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passPORTS Instructional Resources for All Grade Levels

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There are so many more ideas-check out Flip's blog!

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Sorry, friends...padlet isn't free for EDU, but there are a lot more features-including accessibility! You can get Three Free Padlet's with the Free Account.

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Sorry, friends...padlet isn't free for EDU, but there are a lot more features-including accessibility! You can get Three Free Padlet's with the Free Account.

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Everything educators need to bring the magic of Flip to students-including on-demand training & classroom ideas! Curious minds click to learn more.

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The Flip Blog Helps You Bring Ideas to Life

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The Flip Blog is your #1 resource for inspiration and tutorials. Discover new ways to make learning fun by using our free video discussion platform.

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The structure of the animal cell: learn about all of the parts of this eukyrotic cell in detail…

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With interactive timeline with flashcards embedded 

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With interactive timeline with flashcards embedded 

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IMPORTANT DATES

TAKE A LOOK AT THESE DATES...

Germany Invades Poland

WWII "begins"

Pearl Harbor

WORLD WAR II

IMPORTANT DATES

Yalta Conference

The United Kingdom declared war on Germany on 3 September 1939, two days after Germany invaded Poland. France also declared war on Germany later the same day.

The state of war was announced to the British public in an 11 AM radio broadcast by the prime minister Neville Chamberlain:
This morning the British ambassador in Berlin handed the German government a final note stating that unless we heard from them by 11 o'clock that they were prepared at once to withdraw their troops from Poland, a state of war would exist between us. I have to tell you now that no such undertaking has been received, and that consequently this country is at war with Germany.

The attack on Pearl Harbor was a surprise military strike by the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service upon the United States against the U.S. naval base at Pearl Harbor in Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii, just before 8:00 a.m. (local time) on Sunday, December 7, 1941. The United States was a neutral country at the time; the attack led to its formal entry into World War II the next day. The Japanese military leadership referred to the attack as the Hawaii Operation and Operation AI, and as Operation Z during its planning.

The invasion of Poland (1 September - 6 October 1939) was a joint attack on the Republic of Poland by Nazi Germany, the Slovak Republic, and the Soviet Union; which marked the beginning of World War II. The German invasion began on 1 September 1939, one week after the signing of the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact between Germany and the Soviet Union, and one day after the Supreme Soviet of the Soviet Union had approved the pact.

The Yalta Conference, also known as the Crimea Conference, held 4-11 February 1945, was the World War II meeting of the heads of government of the United States, the United Kingdom and the Soviet Union to discuss the postwar reorganization of Germany and Europe. The three states were represented by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, Prime Minister Winston Churchill, and General Secretary Joseph Stalin, respectively. The conference was held near Yalta in Crimea, Soviet Union, within the Livadia, Yusupov, and Vorontsov palaces.

The aim of the conference was to shape a postwar peace that represented not only a collective security order but also a plan to give self-determination to the liberated peoples of Europe. Intended mainly to discuss the re-establishment of the nations of war-torn Europe, within a few years, with the Cold War dividing the continent, the conference became a subject of intense controversy.

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Death of Leaders

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Victory in Europe Day

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Victory in Japan Day

On Victory in Europe Day, or V-E Day, Germany unconditionally surrendered its military forces to the Allies, including the United States. On May 8, 1945 - known as Victory in Europe Day or V-E Day - celebrations erupted around the world to mark the end of World War II in Europe.

August 9, 1945

Deaths of Mussolini, Hitler and FDR

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit, sed diam nonummy nibh euismod tincidunt ut laoreet dolore magna aliquam erat volutpat.

LET'S REVIEW

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World War II Important Events Timeline + Flashcards

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IMPORTANT DATES TAKE A LOOK AT THESE DATES... Germany Invades Poland WWII "begins" Pearl Harbor WORLD WAR II IMPORTANT DATES Yalta Conference The United Kingdom declared war on Germany on 3 September 1939, two days after Germany invaded Poland. France also declared war on Germany later the same day.

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Check out 9 new ways to use Flip from Edutopia

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Check out 9 new ways to use Flip from Edutopia

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The popular tool has features that teachers in any subject can use to help students connect with each other and share their learning.

Olaf Doering / Alamy Stock Photo

The video-sharing tool Flipgrid, as we all know, is popular in schools-so popular, in so many countries, that its rapid rise been attributed to "Flipgrid Fever." The tool has been free for educators to use for over a year now after being acquired by Microsoft.

One of the main things going for Flipgrid is its ease of use. Teachers set up an account and create grids, which act as communities for students to work in. Within each grid the teacher creates prompts called topics, and students post video responses to the prompts and replies to each other's videos. Most of the videos are quite short, just a minute or two long, and the tool is simple enough that kindergartners use it.

9 New Ways to Use Flipgrid

1. Sharing book reviews: With Flipgrid's new augmented reality (AR) feature, classrooms and classroom libraries can use the video QR code to create an engaging way for students to share book reviews. After a student records their review, the teacher can print the QR code and tape it on the book, and the student's classmates can use their devices to scan the code and watch the review as a way to help them decide if they'd like to read the book.

2. Practicing world language skills: Flipgrid makes it possible for teachers in different districts and different countries to collaborate. For world language teachers, this creates opportunities for students to practice their speaking skills with a larger group than just their class. Students can post videos to get practice with the vocabulary they're learning, and instead of being limited to practicing with the people in their physical classroom, they can engage and build their skills with other students around the world studying the same language or have conversations with native speakers of the language.

3. Increasing accessibility for all students: Flipgrid has expanded many of its accessibility features to ensure that all students can participate. Students can use closed captioning when viewing videos, which also generates a full transcript for each video. Microsoft's Immersive Reader can be used within both the closed captioning and any text within a topic to read the texts aloud and break up words into syllables for easier decoding.

4. Inviting outside speakers: Using Guest Mode, teachers can invite guest speakers to participate in classroom discussions. Guests can watch student videos and post their own videos. This option provides a way for experts in a field to share their knowledge asynchronously, with students posting videos of their questions for the expert to answer at a convenient time in a video response. STEM teachers, for example, could invite engineers or scientists to discuss their careers and research and to answer student questions.

5. Building student portfolios: A teacher can create a grid for student portfolios. Within this grid, the teacher creates a topic for each student, and students post videos explaining their work, demonstrating a recently learned skill, or reflecting on an in-class experience. The teacher can share the link to a student's topic with their parents or guardians so they can view their child's work throughout the year. Since the topics can also be available to every student in the class, students can observe their classmates' work.

