What are QR codes?

"A QR Code is a matrix code (or two-dimensional bar code) created by Japanese corporation Denso-Wave in 1994. The "QR" is derived from "Quick Response", as the creator intended the code to allow its contents to be decoded at high speed." Wikipedia

Read more from David Hopkins's blog.


You can create your own QR Codes at the QR Code Generator


It is recommended that you use a URL shortening service to generate the shortest possible link to use for the code


What are some of the uses for QR codes?  Here are some recommendations from David Hopkins, a Learning Technologist in the Business School, Bournemouth University. They work for students who have smart phones to:

• integrate students into the assignment and feedback process
• excellent way of directing students to content
• a book in the Library, a YouTube video, a library event.... 
• Place the QR Code in a slide that links to a YouTube video you want the students to watch, but you don’t want them to take up your valuable time in your lecture by showing them there and then.
• Generate QR Codes that refer to materials the students may want to explore, but you haven’t time to show them in the limited lecture/seminar times.
• Place the QR Code in your slides that links to the information about the core text for the lecture, details of what it is and where in the Library it can be found (floor, section, shelf details, etc, or even link to eBook version if it’s available?).
• Generate a QR Code that links to an online survey or question you want them to answer while they’re with you, and show them the results (like a CPS system?)
• Put the QR Code at the end or your presentation for the students to scan as they exit the theatre, that links to an audio copy of the lecture, or to the activity you’ve asked them to do.

QR Codes: It's Hip to Be Square

View more presentations from DIG - Engauge.

How might these QR codes be used for teaching and learning?

Potential Qr Codes Education Emerge 2009

View more presentations from andyramsden.

Here's another exiting way that QR codes are being used by book publishers:

Finally, an easy to use to which generates a QR code for a mobile-friendly URL:  Try Delivr to distribute a code that a mobile user can see and scan. I tried it using the URL for this blog and it instantly generated this short URL for a mobile device:
delivr.com/136ki   and it also generated a QR code which you can try scanning with your mobile device.

Happy Scanning!