QR, or quick response, codes are a way to share information to anyone with a camera equipped device. QR codes can be designed to share a wide variety of information, including audio, video, forms, URL links, PDF files, and more (Burns, M., 2016).
Personally, while I’ve long been aware of QR codes, I had never really used or thought very much about them. I was only vaguely aware of their existence and use. I was surprised to see how easy they were to make using QR Code Monkey and QR Stuff.
While QR Code Stuff offered a lot of options for the code destination, you had to upgrade to a pro version in order to upload information to link to the QR code. Due to this limitation, I decided that I would have my QR codes link to my LIBS 602 WordPress site. I was able to choose the color, design style, and send myself my QR code without paying or upgrading. One of the uses that stood out to me was connecting a WiFi login to a QR code, which seemed like a cool and useful choose for stores, restaurants, and other public areas that offer WiFi to customers.
QR Code Monkey was also easy to use and offered color and design choices on a QR code creation for free. This site offered more design options than QR Code Stuff, allowing the QR code to have a more distinct and unique look, which may help to make the code stand out.
Both tools were easy to use and allowed me to make a QR code easily, quickly, and completely for free. I can definitely see how placing these on posters or other areas in libraries could allow patrons to access FAQ, help sections, educational site links, augmented experiences related to books or areas, library site, and more could be helpful and interactive for patrons.
References
Burns, M. (2016, March 14). QR codes can do that? Edutopia. https://www.edutopia.org/blog/qr-codes-can-do-that-monica-burns.
QR Code Monkey. (n.d.). QR code monkey. https://www.qrcode-monkey.com/.
QR Code Stuff. (2018). QR code stuff. https://www.qrstuff.com/.
I had only been vaguely aware of QR codes and their uses before this as well. Using it for an augmented reality within the library is a fun idea. It could be used for lessons in the library and just for fun, like tying it to silly activities for Spirit Week in a school.
I like the spirit week idea. That’s a fun way to incorporate a new technology with education and activity.
Especially in a building where almost all of the kids have a smartphone, I’ve found that qr codes can simplify a lot when it comes to data collection of any kind. Any time I want to provide a link to something, but there’s no message or webpage to put the link on, I create a qr code and hang it on the wall.
That’s a good point. If kids are going to have smartphones at school, it’s good to give them positive uses for them!