Intro+to+QR+Codes

=What are QR codes?=

QR (Quick Response) codes are "two-dimensional barcodes that can be scanned by a mobile device camera. The mobile device is then prompted to load a webpage, display text or other data contained in the code" (Hampton, Peach & Rawlins, 2011, p. 6). They are also known as mobile tagging. These barcodes can hold more than 7,000 characters (compared to the conventional barcode that holds 20-40 characters) allowing a lot of content to be put onto one small area. What this means is with one quick scan with your iPhone or iPad, you will be taken to a new piece of text, webpage, link or video.

See: [|Wikipedia]

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= = = = =How do you use them?=

QR codes can be scanned by a person using any cell phone that has as a camera and Internet access (Baker, 2010, p. 23-24). Many free apps are available for download that will enable your smartphone or tablet to read the QR code. A basic search of the iTunes App Store will reveal a long list of QR code readers, including Microsoft Tag, Kaywa, iCandy, Nokia and Deliver (Hicks & Sinkinson, 2011, p. 61) as well as BeeTagg and ScanLife (Pulliam & Landry, 2011, p. 71).

For step-by-step instructions on downloading QR code readers and creating QR codes, see the //How To// page.