QR+Codes

QR codes, or "Quick Response" codes, are scannable codes much like UPC barcodes codes on items you buy at the grocery store. However, QR codes can be read by common smart phones and thus can have many more uses than a barcode only readable by retail software and scanning machines. QR codes can be scanned by a smart phone camera to send the user to a web page, a calendar appointment, another app, and more. This saves the user time from having to type in a full URL address or remember information for later.

Most QR codes are "static" - meaning that the data attached to the QR code (URL, YouTube video, calendar information, etc.) is attached permanently. However, there are now also "dynamic" QR codes, in which the person who created the QR code can change the URL attached to that code without having to reprint the QR code image or generate a new code. Read more about dynamic QR codes here. Getting Started with QR Codes Uses for Music Class
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Getting Started with QR Codes
Making a QR Code Using a QR Code
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Making a QR Code

 * 1) There are many free websites you can use to make or "generate" a QR code for various purposes. Some easy ones that do not require a login are QR Code Generator, QR Stuff , and GOQR.me.
 * 2) Choose what type of data you would like to attach to your QR code. The most commonly used data is a URL/web address, but there are many more options available: Plain text, YouTube video, Email address, vCard (electronic business card/contact info), vCalendar (electronic calendar event), App Store/Google Play download, Twitter account, etc.
 * 3) Input the specific data you want your QR code to display.
 * 4) Grab your QR code: You can either right click to save the image or click the Download or Embed buttons on the QR generator's website.
 * 5) Share your QR code: print it out, embed it into your website, Tweet it, email it, etc.

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Using a QR Code
You will need to download an app on your smartphone/tablet for reading or scanning QR codes. Again, there are many free ones available. A very popular app is QR Reader for Android and QR Reader for iPhone (also compatible with iPad).

The interface of each app is basically the same: point your camera at the QR code until it "captures" the data. Most have a frame to show the parameters of the scannable area to help you see how close you need to zoom in to the QR code to make sure the camera catches all of it. Try it with the QR code above! Once the app has "captured" the QR code it will display the data attached to it, such as opening a web browser to view the URL or opening up your calendar app to add the vCalendar information to create a new event. Most QR reader apps will also show your history of scans and some will even let you create/generate new QR codes from within the app. Back to section

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Uses for Music Class
There are many ways that this cool technology can be brought into the music class.


 * Link to a resource, website, or video for students to access quickly and easily during learning walks
 * Link to a calendar event and add it to your chorus contract at the beginning of the year so parents can automatically add it to their calendar
 * Link to an image of a completed worksheet and add it to the bottom of a worksheet so students (and parents!) can check the answer
 * Link to an audioBoom recording of a classroom performance, teacher example, instrument sound, composer biography, etc.
 * Link to a survey or test created in Google Drive
 * Link to your classroom blog and post it outside and around your classroom so students and visitors can visit quickly and easily
 * Link to any student work that is posted online and print out the codes for an interactive bulletin board

See more:
 * Ms. Miracle's Music Classroom: How to Use QR Codes in the Classroom
 * Education QR Codes Wiki
 * Ten Ways to Use QR Codes in the Classroom with Online Tutorials

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