6. Adding annotations: When students record a video, they have the option to write directly on the video, and they can add sticky notes with additional text. For students in math practicing solving problems or students in chemistry learning to balance chemical equations, this feature is a great way to show their thinking.

7. Building a mixtape: The mixtape is a way to curate videos from any topic or grid in a single location. A teacher can select any student video and add it to the mixtape, which can be shared with the entire class. Collecting memories from throughout the year is a great way to take advantage of the feature: As the year progresses, the teacher can save interesting videos or important moments from different topics. Watching the mixtape as a class at the end of the year will help students recall what they've learned.

8. Sharing and celebrating work: Celebrating completed projects or finished assignments is often forgotten in the classroom due to time constraints, but Flipgrid makes it fairly easy and quick. Using the student-to-student replies option, everyone in the class can view and respond to each other's videos. For example, students in a history class could share a long-term project they have completed, walking through what they learned and what they created. Peers in the class compose video responses, providing positive feedback on the work completed. When I do this with my ELA students, I require everyone to comment on two or three classmates' projects from any of my sections.

9. Supporting absent students: Flipgrid can be a catch-up solution for students who are absent. The teacher creates a topic for work completed in class, and if a student is absent during a given class period, one of their peers can post a quick video about what assignments were completed in class so the absent students can quickly learn about what they missed.

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9 New Ways to Use Flipgrid in the Classroom

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The popular tool has features that teachers in any subject can use to help students connect with each other and share their learning.

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Tech & Learning Info and Ideas on Wakelet

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Tech & Learning Info and Ideas on Wakelet

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Wakelet offers a way to collate all the rich media available online, in one easy to access space. Imagine building your own website every time you wanted to present a subject -- only now it's super simple.

The idea behind Wakelet as an educational tool is to make the use of videos, website links, images, audio recordings, social media posts, text, and more -- all available in one place. By creating one spot to collate all that, it's possible for educators, and students, to build projects in a very accessible way. Like a digital scrapbook that can be shared with anyone.

This can be used in class and beyond, allowing students and teachers to share with parents and families. Or educators and admins to work with one another across this single space of information sharing.

So is this right for your needs? Read on to find out everything you need to know about Wakelet.

What is Wakelet?

Wakelet is a digital curation tool, so it offers a way to collate online resources in one place, called a wake. These wakes can then be shared with a link to be accessed online, easily, by anyone.

Teachers can create wakes as a way to pool resources, say on a certain topic, allowing students to explore the various information ahead of a lesson. Crucially, this is an open platform, so students can go off and explore wakes created by others to learn more.

(Image credit: Wakelet)

Wakelet works with lots of education technology platforms, including Microsoft Teams and OneNote, Buncee, Flip, and plenty more. This makes it very easy to integrate and work across resources.

Wakelet can be used by a collective group or individually. It works as a digital platform and also lets you export to PDF so you can print and use it as a physical classroom resource too. Since it allows you to create infographic-style outputs, it can be ideal for in-class media.

Wakelet is aimed at ages thirteen and above, and works for both in-person and remote learning.

Wakelet is available via a browser and in app form for iOS, Android, and Amazon Fire devices.

How does Wakelet work?

Wakelet allows you to sign-in and start using it right away for free. You can log into the platform via a web browser on nearly any device. Once accessed, it's possible to start building your wakes.

Helpfully, Wakelet also has a Chrome browser extension. That feature allows you to be browsing various resources as you would normally and then simply hit the Wakelet icon in the upper right corner and that link will be saved to any wake you pick.

(Image credit: Wakelet)

Wakelet can also be used by students as a place to collate research resources. This can be a great way to start a project or to review and revisit learning after a topic has been covered.

Since Wakelet works in a story-based way, it can also be useful for teachers to use as a professional development presentation platform. You can deliver the story of your PD program in a single stream that's easy to add to and share information and best practices with colleagues, as needed.

What are the best Wakelet features?

Wakelet is super simple to use. From pulling in a webpage to adding a video, it's all very straightforward. Since this is a collation platform it does all depend on you being able to use other tech, such as YouTube to create and upload your own videos, for example.

Some great examples of wakes include lesson plans, newsletters, group projects, research assignments, portfolios, and reading recommendations. The ability to copy these wakes is a powerful feature as teachers can view already completed wakes of other educators and copy for editing and using themselves.

The ability to follow others, such as on a social media platform, makes it easy to build a list of useful regular creators who you can get ideas from or copy wakes to use in class.

Wakes can be shared either publicly or privately. This allows students to share with one another without their work being exposed if they want creative privacy.

It's worth keeping in mind, for teachers, that posting publicly can open them up to more exposure, especially if their social media accounts are linked to their profile. Also worth noting is that students can be exposed to other content that may not be suitable, even though the platform aims to only offer content that is appropriate.

How much does Wakelet cost?

Wakelet is free to sign up for and use, so no hidden costs, no scaling for the amount of users, and no worries about being bombarded by advertisements while you're trying to use the platform.

The company says on its website that all the features currently available are free and will remain that way. Even if premium plans are introduced in the future, no features will be removed or charged for, only new features will be added at a premium.

Wakelet best tips and tricks

Get the apps
Wakelet comes in many forms that allow you the easiest access via your devices thanks to dedicated apps for iOS, Android, Chrome, and Amazon Fire. Use each for ease.

Build portfolios
Use the space to build portfolios for students, perhaps for their work over the year, or preparing for a job or college application in the future.

Lesson plan
This space is ideal for collating resources for teaching a lesson, either to share before or during, or simply as a reference point for educators.

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Use Wakelet to get a rich mix of media accessible for the education space

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ThingLink:  ThingLink for teachers and schools

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Create personalized learning experiences, access to real-world environments virtually. Share to LMS, access to advanced learning analytics.

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We Are Teachers article and ideas for Padlet in the classroom.

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We Are Teachers article and ideas for Padlet in the classroom.

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Meaningful ways for teachers and students to collaborate online are more important than ever. That's why so many educators love Padlet, a digital bulletin board tool. It gives teachers, students, and even parents an easy way to share ideas, review work, and a whole lot more. Wondering what it's all about? Here's our guide to Padlet for teachers, including plenty of clever ways to use it with your students.

What is Padlet?

Think of Padlet as an online bulletin board, but with a lot of things a regular bulletin board could never do. Users can post text, images, videos, files, links ... basically anything digital. Others can see the postings, as well as comment or vote on them if the board owner allows. You can customize each Padlet by changing the background, layout, font, and color scheme.

