QR Codes: or, our journey into the magical world of web tools

If you've read my blog before, you know I like to consider myself the creative type. My mind is constantly bouncing from place to place, running free and wild, trying to come up with the best or most interesting way of presenting an activity. I don't always succeed, which is fine. The best time for me to do this kind of thinking or planning is when people set up a challenge and you just have to make it work.

There are times when projects are stressful and deadlines move constantly but those leave room for creativity to blossom and it has to!

Two 2nd grade classes wrote book reviews on some picture books Carrie picked out for them. We met with these teachers and discussed how to display the reviews in the library in a creative, technological way. The answer?

QR codes and an app called VoiceThread. The general consensus was to have the kids record themselves reading the book review through VoiceThread and have the picture of the book show up. Then, we would import the VoiceThread URL into my favorite QR code creator, then print the QR codes and stick them on the front of the books.

I wanted to take this a step further. I took a picture of the student holding his or her book as the image that would show up on VT, then had the student record. Instead of simply having the books with the QR codes, I made color copies of the books pretty close to true size. This was done after I put the QR codes on all the books, so there was no need to print and cut out even more. One of my personal goals is to be less wasteful, so if I can also achieve that at work, win-win!

These turned out ADORABLE. Because I recorded with all of the kids, I was able to see them in a different light and get to know them a bit better. This 2nd grade group is pretty awesome. Some of them were very shy about recording their voices, refusing to let anyone hear them at all. Some were quiet, others loud, a few that were very professional in their writing and presentation. I'm so proud of all of them!

After the fake book covers were made, Carrie and I put the books out on the Everybody shelves. Then I made a few signs to designate the space and told people to ask a librarian for an iPad if they want to listen to a review. Sadly, nobody has borrowed one from us to listen. I'm really hoping that will change.

This is where I fail the most: paper cutting. UGH. I tried to make the letters look like a skilled craftsperson made them, but no, it looks like me, a monkey with two left hands and bad depth perception.

 

These signs were better, but the handwriting looks like my mom's and not the cool, hip thing I was going for. Whatever.

I think the project was a success and am hopeful the entire 2nd grade will want to participate next year!