join Tara at her breakfast presentations and workshops (hyperlink to come) or an in-depth eight week online programme that she facilitates with Ann Hatherly.

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