One of the best things about Padlet for teachers is how very easy it is to use, even for young students. It works on computers and laptops, plus devices like Chromebooks, iPads, or smartphones. Perhaps most importantly, teachers can control whether contributions have students' names on them or are made anonymously. This empowers students who might otherwise feel too timid to share. You can also decide whether or not to allow comments or ratings and even require approval before posting or filter out profanity.

Is Padlet free?

Padlet's free version for all users allows you to create up to three Padlet boards at a time. You can erase and create new ones to stay under the limit. This is a good option for teachers who only plan to use it occasionally or who want to give it a try to see if it works for them.

If you decide you're willing to pay for an upgrade, there are two options. You can sign up for a Pro account, which offers unlimited Padlets and removes upload limits. Individual Pro accounts currently cost $8/month.

Padlet also offers Backpack for Schools, a bulk pricing plan that gives schools more privacy options, extra security, student portfolios, and more. Learn more about Backpack here.

15 Cool Ways to Use Padlet for Teachers

Ready to give it a try? There are so many ways to use Padlet for teachers and students. Here are some of the best ideas we've found to inspire you.

1. Remake existing Padlets as templates

If you come across a Padlet made by someone else that you really like, you can copy it to your own account and use it as a template. You can choose to copy the posts too, or just grab the layout to get you started. It's as simple as clicking the Remake button, then choosing what you want to copy over. The new Padlet will appear on your account, and you're ready to go! Want to make your own templates? Visit Guiding on the Side for a walk-through.

2. Collaborate and organize

Imagine you've asked your class to research a topic, with each student contributing several facts. In a hands-on classroom, you might have each student write their fact on a sticky note and add it to a whiteboard. Then, together with your class, you could organize those facts by moving the notes into columns. You can do the same with Padlet, but your "sticky notes" can contain photos, graphs, videos and audio, article links, and anything else that might be useful.

On the board above, students have contributed facts about E.T.A. Hoffman, author of The Nutcracker story, as well as information about the ballet. Here's the same board organized into columns, with posts sorted by subject. Learn how to change Padlet layouts here.

You can organize information in other ways, too, like timelines and flowcharts. The Techie Teacher has free graphic organizer Padlet templates you can re-make for your students here.

3. Get to know each other

Padlet is perfect for icebreaker activities. Ask students to share what they have in common or share an image of their favorite study space. You could even ask each student to create their own Padlet, sharing some of their favorite things. Learn how one teacher uses Padlet for a Selfie Icebreaker at Dr. Catlin Tucker.

4. Create a timeline

Padlet has a timeline feature built right in as one of their organizational options. How cool is that? Use it for history class, tracing scientific eras or evolutions, or even to map out the order of events in a book for English class. Wherever a timeline comes in handy, Padlet has you covered. Learn more about timelines here.

5. Get feedback with exit tickets

Exit tickets are a fantastic way to find out what your students learned in class and where they may still need some help. Lots of teachers have kids write their answers to a reflection question on a sticky note and post it by the door on the way out. If you're teaching online, or want to incorporate some technology, use Padlet instead.

6. Display student work

Teachers are no longer limited to displaying student work on a classroom bulletin board or in the hallway nearby. Since Padlets are easy to share, parents can drop in and see what their kids have been working on. See how The Techie Playground does it here.

7. Keep track of who needs help

One teacher likes to use Padlet to see who needs help during independent work. Kids simply add their name to the list to indicate they need a minute of the teacher's time. They can see how many kids are ahead of them, and no one is forgotten in the shuffle. Learn more at Stefbub's Classroom.

8. Hold a debate

Classroom discussion and debate can be difficult when you're teaching online. Even in person, there's rarely enough time for everyone's opinion to be heard. Try taking the debate online instead, like this Padlet from Teach Every Day. Post a question, then have students choose a side and gather resources about it. As students review the information posted by others, they can share their own thoughts and ask further questions. This is also an excellent way to help kids learn to have civil conversations online, even when they don't agree on the subject.

9. Have a scavenger hunt

Everyone loves a scavenger hunt! Set up a Padlet with columns, titling each with something your students need to find. Use a scavenger hunt for team building, or create a hunt that helps students learn more about a class subject. Make a field trip more meaningful (even a virtual one!) by asking kids to post pictures that meet certain criteria. Learning the alphabet with your littles? Have them take photos of items around them that start with each letter. There's so much you can do with this smart Padlet for teachers idea!

10. Set up a bookshelf

Use Padlet to make book recommendations or keep track of what students are reading. Recommendations by teachers or other students will help parents and kids find new reads to love. Ask kids to rate and comment on the books they're reading for class and include their own personal choices too.

11. Make a map

Padlet's map feature makes it a breeze to create a collaborative map for your students to use. Choose from a variety of styles, including satellite views. Add points to the map, along with information like links, photos, and more. Learn more about the map function from Free Technology For Teachers.

12. Conduct a writers' workshop

Writers' workshops help students develop their own skills and learn from others. One teacher has taken her writing workshops online, using Padlet to help her young writers see strong examples from their classmates while improving their own efforts. See how it's done at Mud and Ink Teaching.

13. Use Padlet Backchannel for discussions

Padlet's Backchannel feature makes it easy to have a discussion during another activity, like watching a film or listening to a presentation. It works just like a regular Padlet, but a text box at the bottom simplifies the process, allowing users to quickly type and send, just like in other chat programs. You can still add other items like links, images, or videos, too. Learn more about Backchannel from Richard Byrne on YouTube.

14. Assign lessons or homework

Use Padlet to keep all of your homework assignments for the week in one place, or lay out the daily lessons for a virtual classroom. You can link to videos, online games, and other resources, or create assignments directly in Padlet, like responding to reading questions. Students or parents can post questions to the assignments as needed, too. Learn how one teacher does it at Elementary Grapevine.

15. Take a poll

By enabling the voting feature, you can easily take a poll or survey for just about anything. Choose your next class reward, find out which book your students loved the most, or ask them which problem was the most difficult on last night's math homework. There are so many possibilities!

How do you use Padlet? Share in the comments!

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Padlet For Teachers: The Best Tips, Tricks, and Ideas For Your Classroom

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Wondering how to use this cool online bulletin board tool in your classroom? We've got everything you need to know about Padlet for teachers.

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Not just for students...can be used with staff and in PD as well!

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Not just for students...can be used with staff and in PD as well!

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With the increasing need for remote learning, teachers are trying to keep students engaged and connected in new ways. Online teaching has fast become the most viable solution for educators.

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Got a bit of downtime? Take a trip to a national park from wherever you are! Many national park sites across the country offer digital tours and experiences that you can access anytime, anywhere. From digitally diving under the sea to watching the cherry blossom trees bloom, there are countless ways to enjoy a park experience online.

