How to Make QR Code Activities for your Classroom

What are QR Codes?
QR stands for quick response, and they do exactly what their name says.  They quickly get students to answers, videos, audio files, and various other educational content available online, thus minimizing the time it takes for students to check their work or find a location online where you want them to go.  No more typing in long or strange website URLs!  And, you instantly have more time available for learning!

How Can I Use QR Codes in my Classroom?
QR code activities are one of the EASIEST ways teachers can implement mobile devices in their classrooms AND they bring learning and student engagement to a whole new level!  Plus, they are so versatile!  You are only limited by your imagination! 

By far, the easiest way teachers can use QR codes in their classrooms is by simply taking worksheets they're already doing, inputting the problems/questions into task cards, and creating QR codes for the students to self-check their answers. Then, the task cards can be used in cooperative groups, scavenger hunts, posted around the room to get students out of their seats, or to play review games like SCOOT or Be the Teacher.

Some of my favorite ways to use QR codes include:

Need Help Getting Started?
For detailed instructions (with pictures) on how to create your own QR code activities for your classroom, check out our FREE user guide available in our TpT store.  

No Time to Create your Own, but You Still Want to Try Them?
Check out some of the QR code activities we've created, as well as the numerous others created by other creative sellers on TpT.  Simply go to TpT, type in QR codes in the search box, and prepare to be amazed by the wealth of QR code activities that have already been created for you to use!

Here are a few of ours:

If you have any questions, please feel free to email us at watsonworks1@outlook.com or comment below.

We look forward to hearing from you!

~Heather & Ashley
Watson Works

Engage Students with Kahoot!

One of my favorite new activities to do with my students using technology is Kahoot.

 

What is Kahoot?
Kahoot is a game-based learning classroom response system that can be used to assess students' knowledge in a fun, interactive way.  If you've ever used the CPS clickers (Classroom Performance System), then you'll love Kahoot because it is much more user friendly for both teachers and students and even more engaging.  And the best part is there's no pesky, temperamental flying saucer sensor for the students to aim at with their responses.  All you need is Internet access (wi-fi if using smart devices) and a computer/laptop/iPad/tablet/smart device per teacher and student/group.

No more clickers!

No more pesky, temperamental flying saucer sensor!

How do You Use Kahoot?
Teachers create a free account at getkahoot.com, and then they can browse through a selection of quizzes made by other educators or create their own.  (For a step-by-step user guide, download our FREE Kahoot Teacher Guide.)  Once they've selected or created a quiz, it can be launched and projected for students to view and join from your computer/laptop/smart device.  To view an example of a Kahoot I created for my library, click here.

Students join the game by going to kahoot.it and entering the game pin on their computers, laptops, iPads, or other smart devices.  Students will proceed to answer a series of questions by selecting the shape on their screens that corresponds with the correct answer.  As students answer, Kahoot ranks students by their correct responses and how quickly they answer.  This makes the game highly competitive for students and even more fun!  At the end of play, teachers can choose to download the results to an excel spreadsheet in case they wish to monitor comprehension and/or give a grade. 

Why Should You Use Kahoot?
1. It's FREE!
2. It's EASY!
3. It's a TOOL for formative assessment!
4. It's ENGAGING!
5. It's FUN!

We hope you enjoy using Kahoot with your students.  If you have any questions or comments, please comment below or email us at watsonworks1@outlook.com.  We look forward to hearing from you!

~Heather
Watson Works

To download our FREE teacher user guide, select the image below and download.