I’ve been noticing Quick Response Codes in newspaper ads, on business cards and even on T-shirts the last few months, but I was really taken aback to see them at NASA last weekend!

Although I knew what they were, I had never thought about creative uses for QR Codes. I associated them with direct access to store coupons, informational Websites or delivering virtual business cards via smart phones. Business, business, business… At the Computer Explorers conference earlier this year, we experimented with creating codes — a simple process which takes Internet access, ability to hunt and peck, 2-3 minutes of time, and NO techie skills!  More business … but I realized that schools could be using QR’s to direct parents to Website pages of student activities or instructional calendars. I didn’t really think beyond that.

And then I went to NASA, and a whole new world opened up! NASA is using QR codes to send visitors to areas of its Website to learn more about a specific project and to see related videos – you can access them on the spot with your smart phone! Good-bye paper brochures, good-bye lengthy explanatory signage, good-bye Website wandering … save the link for future access and you will have the information in your pocket- literally!

How to use this technology in the classroom?  In addition to the “old” teaching methods of giving students hotlinks via email and classroom wikis, or asking them to type URL’S, teachers can distribute QR codes as part of an assignment. “Access this code, read, listen, watch and prepare for tomorrow’s discussion on volcanoes.”  24-7 instruction with 24-7 access.  It’s the future!!