Virtual Tours

Get up close and personal with parks through virtual tours. Learn more about the history of these legendary places and how their protection and preservation is essential in ensuring these sites are enjoyed for generations to come.

Clara Barton National Historic Site

A U.S. Patent Office clerk turned field nurse, Clara Barton was the founder and first president of the American Red Cross. Her life and legacy are celebrated at Clara Barton National Historic Site, the Glen Echo, Maryland house that was her home for the last 15 years of her life, as well as the national headquarters of the American Red Cross, a dormitory for staff, and a warehouse for relief supplies.

In a virtual tour, explore the house's many rooms and hallways, including twelve restored rooms. Hear the "voice of Clara Barton" provide descriptions in her own words and navigate the tour with your mouse to see 360-degree views. Younger virtual visitors can enjoy educational, interactive learning activities, and print out a personalized certificate upon completion.

Hot Springs National Park

The thermal waters of Hot Springs National Park have drawn visitors for centuries. Originally a site for American Indians to quarry novaculite, the area's hot springs soon became a favored destination for those seeking health treatments. Now nicknamed "the American Spa," the park preserves more than 20 miles of trails, 40 hot springs, and the historic Bathhouse Row - a stunning showcase of Gilded Age architecture.

Take a virtual tour of the park's historic Bathhouse Row district in an interactive map - presented by the Midwest Archeological Center, the National Park Service, and the Southeast Archeological Center. View 360-degree photographs of the bathhouse interiors and learn about the importance of these 20th century buildings.

Virgin Islands National Park

Two-thirds of the island of St. John in the Virgin Islands is a national park. Virgin Islands National Park features gorgeous sandy beaches and palms, as well as a rich marine life in underwater coral reefs. But the park boasts more than just beautiful beaches - ancient petroglyphs, carved by the Taino people, can be spotted along the Reef Bay Trail, and plantation ruins tell the stories of when the sugar industry dominated life on the island.

Discover this park on a virtual tour of its historic windmills and plantations. Or take a virtual 3-D tour of the Annaberg Sugar Plantation, one of the finest remaining examples of the Danish Colonial Era industrial agriculture in the Virgin Islands.

Exploring this park, be it virtually or in-person, can be an exciting and educational experience. In 2015, NPF supported Friends of Virgin Islands National Park in transporting 4th and 5th grade students to the unique mangrove habitat in Coral Reef National Monument, maintained by Virgin Islands National Park. Students were albe to boat, kayak, snorkel, and explore the abundance of marine and coral life in this unique ecosystem.

Hamilton Grange National Memorial

The final home of one of our nation's founding fathers, Hamilton Grange National Memorial tells the story of Alexander Hamilton - from his humble beginnings as an orphan in the Caribbean to acting as the country's first Secretary of the Treasury. Hamilton commissioned architect John McComb Jr. to design this home for an estate in upper Manhattan, and it was here that he lived the final years of his life.

Follow along with Jordan Fisher as he tours the house with Ranger Vlad in a video produced by the National Park Foundation and the National Park Service. Together they explore the rooms of Hamilton Grange, including the formal dining room Hamilton used to entertain guests and his personal study where he would read and write.

Crater Lake National Park

Formed by a volcanic eruption and collapse, Crater Lake National Park features the deepest lake in the U.S., and one of the top ten deepest lakes in the world. While people have inhabited the lake's shores for centuries, the park was founded in 1902 to protect its natural resources, including its fresh, clear water, and cultural resources.

Go on a tour of the park with Dierks Bentley and park ranger Charlie in this 360-degree video produced by the National Park Foundation and the National Park Service. Catch the sunrise over Garfield Peak and cruise around Phantom Ship, a rock formation that predates the lake. Watch the video on a mobile device and move around to see the remarkable vistas of Crater Lake!

New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park

As the capital of the 19th century whaling industry and a safe haven along the Underground Railroad, as well as the home to legendary figures such as Frederick Douglass and Herman Melville, New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park preserves, protects, and interprets cultural resources within the "city that lit the world." Located in downtown New Bedford, the park spans over 13 blocks, and includes a whaling museum, a waterfront visitor center, a custom house, and more.

Take a video tour or interactive virtual tour of the Nathan and Polly Johnson House, not normally open to the public, provided by the National Park Service and the New Bedford Historical Society. Owned by Nathan and Mary "Polly" Johnson, the house welcomed and assisted those traveling along the Underground Railroad. The house was even the first residence of Frederick Douglass after his escape from slavery in 1838.

In 2016, NPF's transportation grants program helped the park grow its partnership with New Bedford Public Schools, supporting the transportation of local 4th grade students to the park on educational visits. Students visiting the park were able to participate in student programs that explored the lives of people connected to the park's history, such as Nathan and Polly Johnson and Lewis Temple, the inventor of the toggle harpoon.

Live Webcams

Make your escape to a scenic vista in a national park with a live webcam. Search for wildlife or sit back and enjoy the beauty of our national parks and the landscapes they preserve.

National Mall and Memorial Parks

A tradition in our nation's capital for over 100 years, the annual blossoming of the cherry trees on the National Mall and Memorial Parks is a reminder of the beauty of spring. Plantings of cherry trees began in 1912 as a gift of friendship to the People of the United States from the People of Japan. Equated with the evanescence of human life, the beauty of the pale blossoms epitomizes the transformation of Japanese culture throughout the ages.

This webcam from the Trust for the National Mall, EarthCam, the National Park Service, and The National Cherry Blossom Festival brings the cherished and beloved cherry trees to you, wherever you are. Each year, the Bloom Cam allows you to peer out at D.C.'s Tidal Basin, including the Thomas Jefferson Memorial, the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial, and the Washington Monument. The live camera will change views every five minutes so you can enjoy these blooms from every angle.

NPF has supported many projects along the National Mall, including enhancing the monuments that serve as a backdrop for these iconic cherry blossoms every year. Since 2009, NPF has supported recycling efforts along the National Mall. In 2019, thanks to contributions to NPF from David Rubenstein and Musco Lighting, the Washington Monument installed updated lighting and a refurbished elevator system. In 2020, NPF announced a gift from David Rubenstein that will enable the creation of a state-of-the-art museum and enhanced visitor experience at the Thomas Jefferson Memorial.

Paterson Great Falls National Historic Park

Established in 1792, Paterson, NJ was a planned industrial city from the minds of Alexander Hamilton and the "Society for Establishing Usefull Manufacturers." Humble mills along the Passaic River manufactured cotton, silk, steam locomotives, rolls of paper, and even airplane engines. The Great Falls at Paterson Great Falls National Historic Park are central to the park's story - their impressive power was the inspiration for Hamilton to establish the city in this spot.

