QR Codes

Brought to you by Angie Archie and Sandra Rahmaty

What are they?

QR stands for “quick response”. It is basically a variation of a barcode that can hold lots of information. You can link it to a website, message, video, map, etc.

How do I create QR codes?

www.qrstuff.com - There are many different sites to do this, but this one is pretty easy AND you can make your QR codes different colors!!

goo.gl - Has a few more steps involved, but if you use it while signed in to your Google Docs account, you can keep track of how many times your QR code was accessed.

Alternatives: interactive presentation (PowerPoint or Open Office), webquest, etc. You should always have an alternative planned for those kids who don’t have or choose not to use smartphones. Jackie would love to help you create the alternative activities or activities using QR codes!

How can I use them in my classroom?

• reviews
• anchor activities
• introductions
• information you’d like others to save to their phones
• motivational tool
• A longer list of ideas can be found here: http://goo.gl/VFOJM
• More ideas can be found here too: http://goo.gl/Ib9fm

To use QR codes, you’ll need to download a free scanner. Search your app store and find your favorite. I use ShopSavvy (I have a droid) because it is not just for QR codes. There are even programs that let you use the camera on a desktop or laptop to scan codes (such as QReader).

Sites with more information and ideas:

• http://www.digitalgoonies.com
• http://goo.gl/i37Lh
• Written by my friend Gwyneth!: http://goo.gl/517JE (more of her informative and hilarious ramblings can be found here: http://www.thedaringlibrarian.com)
• How a teacher used a QR codes for a scavenger hunt:http://ilearntechnology.com/?p=4211

Videos:

• http://goo.gl/0hn1w
• http://youtu.be/_X2AYmcoOkI
• http://youtu.be/9VPwzCF0zEI (they talk about this site: http://www.studycell.com/)

Try scanning this one:

A cute video about a Christmas scavenger hunt: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m08rU5ipX9o

A site that lets you speak a word to students!  I see this being more useful in classes learning different languages: http://qrvoice.net/

Kathy Schrock's QR Codes for Educators: http://qrcodesforeducators.weebly.com/

Discusses practical uses for QR codes in classrooms:    http://coolcatteacher.blogspot.com/2011/05/qr-code-classroom-implementation-guide.html

Anchor Activities

Brought to you by Charlotte Daugherty and Trisha Brown

MEANINGFUL work for students that can be completed independently (or in small groups)

Why are they useful?

• a student may have finished early
• transitions or stations
• allow time for you to work with a certain group of students
• provide reflection opportunities
• can be a teaching tool, especially for the kids who need help on basic skills

Work best when:

• Directions are clear
• Students are held accountable in some way
• Students are given some options

I know all that... Why are we here?

• to show you ways to utilize your Xtendas for anchor activities
• (while giving information to the Xtendaless as well)

Website of our Anchor Activities: http://york.conroeisd.net/library/anchor

A list of resources used to create this list is available on the webpage.

Sites we looked at during the meeting:

• FreeRice – http://www.freerice.com
• FunBrain – http://www.funbrain.com
• StudyBlue – http://www.studyblue.com
• Anything else you'd like to explore :)

Ways to hold students accountable:

Note: These are only suggestions. You know your kids...

• Use a Tic-Tac-Toe board to choose which Anchor Activities a student will do.  Example to the right (and linked on webpage)
• Learning journals
• Learning contracts – Example on website
• Random checks

Tips to manage online anchor activities:

• Monitor the students
• Only one person per computer
• Post acceptable websites. Don't let them deviate.
• Don't let them listen to music, even with headphones. You never know what else they may be doing.
• Limit the time each student can spend on the computer: 5-10 minutes maximum.
• Offer credit for a certain number of Anchor Activities completed, possibly to replace the lowest daily or quiz grade,
• Monitor the students.

Poll Everywhere ( www.polleverywhere.com )

This professional development was created by Heidi Pousson and Kate Halm:)

1. Model cell phone usage for opening poll.

• Take out your phone.
• Turn it on and lay it down on your desk.
• Do not pick up your phone until we have gone over the directions, and I tell you to pick it up.
• If you do not follow these directions, you will not be able to participate.

2. Respond to the poll.

3. Log onto: www.polleverywhere.com

4. Click on “Create Your First Poll” or sign in if you are a member.

5. Type in: What is your favorite color?

6. Click the 3 small bars to the right.

7. Choose “Convert to Multiple Choice” or “Continue” for open ended responses.

• When responding as an open ended response, you have the option to process the answers as a wordle or upload the answers to a spreadsheet.

8. Preview your options and make changes to your multiple choice answers.

9. Click “Continue” to generate your poll.

10. Click on “Edit” to the right to change the number of times a person can respond.

11. Click on “How People Can Respond” to view the different options for responding.

12. Click on “Views” to view the different options.

• To check participants, click on “Visual Settings” (shaped like a gear), click “Messages”
• This option is only available for open ended responses.
• It allows you to view the last 4 digits of their phone number.
• Before hand, you may want to have the students give you their name and number prior to participation.

FYI-

• A onetime text message confirmation is sent the first time you use polleverywhere.com.
• You will not receive any spam.
• With the free membership, you have 30 responses per poll.
• You can generate unlimited polls.
• Polls are deleted after 30 days of inactivity.
• With the free membership you have 30 responses per poll.
• You would have to create a poll for each period to utilize this.

Video showing the same things shown in the PD session.  The video states that you can create an account and it will allow 32 responses.  If you create your account here, you can have up to 40 responses...free:)
Another video - this mentions the 40 response limit.

Google Docs

This is by no means a complete description of the awesomeness that is Google Docs.  If you want to try something that isn't discussed here, feel free to ask!

Every student and staff member has a Google Docs account through Conroe ISD. 

For teachers -
Username: Your regular username
Password: emp(last 5 of your social)

Example: Bob Smith’s SSN is 123-45-6789.  His username is bsmith for FirstClass, ViewIt, and all that other fun stuff.
For Google Docs, his username is bsmith and his password is emp56789.

For students -
Username: Their regular username
Password: stu(last 5 of their social)

Click here to view directions on how to look up student logins in ViewIt.

Use the Google Docs Portal on the Conroe ISD webpage to sign in.

If you ever run in to a student that doesn’t have an account or their account information doesn’t work, let us know!

Types of Google Docs -
Document: Word, OpenOffice Writer
Presentation: PowerPoint, OpenOffice Impress
Spreadsheet: Excel, OpenOffice Calc
Form: create questionnaires and receive answers in a spreadsheet
Drawing: you can draw pictures, make graphic organizers, etc.

To share -
Click the drop down arrow next to share
Different options:
Share - Share with specific people.  Add people like you would in FirstClass.
Publish - Show everyone on the web.  Different documents have different options.

More reasons why we love Google Docs:) -
Automatic saving
No need for U: drive
Can use it anywhere with Internet no matter what programs you’ve bought
Can go back in time and see past revisions

Excellent article explaining ways you can use Google Docs in the classroom with a bonus video from Google!  Also has a link to Google's info page if you want more in depth information.  Click here


Visit the Google Docs Community YouTube channel for more videos


Automatically grade quizzes you gave using Google Forms with Flubaroo!


Create a webpage using Google Sites.  Here is an example.  Here is a video of a webinar to learn how it is done.