Spreading the News with

 What's black and white and read all over?  Five years ago the answer was a newspaper, but times have changed.  Now the answer is…a QR code.

 QR code is a two-dimensional barcode.  QR stands for “quick response”.  Began in 1994 in Japan to track vehicle parts  A pattern of modules that are alphanumeric characters  Makes a printed copy become interactive  Can be read vertical or horizontal

 Low Technology investment and making a code is free  With the help of a smartphone, iPad, or iTouch users can download a free app that enables them to scan the barcode, which directs them to a Web site of the creator’s choosing: video, audio recording, digital poster - virtually anything with a dotcom address. Why So Popular?

QR Codes Share Websites Text Messages Audio and Video Files

 Include a QR code in every print ad and direct mail campaign. The interested reader can scan the code and go directly to your web page that might include text, pictures, a short video or an inquiry form.

 Use a QR code on your business card so that your contact information could be uploaded by anyone who scans the code— your prospective parents, current parents, community, and anyone else. It could even take them to a webpage with a short video greeting from you.

 Post QR codes throughout your campus to provide parents and students with information and video testimonials of what goes on in the classrooms, labs, and on the athletic fields.

 Post a QR code at the main points of entry on your campus directing your parents to access your most recent newsletter, get the latest announcements, or be given some direction like – ”report to office after entering the school”.

 On your school’s site promote an event and then make flyers with the QR codes and a message like, “Scan this code with your mobile device to find out what’s happening at school this week!”

Put some QR codes around the school. One in the entrance - linking to a text of the school mission statement or URL of school website. One in the corridor - linking to school vision. One (or more) outside every classroom with planning of work being completed within, audio of music compositions or poetry recitals, slideshows of artwork etc. One in the library with associated audio clips of pupil book reviews.... Give visitors/inspectors a device when they arrive. Create a virtual tour of the school

 Want to pass on lot of links within a newsletter to convey what the children are learning, PBS suggestions, or calendar events.  Even with them all shortened it would have been tricky for parents to type.  So I make a QR code for a website and let the parents see the links on their phones. Lots of Links

 Challenge your students to come up with creative ways to share important school information using QR codes.  Club Information  Student Interest Pieces  Classroom Events  Fund Raisers

 Smartphone with QR reader app.  Desktop or laptop with webcam and reader software.  iTouch with camera and reader app.

DeviceApp Name Blackberry or Nokia(No App) built in Windows Mobilei-nigma / ScanLife Androidi-nigma / QuickMark/ QR Droid Private iPhonei-nigma/Mirascape / QR Reader

 Be careful not to release student information or location of individual students.  Make sure any media that is student created is posted in within the district.

 Use Google.  Go to  Paste your URL and click “Shorten”.  Copy your new short link and paste in the address bar. (Example:  Add.qr to the end of your new link.  Hit Enter.

How to use QRreader: 1: Make sure you have a working webcam and Adobe AIR installed. 2: Download and install QRreader. 3: Get a scan-able QR code (generated on a device, or printed) 4: Hold up the QR code to your webcam. Make sure your webcam can see the entire code, and that your code is evenly lit. 5: If your webcam sees the code, the white brackets will turn red. Then you will hear a *beep* sound once the code has been read properly.webcam Adobe AIRDownloadQR code

 Create a survey using ‘Google Docs Form’ and then link to that form using a QR code. Students and parents can easily access the survey.  Remember: Collection of personal information is prohibited.