Creating Task Cards Using QR Codes

Hey y'all!

Who is ready for this week's #TechTipsTuesday?

This week's tip is one requested by you guys.

I am excited to show you how to create your own task cards using QR Codes. These task cards have the ability to shift the responsibility of learning from your shoulders to your students.  Using QR Codes allows students to check their own work and encourages them to find and learn from their mistakes.

Let's get started.

First, you will need to decide what concept/topic you want to use for your task cards and start creating those task cards using PowerPoint.

If you don't know how to create task cards in PowerPoint, let me know.  I'll do a #TechTipsTuesday about that soon.

Now it's time for the fun part.  Creating and inserting those QR Codes.

I'm going to create a code for Card 1.  The purpose of the QR Code on task cards is to reveal the answer to students so they can check their work without needing you.  This frees you up to work with small groups or even individual students.

You may be thinking to yourself...

Can't they just scan the code and have the answer without doing any work?

Yes.  

They can.

This is why it is crucial to discuss the importance of doing the work and learning from their mistakes.  Build a sense of ownership within your students.

Because the purpose is to reveal the answer the first step in creating the code for Card 1 is to know the answer for that card.

In this case the answer is 34.54 feet.

Now that we have the answer we are going to open up a web browser and search for qr code generator.

I like to use that first option that appears in the search.  There might be one out there that is infinitely better, but that first one is free and easy to use so I'll take it.

After you've clicked on that first option you will see that there are several different ways you can use QR Codes.  They can send your students to a website, to a image, or play a song.  

The uses are endless.

For our task cards we want the QR Code to lead to text.  

Choose text and then type the answer into the blank box.

Once you have entered your text (the answer) click the green bar that says "CREATE QR CODE".

The QR Code on the right will darken up and appear black.

Below the QR Code you can customize it if you prefer a different look.  You can add a frame that says "Scan Me" or change the color if you are printing using a colored printer.  

I prefer to leave it as it is for my task cards.  

After you customize it to your liking click the green bar below it that says "DOWNLOAD JPG".

A pop up box will immediately appear saying it will download soon.  You can exit out of that at any time.

You are finished creating your QR Code.  Now it's time to insert it into your task card.

Remember we downloaded it as a JPEG.

Go back to your task cards and INSERT PICTURE

Your QR Code will be in your downloads folder.

Just choose your code and then select open.

It will be inserted into your PowerPoint and will be bigger than you need.

Your last step is to make it smaller and then drag it to the correct card.

That's all there is too it.

Now if you are still a little unsure of some steps or want a few more tips, you might want to check out this video I created showing you step by step.  I don't know about you, but sometimes I need to see it being done.

Want to try out some task cards before creating your own?

Check out these that I've already created for you.

Check out this blog post to see other ways you can use QR Codes in your classroom.

If you have any questions about QR Codes leave me a comment and I'll get back to you soon.