QR Codes Series - Creating a QR Code

I use QR codes daily, several times a day, in my second grade classroom. QR stands for quick response and they really do elicit a quick response. I get asked often in my building about everything from how to create a QR code to ways to use them.  So, I'm creating a mini-series of blog posts about QR codes.  We'll begin at the beginning with how to create them and move slowly forward on the many ways I use them.  If you prefer a video, you can view a narrated screen-cast of me walking you through the process at the end of this post.

Creating a QR Code

QR codes can be created to point to:

• a URL
• simple text
• a picture
• ...basically anything stored online can be connected to a QR code.

A popular and easy site for creating QR codes is www.qrstuff.com

This free site doesn't require and information or sign in.  It walks you right through the steps to create a QR code.  

1. Start with step one and choose the type of data you want the code to point to.  Most popular will be either a URL or text. 

2. In the text bar enter either the URL or the text.  I just copy and paste the URL from the navigation bar of my browser when I am on the site I want to use so I make sure I get it all correct and don't miss type them. 

3. Choose a color, I've played with colors a bit because, well, color is fun.  You can coordinate your colors and make all math QR codes a color or codes for a center a color, the sky's the limit.  However, lighter colors won't be as easy to scan. My ipads seem to scan any color fine, but my Kindle's and especially Chromebooks have a much harder time with the lighter colors. 

4. Wait a few seconds for the code to reset. I watch the code and make sure I see it change after clicking the enter button on my keyboard. Once I see the code reset, I know it's updated. 

5. Download your code.  I click the dark blue button under the code that says Download QR Code. It then downloads to my downloads folder, like anything else you download from online.  It's a picture file. 

A few tips...

Insert your QR code immediately to your document.  I usually use Word or PowerPoint and I open the file immediately after I download it and copy the code picture right from the photo editor that it defaults to open in.  Then I paste it directly into the document where I have labeled what the code is.  

Here's an example of a PowerPoint I set up for QR codes directing students to audio for my listening center. 

The other option is to go right to the folder and rename the code so you know what it is or copy and paste to a new folder destination, also renaming it so you know what it is.  If you don't use the code right away or rename it, you won't be able to tell what the code points to. 

View the video below to see me walk you through creating a QR code for a URL and for Text. 

Google Drive and Docs: Sharing Folders

I have LOVED learning more about Google Education and all that is offered through the Google family of tools.  This has been especially applicable as my district decided to use the Google email and apps for education about two or three years ago; I'm just now realizing the power of that.

For the last two weeks, I've been learning about Google Drive and Docs.  I thought I already knew a lot, but I'm amazed at the new information I have learned.  Even though much of it seemed like little bits here and there, those little bits will make a big difference in how I am able to use Drive and Docs.  In addition, I attended the UCET conference last weekend and many of the sessions I attended were about Google Drive and Docs.

So as not to overwhelm, I'll share just a couple of the great tips that were new to me and will be so helpful.  They are all focused on using folders in Google Drive.  I hope that they will be helpful to you as well.  I'll continue to post about the new things I learned at the tech conference and Google bit by bit as I try them out myself.  If you'd like to take yourself through the course Google has set up for educators, you can begin the Drive and Docs course by clicking here. On the sidebar, you can choose to go on to the level 2 course or any of the other Google courses for Educators.

Tip 1: Have students create a folder at the beginning of the year in their Google Drive and share the folder with you.  Be sure they name the folder with their name.  If you teach multiple subjects or groups of students, be sure they add that identifying information as well.  Then, anything the students places in that folder will be automatically shared with you!  You get one email from each student notifying you of the share and from then on, they just put everything that you need to see in that folder.  When the presenter at the UCET conference told us this tip, my reaction was "of course! ...why didn't I think of that before??"  The presenter then keeps a list on his desk for students to sign up for a conference.  They list their name and the title of the piece they need a teacher edit or conference with.  He then can go to that student's folder, find the piece and edit it at any time.  Do I hear the angel chorus?? That means no more line at your desk or loss of papers to review and edit.  You can edit the papers right on the document using comments and students can move on to another piece or work on a piece that has been peer or teacher edited.  Students can share specific pieces with one another for peer editing.  The possibilities are endless.  You can also check up on students in their folder to see what they have done or are working on.