Just as the falls inspired Hamilton, so too have they continued to inspire artists of all kinds, from visual arts to poetry and dance. NPF has supported cultural projects in the park, including Hamilton Partnership for Paterson's 2016 "Taste of Paterson" block party, celebrating Paterson's past, present, and future as a multicultural city of immigrants, a 2017 Native American Heritage festival, and a 2019 hip hop program.

Get a glimpse of the Great Falls with a live webcam presented by EarthCam, the National Park Service, and the City of Paterson. Revel in the majesty of these remarkable falls and the surrounding town that fostered the American Industrial Revolution, changing the face of America forever.

Channel Islands National Park

Dive into the rich marine life at Channel Islands National Park. Close to California's southern coast and encompassing of five different islands and their ocean environment, the park preserves and protects a variety of natural and cultural resources. The islands' remote location is home to unique animals, plants, and archeological resources found nowhere else on Earth.

Go under the sea with the park's live ocean webcam, presented in partnership between the National Park Service, Explore.org, and the Ventura County Office of Education, set up in the landing cove on Anacapa Island. See how many different marine species you can spot - there are nearly one thousand documented so far!

Statue of Liberty National Monument

A gift from the people of France to the U.S., Statue of Liberty National Monument is recognized globally as a symbol of freedom and democracy. A welcoming figure for the millions of immigrants who entered the United States through New York between 1886 and 1924, the Statue was immortalized in Emma Lazarus' poem "The New Colossus," later engraved on a bronze plaque affixed to the base of the statue. First illuminated in 1916, the National Park Service has been caring for this iconic landmark since 1933.

Check in with Lady Liberty on a live webcam from EarthCam, the National Park Service, and the Statue of Liberty - Ellis Island Foundation. Enjoy a live look at the New York City skyline, as well as views of the Hudson River and ships in New York Harbor.

Yellowstone National Park

Watching Old Faithful Geyser erupt is one of Yellowstone National Park 's most treasured traditions. However, Old Faithful is just one of nearly 500 active geysers in the park, and one of six that park rangers currently predict. While the park is also famous for its scenery and wildlife, it's unique and dynamic geothermal features were what inspired its designation as the first established national park in the world.

Explore Yellowstone's nine webcams - one live-streaming and eight static - provided by Canon USA, Inc. through a grant to Yellowstone Forever. Take a closer look at a few of the park's geysers, including Lone Star, Old Faithful, and Castle Geysers, through an overview of the Geyser Basin and 3-D models.

NPF is a long-standing supporter of projects in Yellowstone National Park. From the reintroduction of wolves and restoration of native cutthroat trout in Yellowstone Lake to vital training for backcountry rangers, NPF programs have helped preserve the iconic park's landscape and the wildlife populations that call it home, as well as enhance the experience of the many visitors who take a trip to the park.

Katmai National Park & Preserve

Established in 1918 to preserve features associated with one of the most powerful volcanic eruptions ever recorded, Katmai National Park and Preserve protects thousands of years of human history. The park's millions of acres serve as an important protected habitat for salmon and thousands of brown bears, which can be seen in high concentrations across the park.

Explore the park's three bear webcams, presented in partnership with Explore.org. Bear cams go live each summer when the park's bears are most active, but you can catch highlight reels from the bear cams year-round. Search for bears fishing for salmon at Brooks Falls and the Riffles, plus catch mothers and cubs on the Lower River cam. You may even catch a snorkeling bear from the River Watch cam, which provides a closer view of Brooks River.

Looking for more to explore? Check out the National Park Service's multimedia gallery of webcams to experience other parks live, or  earn an online Junior Ranger badge from a park. Discover other ways to enjoy parks at home, or even take a peek at our Parkcade for fun, educational park activities for the whole family. Keep in touch with the National Park Foundation on social media - follow us on  Facebook,  Twitter, and  Instagram  - as we share our favorite ways to make a virtual visit to national parks across the country.

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Got a bit of downtime? Take a trip to a national park from wherever you are! Many national park sites across the country offer digital tours and experiences that you can access anytime, anywhere. From digitally diving under the sea to watching the cherry blossom trees bloom, there are countless...

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CyArk develops unique storytelling experiences specifically tailored for the presentation and exploration of cultural heritage in Virtual Reality, harnessing the powers of this medium to transport the visitor and create a true sense of place and connection.

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CyArk develops unique storytelling experiences specifically tailored for the presentation and exploration of cultural heritage in Virtual Reality, harnessing the powers of this medium to transport the visitor and create a true sense of place and connection.

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About Lauren Tarshis

Lauren Tarshis's acclaimed and bestselling I Survived series, which has more than 25 million copies in print and digital formats since its launch in 2010, tells stories of young people and their resilience and strength in the midst of unimaginable disasters. For each book in the series that has captivated kids and educators alike, Tarshis has conducted extensive research on topics such as the sinking of the Titanic, the destruction of Pompeii, Hurricane Katrina, the bombing of Pearl Harbor, and now on the war that brought the United States its independence in I Survived the American Revolution, 1776. In addition to being an author, Lauren oversees the ELA magazines for Scholastic Classroom Magazines, and is the editor of Storyworks. She lives in Connecticut, and can be found online at laurentarshis.com.

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I Survived the American Revolution Webcast | Scholastic.com

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Lauren Tarshis's acclaimed and bestselling I Survived series, which has more than 25 million copies in print and digital formats since its launch in 2010, tells stories of young people and their resilience and strength in the midst of unimaginable disasters.

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Can’t come to Amsterdam? You can still visit this special place from wherever you are.

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Online tours - Enjoy the Louvre at home!

1. Back to Home

2. See all breadcrumbs

3. Online tours

Virtual tours

From afar. Travelling Materials and Objects

Through materials and objects, this exhibition describes exchanges between distant worlds - exchanges often far more ancient than the explorations of the 16th century. From deepest antiquity, carnelian, lapis lazuli, ebony and ivory circulated along trade routes...

Louvre at home

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Online tours - Enjoy the Louvre at home!

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Online tours - Enjoy the Louvre at home! Back to Home See all breadcrumbs Online tours Virtual tours Through materials and objects, this exhibition describes exchanges between distant worlds - exchanges often far more ancient than the explorations of the 16th century. From deepest antiquity, carnelian, lapis lazuli, ebony and ivory circulated along trade routes...

