Visual QR Codes

QR codes  or Quick Response codes are great fun for kids especially in a BYOD environment when students can scan a QR code and head out to a location you have selected for learning.  A QR code works to send information to the person who scans the code.  In many cases it is a link to a website and businesses love the QR code because the mystery of where it leads is often enough to encourage people to scan the code and arrive on their website.  In schools QR codes are used by educators for many different creative tasks.  They can:

1. Lead to a teacher's class blog or website.
2. Lead learners to a page of selected research sites for students working on research papers.
3. Lead students through a virtual scavenger hunt.
4. Advertise a school performance, game or event.
5. Excite and engage learners!!!

I recently found a new tool for creating a QR code called Visualead.  Visualead is unique in that it allows you to create a QR code within an image or logo.  An account is free and the directions are pretty simple. I tried it and created a QR code that when scanned will lead to this blog using a modified version of the Muskego-Norway Logo used for our Twitter account badge.  Here is the result:

You can scan this code using any QR scanning app.  The one I use most often is called QRReader.  I have had pretty good success with it, but I know there are many others to try as well.