Not Cool, Robert Frost!

For those of you who need a little pick me up today...I present...Kid President.

For those of you who can't YouTube at work....

This past Sunday while I was waiting for the dreaded ice storm to arrive, I was browsing through my hulu account looking for something new to watch.  This documentary popped up.  I'm always leery of documentaries now.  People seem to find just enough legitimate facts and data to skew the truth any way they want.  But the fact that this film is narrated by my boyfriend Matt Damon, who I've seen on multiple talk shows and news reports defending teachers, allowed me to give it a try.

I loved it.  I still may not agree with EVERYTHING in the film, but I feel it gives a far truer look at what it is like to be a teacher in America today.  So if you get a chance, check it out!

QR Code Madness

I'm sure we've all seen the around, right?



On McDonald's cups...

In Magazines...










Even the PDA catalogue has them.











What are they? They are quick response codes (QR Codes). Unlike traditional bar codes they can be scan horizontal and vertical allowing for more data to be stored on them.  So, in a nutshell, they are like Barcodes.... on steroids.

So with these performance enhanced bar codes what can you store?
    Links to websites
    Contact information
    Videos
    Podcasts
    Google Maps

And the best part...THEY ARE FREE!!!

All you have to do is go to any QR code generator site...I like this one. Type or upload what you want to link and click generate.  And Viola! you have  a QR code you can download and save like a picture.

Any one with a smart phone, iPod touch, iPad, pretty much any smart technology that can take a picture can have an app to scan and view QR codes.  I like Qrafter. Again..don't pay for any app...find a free one!

Tech savvy educators have fallen in love with QR codes. They use them in library books, so students can scan and listen to a podcast about the book, a book review, or a view a book trailer.  QR codes can be put on the top of worksheets. This will link to extra support to help a student with the assignment, links to a video on how to solve the math problem, a podcast of proper vocabulary pronunciation, or more enrichment activities on the subject.  Science teachers will have students film their lab and link the video to a QR code. Then if a student is absent all they have to do is scan the code and watch the lab!
Some teachers upload QR scanners on their classroom laptops, and students scan codes to direct them to correct websites. No more complaining that they can't find it or bookmarks being moved. My personal favorite is the Scavenger hunt! Schools in our area do a QR code scavenger hunt at the beginning of the year to help familiarize students and families to the school, and staff.  HOW FUN!!!!

The list is endless....Here are some links to some more awesome QR Code education ideas!