Here's some quick directions on creating and sharing a folder.  Feel free to pin!

Tip 2: Since they are web based, students can access their work anywhere.  I know some districts have student drives, only accessible to students at school when they are logged into a school controlled computer.  Teachers have access to these, but neither students nor teachers can access them unless at school.  Google Drive and Docs can be accessed from anywhere with internet.  Additionally, if students don't have access to internet at home.  They might take a school laptop or ipad home with them (if that is allowed for your students) and can enable working on the document "offline". Then, when the student returns to school, they simply turn back on online access and sync their work.

Tip 3: House your documents on drive and give access to your students.  No more additional copies needed, and in many cases, no copies at all.  Share a folder with your students titled with their class name such as "Mrs. Green's 5th Grade 2013-2014"  Just like the folders students shared with you, anything you put in that folder will be shared with students.  House your beginning of year disclosure document there and any other notes and items students might need access to.  Rubrics and project instructions could be there as well.  If it's a note from the school or elsewhere that you don't have a digital copy of, take a picture or a quick scan and upload it to that shared file.  Student's no longer have the excuse of losing it.  You may also want to make that file available for anyone with the link and share the link with your parents via a group email or parent website.  Just know that anyone else who stumbles upon your website and that link would have access to the folder to view it's contents.  Also, make sure your files are only viewable by others, not editable.  I'm sure you don't want students and parents messing with your documents.  They'll still be able to view and print what they need to without having the capability to edit those documents.

Thanks to Jen from Tech with Jen for leading this series!

See the link up below for other great posts about Goole Drive.

An InLinkz Link-up

Using Spotify in the Classroom

I have begun using the music website Spotify in my classroom.  You might liken it to Pandora or even itunes. Like Pandora, you can pay for an upgraded version without ads.  The advantage of Spotify is the ability to choose the songs you want and create your own playlist.  With Pandora, you can choose only a genre or type of music, not the specific songs that are played.

On Spotify, you may follow other users and their playlists, drag and drop songs from a friends playlist into your own, or create your own playlists from scratch.  You can play one song at a time, or play the playlist so your songs will automatically play on to the next one.  You can also set up a song queue so you can play songs from multiple lists or listen before you place them into a playlist.

My district music specialist introduced me to Spotify and has some great playlists that would be a great start for educators.  You can find her page here.  She also has a great musical education blog full of ideas called My Musical Magic.  My Spotify page can be found here, I'm just starting and will continue to grow my own play lists.

I've started using short 1 and 2 minute songs to time students between transitions and to play classical music as students come to class in the morning to start the day off in a calm mood.  I've started playlists of 1 minute and 2 minute songs for timing transitions which you can find on my Spotify page.  You can also find my morning classical playlist.

I found another source for 1 minute songs here as well. Not a Spotify list, but you might find it useful for transition songs.

Give Spotify a try and see how using more music in your classroom can help your students focus.  Not only is is great for transitions and focus, but you'll be able to quickly find songs to integrate into your lessons.  This will save you time and money.  I'm just starting focus on more music (and other art forms) in my lessons.  I'll be sure to share as I use more and more.

I considered creating my own video tutorial for using Spotify, but found this one below that does a great job.  It gives a great overview and some great information to get you started using Spotify.

Be sure to head to the next Bright Idea from Angelia at Extra Special Teaching

She's sharing tips on Organizing Student Work for Portfolios


Thanks to Shelley of Teaching in the Early Years for organizing the 

Be sure to check the linky below for links to all the "Bright Ideas" this month.

How do you use music in your classroom?  Have a Spotify account and want to share your link?  Feel free to share your ideas and links in the comments. 

An InLinkz Link-up

An InLinkz Link-up

Google Reader Alternative Options

It was recently announced that Google Reader will be discontinued as of July 1. So, how are you going to keep up with the newest posts from the blogs you love? Here are a few options:
(Many of these offer the option to sync with google reader. Be sure to do that before July 1 to save all your hard work in following your favorite blogs.)