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virtual tour - george washington's mount vernon

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Virtual Tour - George Washington’s Mount Vernon

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Explore all Collections on Google Arts & Culture.

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Virtually explore Machu Picchu in a fully immersive 360-degree experience.

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360 video | VR content | AirPano.com project

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Collection of 360 videos, showing beautiful nature of our planet. Waterfalls, mountains, volcanoes, polar lights, animals and many others wonderful creations of the Earth. Get the full impression

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Virtual Fieldtrips: Africa (Sahara, Namibia, Egypt)

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Virtual Fieldtrips: Africa (Sahara, Namibia, Egypt)

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Welcome to the Sahara Desert - the largest hot desert in the world! We cover the climate and landforms of the Sahara and then move on to meeting the many insects, birds, reptiles, and mammals that live in these harsh conditions. Find out about the many adaptations that allow plant and animal life to survive and thrive here, along with the people who have called the Sahara home for many millennia.

Video length: 31:28 minutes.

Enjoy a trip through an African Safari park to see an incredible variety of wildlife. Take a first-row seat at the waterholes where the action is. You'll see elephants, giraffes, warthogs, rhinos, zebras, lions, and so much more.

Video length: 15:16 minutes.

A civilization like no other - let's start with the Egyptian gods that ruled over the smallest details of everyday life. They also protected the all-powerful Pharaoh. We examine Egyptian royalty, and the social structure of Ancient Egypt, right down to the everyday people, their daily life, and the symbols that were important them.

Video length: 26:41 minutes

Let's have a close-up look at the magnificent structures that the Ancient Egyptians have left behind for us to marvel over, even thousands of years later. Pyramids, Sphinxes, and many, many temples delight our senses as we take this trip back in time to the Land of the Pyramids.

Video length: 19:51 minutes

What Else Would You Like To See On This List?

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Welcome to the Sahara Desert - the largest hot desert in the world! We cover the climate and landforms of the Sahara and then move on to meeting the many insects, birds, reptiles, and mammals that live in these harsh conditions.

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I want to try this on Monday with my fourth- graders

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Might be very cool to add the primary sources from TeachingCalifornia.org to ThingLink to help in analyzing historical documents.

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Skip to content Skip to search Skip to footer

Free and Flexible Resources to Teach the History-Social Science Framework

Welcome to Teaching California!

On this website you will discover classroom-ready resources to help teach California's History-Social Science Framework. Our inquiry sets include curated collections of primary sources, teacher and student notes, activities, and other tools that will help guide you through a research-based approach to improving student reading, writing, and critical thinking.

A project of the California Historical Society, in partnership with the California History-Social Science Project

678 Mission Street, San Francisco, CA 94105

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Cookie settings ACCEPT

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Teaching California - Bringing Archives into the Classroom

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Skip to content Skip to search Skip to footer Free and Flexible Resources to Teach the History-Social Science Framework On this website you will discover classroom-ready resources to help teach California's History-Social Science Framework.

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Need a round-up of activities to convince you Canva is amazing? Is there really anything better than Canva? It has so many options, pre-made projects, and amazing templates. You can take any content and turn it into a creative project where students can easily show 21st century skills. Gone are the days of the boring PowerPoint (except I definitely still use boring PowerPoint sometimes when appropriate). Enjoy this list of Canva inspiration.

1. Mood Boards

Teaching mood is sometimes a confusing concept. Use Canva to help students create Mood Boards to pair analysis and artistry. I have a premade, purposeful, high-quality project here that can walk you through teaching this literary element in a fun way. Canva has plenty of pre-made Mood Boards templates that are beautiful and functional.

2. Literary Quote Book

Another great way to spice up analysis is to create an illustrated quote book. Canva has thousands of free images available, or students can upload their own. They could keep the Literary Quote Book as an ongoing project throughout the year as they add to it, making connections to broader themes. You can then utilize the Quote Book as a study tool or link it to an analysis project at the end of the semester. You can find a premade resource here if you want done-for-you instructions and a rubric.

3. Posters

You can do so much with posters in Canva. Build class culture by having students decorate with their favorite literary quotes. Create collages for novels, or creative artistic analysis of characters or settings. Students can create posters for vocabulary or grammar rules or literary elements. Prep for testing when you have to take down your regular decor and replace it with affirmations for your students.

4. Infographics

Similar to the poster use, have students create attractive infographics that can be used for study help and quick tips. Vocabulary and spelling can be made into small bookmark-sized infographics for students to keep handy. You can compare misused vocabulary, a plot diagram to keep in a novel, a list of important events from the reading, or topics for group discussions.

5. Social Media Accounts

This would be a really fun character study activity. You can create templates in Canva to share with students or print to work on in class. Think about profiles on Facebook for a novel, or how a clash between characters might look if it was a Twitter feud. You could have students create the Instagram feeds of poets.

6. Branding

You can find branding kit examples and have students use branding and business templates. You're probably thinking, "For what?" Maybe you practice persuasion with the best inventions of the 21st century, and students create branding profiles for their presentation. Maybe as you study Frankenstein you have students create the doctor's presentation at the next science fair. I love working with other departments, so maybe working with your science teachers to help students with new inventions. You take care of the writing and creating and your colleagues can focus on the science know-how.

7. Invitations and Cards

Another fun activity you might try with Canva is use their array of invite templates. Students can pick key events and have students create the invites. Think about more than just parties. Think about a funeral notice for Will's brother in Long Way Down or Nick's attempt to get people to attend Gatsby's funeral. If you're reading any type of Victorian-era novels, students can design their calling cards and create the invites to the various balls and luncheons.

8. Newspaper

Create newspaper or newsletter templates and assign groups of students to write different editions or articles. One group can write events for the beginning, middle, and end of a novel. Students can write a front-page article, a wanted-ad, sports, highlights, or other news-worthy articles.

9. Resumes

Have a job fair for favorite characters (or assign from your current novel) and have students create character resumes. What is the dream job they are applying for? What skills and qualifications are they highlighting? Who are their references? Students can really do some cool things with character analysis, like how a resume from Lenny in Of Mice Men would differ in structure and vocabulary from George. Or a villain would omit needing references or if a hero received a bad reference. Again, Canva templates are our friends!

10. Mind Maps and Concept Maps

Canva also has a host of shapes and borders to use and is really easy to drag and drop where you need. It's an excellent tool for creating mind maps. Use it as a study help before unit tests, or have various topics that students add to throughout a novel. Depending on your class structure, you can have students work in teams on the same Canva document and work together to put information in one space. You can also always make blank mind maps that you can print for your students if you don't have easy access to computers.

Bonus!

