QR Codes & i-nigma

Technology Tip of the Week: QR Codes in the Classroom

How do I scan a QR Code?

You can scan a QR code with a phone or tablet using any QR Reader App. i-nigma is an excellent scanner you can add you your iPad or iPhone to be able to scan the QR codes on this page. Go ahead and try the ones below!

What is a QR Code?

QR stands for Quick Response. A QR Code is a 2-dimensional bar code. 

Like this one -

Instead of holding only a small amount of information like a traditional bar code, it can hold several hundred times that amount!  QR codes are seen everywhere from movie posters to product packages and can be a great tool in your classroom!

QR Codes can link to text!

QR Codes can link to anything on the internet!

Like this website QR:

Or this YouTube QR:

Or this image QR:

How do I create QR Code?

You can create a QR code using a QR Creator online. There are many QR Creators to choose from with different features.  

Here are a two of our favorite QR Creators:

• QR Stuff - A simple online tool to create a QR Code. The QR code is an image file you can download to your computer to use.

• Tammy Worcester's Batch QR Spreadsheet - This is a google spreadsheet that can create multiple QR codes.

How can I use these in my classroom?

There are many ways to use QR Codes in the classroom!  

Check out these sites for ideas:

• 25 Ideas

• Kathy Schrock's QR Code Page

• Audio Files with QR Codes

• QR Code Treasure Hunt Generator

App of the Week: i-nigma

App Store Link:

• Click here to download i-nigma  

Description:

• Scan QR Codes
• Keep track of the codes you scan

Integration Ideas:

• Students scan QR codes to see the answer to a question/problem.
• Students scan QR codes to watch a tutorial video.
• Students create QR codes to video reflections and put the printed QR code on their work in the hallway.
• Students create book trailer videos and attach them to classroom books.

Technology Tip of the Week: Graphic Organizers using Google Drawing

You can create, share and edit drawings with Google Drawings.  There are also templates of graphic organizers that have already been created on the web.  For example, a Venn Diagram can be created to show similarities and differences on a topic.  This can be done in a digital format.  In this Ditch That Textbook article, by Matt Miller, there are templates of graphic organizers and instructions on how to add them to your Google Drive.

App of the Week: Skitch

App Store Link: 

• Click here to download Skitch

Description:

• Skitch is a free app that allows you to draw or write on top of photos, screenshots, PDFs and webpages.  It can also be used as a whiteboard.  There are features including shapes and arrows that can be used to help explain a thought or concept.  It is a great tool for students to label or highlight important information.  Once complete, the Skitch can be saved to the photo roll, emailed, or shared with other apps, including Google Drive.  

Examples:

• Using Skitch in Your Classroom

Integration Ideas:

Skitch can be used in all content areas.  Some examples include:

• Math: Use the Draw feature to illustrate and solve problems or draw and label shapes
• Language Arts: Illustrate vocabulary words, create thinking maps
• Science: Label pictures, create diagrams
• Social Studies: Identify points of interest on maps, label regions or landforms

Support:

• Getting Started with Skitch

SmartScope/iGO

Technology Tip of the Week: SmartScope/iGO

SmartScope and SmartScope iGO  are hand held digital microscopes that are very easy to use.  SmartScope connects USB to a desktop or laptop computer to allow for easy, crystal clear viewing of magnified images.  The SmartScope iGO connects wirelessly to an iPad which allows for viewing of objects throughout the campus.  Each campus has 6 USB SmartScopes and 5 iGO wireless scopes. Check with your Science lead teacher for more info about the scopes.  Your campus DLS can also provide hands on training if needed.

Note: When using the new student laptops with the SmartScope, teachers must first log in to the laptop with their network credentials and plug in the SmartScope to allow the scopes's drivers to load properly.  After the drivers load, teachers can then log back into the laptop with the lab xxx login.

App of the Week: Wi-Viewer  

App Store Link:  

• Click here to download Wi-Viewer

Description:

Wi-Viewer is an app for the wireless iGO handheld microscope. It is available for both iPhone and iPad series.  The iGO connects to the iDevice wirelessly to display and capture both  photographs and video.  Teachers and students can share the magnified image of the specimens immediately.

Examples:

• SmartScope in Action

Integration Ideas:

• Science
• Zoom into a variety of materials: leaves, bugs, food, dirt, etc
• Use the time lapse video feature to watch changes take place over time
• Use the camera feature to document parts of a specimen
• ELAR
• Students use image as story starter
• Students use Padlet to list as many adjectives that describe displayed image
• Social Studies
• Zoom into historical photographs to see fine details
• Zoom into historical objects such as money, jewelry, clothing to see fine details
• Math
• Use the camera feature to visually document steps in a math problem
• Use the measurement feature in the SmartScope software to measure items being displayed

Support:

• http://schools.birdvilleschools.net/domain/4832 

Safely Share YouTube Videos & Explain Everything

Technology Tip of the Week: Safely Share YouTube Videos

Do you love using the wonderful content that YouTube has to offer?  Are you frustrated by ads, suggested videos, and comments that aren't always appropriate?  Looking for a safe way to share videos without all the distractions?  Check out these wonderful options for overcoming these obstacles!

Option 1: Embed Your Videos
Rather than give students a direct link to YouTube, you could use the YouTube embed code for each video and embed the videos on a website or blog.  Then students view the embedded video without going to YouTube directly.  Click here for an example of a YouTube video embedded on a Schoolwires site.

Option 2: Use A YouTube Purifier
You can also use a YouTube Purifier to get rid of the distractions.  To use these, simply, copy the video URL (address) from YouTube and paste it into one of these tools.  The tool will generate a new safe URL(address) for you! Try out these two YouTube purifier tools:

• Viewpure
• Website: http://viewpure.com/
• Example: http://viewpure.com/Awf45u6zrP0 
• Safeshare
• Webiste: http://safeshare.tv/
• Example: http://safeshare.tv/w/agWSRWHRbA

App of the Week: Explain Everything

App Store Link:

• Click here to download Explain Everything 

Description:

• Explain Everything is an interactive screencasting whiteboard.  It can be used to create images, PDFs, presentations, or videos with voice-over recordings. 

Examples:

• Lattice Multiplication Explanation Video
• A River Ran Wild Read Aloud
• Journey Through The Solar System

Integration Ideas:

• Export as Video to Camera Roll
• Tutorial Videos
• Cartoons/Animations
• Presentations with Voice Over
• Export as PDF to iBooks or Google Drive
• Presentations
• Non-fiction Writing
• Storybooks
• Journaling/Note-taking
• Export Single Slide as Image to Camera Roll
• Posters
• Sketchnotes

Support:

• Tutorial Videos
• Using Explain Everything in the Primary Classroom
• 13 Things to Do on Explain Everything