•  http://www.feedly.com/  
• This is the one I've chosen to use.  It took me less than a minute to download the addition to my Chrome browser.  It automatically prompted me to connect to Google reader and since I was already logged into my Google account, it automatically synced.  Add the app on your ios or android device for ease in accessing your feed anywhere. Then, connect to Twitter and Facebook to get those feeds all in one convenient place. 
• https://www.pulse.me/ 
• http://flipboard.com/ 
• These two options advertise much the same options as feedly.  I just didn't choose to use them.  Feedly was the first option recommended to me by fellow bloggers, so that's what I went with. If you decide to use pulse or flipboard, or if you already do, I'd love to hear how you like them.

Be sure you're subscribed to your favorite sites social network accounts, newsletters and email updates. You'll find all of these options for following Dilly Dabbles in the left and right sidebars toward the top of our blog. Don't miss out on the great things your favorite bloggers are sharing, transfer how you're following on the web sooner rather than later.

Here are some links to further information if you want to read more:

Google's Official Announcement
Details on the options listed above
Some further options
 

Free Math Games Online

Bob at the Garfield Learning Portal sent me a message to inform me of his great game that uses a Rekenrek.  It's a great game focused on Kindergarten through Second grade students.  Bob said there will be an app soon.  Check out this fun game at http://www.professorgarfield.org/yourfuture/math.html  The first two activities use the rekenrek and the second two are great extensions to equations.  The Garfield Portal includes games on other subject areas too, check out the menu at the top of the page.

Blog Tip - Table Generator

Sometimes, you need a way to organize pictures or links or something else in an orderly way on your blog. I needed this for my Freebie page tab that I added last week.  I discovered this table HTML generator.  It was pretty slick.  You do have to have some basic HTML understanding as you will have to insert the code for what you want displayed in each box, but having the table generated cut my work in half.  See the Freebie tab at the top of the blog to see how it worked out for me.
 

Stock Photographs

Do you know about stock.xchng?  It's a great website full of stock photographs that are royalty free.  There are for sale photos as well.  Simply search the item you want and click on the photos.  On the right side of the page, you can click on usage options to see what you are allowed to do with the photo.  Most of them can be used for personal use.  My husband, a Jr. High Technology teacher, uses the sight all the time for his students' projects.  I used some of the images in my March Newsletter too.  So, take a look at stock.xchng and see if the photos can be helpful to you.

Class Connect

Have you heard about this brand new sharing and storage format for teachers?  It's like pinterest and dropbox rolled into one.  It's brand new, but growing quickly.  You can sign up for FREE here and join other teachers who are sharing their ideas, lessons, videos and more all in one place.  You can post your own too.  It looks like you can choose what you share publicly for others to use and what you just store for yourself to keep private.  I'm still exploring it myself, but you can connect with me at http://www.classconnect.com/DillyDabbles.


Erin Klein of Kleinspiration has a detailed post you can read also here.

Common Core Access App

Kristin over at Little Miss Glamour Goes to Kindergarten recently posted about this great app from Mastery Connect.  It's a simple way to access the core all in one place.  There are also some other amazing features of being part of the community including sharing of common formative assessments.  With the paid subscription, you can also have students take tests through ipad or ipods or have them take it with a bubble sheet and simply show a web camera the tests and they are instantly scored!  Go check it all out and get your own app here.   (I don't have it up just yet on my site because they didn't have my school listed in their sign up form, so I have to wait for them to add it. It will be added as soon as possible.)

**Be sure to visit and enter my current giveaway here.**

Permission to Pin

This is a note to all of my followers and visitors.  I'm happy for you to pin the pictures from my blog as long as they are properly linked back to my blog.  I've added the "Permission to Pin" button to my sidebar to let all of you know.  You are welcome to follow my Pinterest boards and repin what I have there as well.  See the link on my left sidebar to get to my boards.  See Laura Candlers explanation about why I posted this this here.

A Tech Tidbit for your Blogs

I have been struggling with my blog button.  I went to several sites who gave the code and then told you how to change it to fit your needs.  Well, it just never worked right.  Tonight I was trying it again...and I found this great "Grab My Button" generator.  Just go to this site http://www.mycoolrealm.com/sandbox/gbgen/ and type in the information and Voila!  you have the code to put a "Grab My Button" box on your sidebar.  FABULOUS and SIMPLE.  Yeah!!