Don't forget how great Canva can be for teachers! It's perfect for setting up graphic organizers and creating worksheets. I also love it for creating slideshow backgrounds before dropping them into Google Slides or PowerPoint where I can add some animations and transitions. My worksheets and journal pages have a little something extra and look nicer when I create them in Canva verses using Microsoft Word or Google Docs. You can also create education aids (like posters and infographics I suggested above), or develop your lesson plans for submission within Canva.

Canva is a really great tool for the classroom. I love how it is basically already set up to unleash creative and artistic talent, but it comes with so many features so even the least-artistic among us can put together something amazing. What are your favorite options for using Canva in your secondary ELA classes? Comment here your best ideas or keep the conversation going with me on Facebook and Instagram.

Happy teaching!

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10 Student Project Ideas to Create in Canva ⋆ Samantha in Secondary

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Need a round-up of activities to convince you Canva is amazing? Is there really anything better than Canva? It has so many options, pre-made projects, and amazing templates. You can take any content and turn it into a creative project where students can easily show 21st century skills.

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Bring History to Life Station Rotation Sample Cards & Directions Made with Canva & bit.ly (link and QR code generator)

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Bring History to Life Station Rotation Sample Cards & Directions Made with Canva & bit.ly (link and QR code generator)

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Check out this Real Estate Flyer designed by Laurel Aguilar-Kirchhoff.

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Infographic Maker Trusted By 11 Million Users - Piktochart

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With Piktochart AI, you can create stunning infographics, reports, presentations, and more in seconds. No design experience needed. Start for free.

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Piktochart Education Workshop: Creative Ways to Use Infographics in the Classroom

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The new school year is here, and there's no better way to start than being better equipped to engage your students this coming year. Piktochart is excited to...

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Long links are
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Center for Innovative Teaching and Learning

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By Tolulope (Tolu) Noah | August 10, 2022

Source: EDUCAUSE Review

QR codes can complement the design of more interactive and engaging learning experiences in higher education.

My obsession with QR (quick response) codes began over a decade ago, when I was a 5th- and 6th-grade classroom teacher. I used QR codes on bulletin boards so that during Open House, families could scan them to view students' digital work. I also used QR codes for assignments so that students could easily check their answers. When I transitioned to higher education and became a professor in 2013, QR codes came right along with me, and I have used them in ever-expanding ways. With their simplicity and versatility, QR codes lend themselves to a wide variety of uses in the college/university classroom.

What are QR codes?

EDUCAUSE defines QR codes as "two-dimensional bar codes that can contain any alphanumeric text and often feature URLs that direct users to sites where they can learn about an object or place." QR codes have been used in various industries and settings, including museums (to provide visitors with additional information about the artwork on display) and airlines (to make the boarding process more efficient). There has also been a resurgence of the use of QR codes during the COVID-19 pandemic. For example, many restaurants have transitioned to using QR codes to give patrons access to menus in a way that minimizes contact with shared surfaces.

How to Create and Scan QR Codes

QR codes can be created using websites that generate QR codes or certain web browsers, like Google Chrome. The iPhone and iPad have a built-in app called Shortcuts that can also be used to create QR codes (see figure 1). With the Shortcuts app, you can create QR codes that link to websites, contact information, calendar events, and even wireless networks (to make it easier for others to join a network).
Figure 1. Scanning and Creating QR Codes on the iPhone or iPad: A Guide for Higher Ed Faculty
To scan a QR code, you can use a mobile device with a camera, such as a cell phone or tablet. In fact, the cameras on most newer iPhones, iPads, and Android devices have built-in QR code reader functionality. If using an older device, you can download a third-party app to scan QR codes, such as QR Droid or QR Reader for iPhone.

How to Use QR Codes in Class

QR codes are useful for many teaching and learning tasks in the higher education setting. Faculty and students can easily generate QR codes that link to a wide variety of online content including maps, charts, graphs, audio or video clips, photographs, quizzes, surveys, PDF documents, websites, and collaborative documents. The possibilities for how QR codes can be incorporated into courses of any discipline are endless. Below are just eight ideas.

1. Provide Access to Course Content

One of the easiest ways to use QR codes is to provide students with quick and easy access to course materials. For example, QR codes in the syllabus can link to course readings or videos. Or QR codes on slides can quickly direct students to a website that they will be using in class. You can also create a QR code that points students to an online hyperdoc containing links to all of the resources that will be used that day. This becomes a "one-stop shop" for students during class and streamlines the navigation process.

2. Connect with Students

QR codes can be helpful for getting to know your students and helping them get to know you. For example, a QR code in the syllabus can link to a video of you introducing yourself to the class. You can also create a student survey in Google Forms or another online survey tool and use a QR code to link to the survey. You can add the code to your syllabus as the first "assignment" that students need to complete. QR codes can also make it easier for students to get in touch with you: a QR code on your office door can provide your contact information, office hours, and/or a website where students can sign up for a time to meet with you (e.g., via Calendly or SignUpGenius). In addition, QR codes can be used to check in with students about their experience in your course, again by linking them to online surveys or forms. For example, I created a Mid-Course Feedback Form in Google Forms, based on a template that my university provided.

3. Encourage Collaboration

You can create QR codes that link to online collaborative documents (e.g., Google Docs, Google Slides, Microsoft OneDrive files). Students can use these collaborative documents for brainstorming activities, shared writing exercises, presentations, and other discipline-based tasks with their peers. For example, if students are working on a small-group activity (e.g., analyzing a case study or learning about an important legal case), QR codes can link to collaborative documents for each group. Students can then access their group's collaborative document and work together to complete the task. Collaborative documents also work well for virtual synchronous instruction, as they can provide structure for breakout room activities.

4. Assess Student Learning

QR codes are very helpful for formative assessments. They can link to online quizzes, polls, and surveys (e.g., Kahoot!, Poll Everywhere, Mentimeter, Google Forms). You can then place these QR codes on your lecture slides at strategic pausing points. When it is time for students to complete an assessment, they can use their phones to scan the QR code and go directly to the chosen assessment tool.

5. Provide Examples

One of my favorite ways to use QR codes is to provide examples of a concept that students are learning about. For example, during my lecture on English language learners (ELLs), I had students do a Tic-Tac-Toe QR code activity. The handout had nine boxes, each of which contained a QR code and the title of the video it linked to. Each video showed a classroom teacher demonstrating how to use a specific teaching strategy with ELLs. I told my students to choose any three boxes in a row, watch the linked videos, and reflect on what they observed. Afterward, we had a whole-class discussion about their observations. The Tic-Tac-Toe QR code activity worked well because it not only allowed students to see examples of teaching strategies in practice but also gave students choice in what they watched (based on their particular interests). Also, when students heard their peers discuss the videos they had watched, students were intrigued to check out the other videos too.

6. Provide Additional Support and Feedback

QR codes are great for providing immediate support. For example, when creating the assignment guidelines for a research paper, you can include QR codes that link to citation, grammar, or other writing resources. Or, when crafting a practice or review assignment, you can include QR codes that link to tutorials that students can watch if they are stuck on a problem and need help. Do you have specialized equipment that students should use? You can create QR codes that link to tutorials or directions, then print the QR codes on labels and stick them directly on the equipment so that help is only a scan away. QR codes also work well for providing students with feedback about their work. You can use an online tool like Microsoft Flip to create audio or video recordings of your feedback. Then you can share those recordings with students via QR codes.

7. Make Learning Interactive

QR codes can easily be printed on copy paper or labels, making them an excellent tool for interactive learning experiences such as gallery walks, scavenger hunts, peer review, "walk and talks," and simulations.

Gallery Walks. Create QR codes that link to short passages of text, images, datasets, video clips, or audio clips related to the topic you are teaching. Tape the QR codes up around the room. Provide students with a graphic organizer, guided notes sheet, or reflection sheet to complete as they scan the QR codes and examine each resource. Afterward, facilitate a whole-class discussion about their observations and the emerging themes. For example, in my "Diversity in the Classroom" course, I used QR codes and graphic organizers to help students unpack the concept of microaggressions. In my "Intro to Teaching" course, I used QR codes to help students explore examples of ways that teachers integrate technology into their instruction.

Scavenger Hunts. Use a scavenger hunt activity to get students up and moving as they review a course-related concept. Make a set of QR codes that link to questions for students to answer, problems for them to solve, or quick tasks for them to complete. Place the QR codes in strategic places throughout the classroom, building, or campus. Then have students work in pairs or small groups to complete the hunt. They can document their work by recording their responses on a sheet of paper (if answering questions or solving problems), or they can take pictures or record short video clips as evidence of their completion of each task. You could even have students submit their scavenger hunt evidence online via GooseChase.

Peer Review. Have students generate a QR code that links to their work online, or ask students to submit their work to a cloud-based storage system (e.g., Google Drive or Dropbox) and create the QR codes yourself. Tape the QR codes up around the room, or create stations in the classroom with a few QR codes at each one. As students walk around the room or rotate through the stations, they can scan the QR codes to read their peers' work. They can also use sticky notes or index cards to record feedback about each person's work. Alternatively, you can make the entire peer review process digital by having students share a link to their work on Padlet, where they can also post feedback for their peers.

"Walk and Talks." Give participants a topic or question, and have them take a short walk with a partner to discuss it. You can level up this experience by creating QR codes with discussion prompts. Tape the QR codes up in strategic places around the building or campus to create a "discussion path." Then give students 10-15 minutes to walk the path with their partner, scan the QR codes, and discuss the questions. You can even scaffold the questions so that they become more complex as students walk or so that they prompt students to examine an issue from multiple perspectives. Afterward, facilitate a whole-class discussion about the experience.

Simulations. Use QR codes to simulate real-world experiences. For example, in their book Innovations in the Simulations Lab, Sarah Manacek and Lorraine Pitcher, nursing faculty members, describe how they have used QR codes to simulate barcode scanning. First they created an online spreadsheet that included a list of scheduled medications for a sample patient, and then they created a QR code that linked to the spreadsheet. They printed out the QR code and placed it on the wristband of a mannequin patient. Nursing students used iPads to scan the QR code on the mannequin's wristband so that they could practice the proper protocol for administering medications.

8. Extend Learning Opportunities

Want to encourage students to go further? QR codes can help with that. Include QR codes that link to supplementary information or resources on your handouts and slides. You might even challenge students to find additional articles, videos, or other resources about a course-related topic and to create QR codes for sharing their findings with peers. Students can also use QR codes to connect with a wider audience. For example, they can create PSA videos or websites and post QR codes around campus to draw attention to critical issues. If they are doing poster presentations or other types of research presentations, they can include QR codes that link to their references or other related resources.

Important Considerations

When planning to have students use QR codes for classroom activities, instructors should ensure that all students will have access. Some students may not have smartphones or tablets, and others may have limited cellular data. If this is the case, consider utilizing QR codes for small-group activities in which only one student in the group would need to have a device. Instructors can also reach out to campus academic technology departments to see if they have tablets that can be checked out for classroom use. Lastly, conducting QR code activities in settings where students will have access to free campus Wi-Fi is desirable, but backup plans are needed in case the Wi-Fi happens to be spotty or down that day.

In a study about using QR codes in field-based courses, David Chapple, Bruce Weir, and Ricardo San Martin found that training students in the scanning process before doing QR code activities is critical for success. We often assume that students feel comfortable with technology simply because technology is so prevalent. However, the study authors found that this is not always the case and that students would benefit from being informed about how QR codes will be used.

Conclusion

QR codes open up a world of possibility in the higher education setting. They provide a quick and easy way for students to access instructional materials, and they complement the design of more interactive and engaging learning experiences.

Notes

1. EDUCAUSE, "7 Things You Should Know About QR Codes," February 13, 2009; Dantrea Hampton, Amanda Peach, and Benjamin Rawlins, "Extending Library Services with QR Codes," Reference Librarian 53, no. 4 (October 2012).

2. I have created a brief video tutorial as well.

3. William Antonelli, "How to Scan a QR Code on Your Android Phone or Tablet," Business Insider, November 19, 2021.

4. "Teaching Research Strategies with Padlet," Carroll University (website), November 3, 2020.

5. See, for example, Responsive Classroom, Energize Your Meetings! 35 Interactive Learning Structures for Educators (Turners Falls, MA: Center for Responsive Schools, 2015).

6. Sarah Manacek and Lorraine Pitcher, Innovations in the Simulation Lab: Innovative Ideas for the Healthcare Simulation Setting Using iPads (Apple Books, 2020), p. 7.

7. David Chapple, Bruce Weir, and Ricardo San Martin, "Can the Incorporation of Quick Response Codes and Smartphones Improve Field-Based Science Education?," International Journal of Innovation in Science and Mathematics Education 25, no. 2 (2017).

Tolulope (Tolu) Noah is Instructional Learning Spaces Coordinator at California State University, Long Beach.

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8 ways to use QR codes in the classroom - Center for Innovative Teaching and Learning

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By Tolulope (Tolu) Noah | August 10, 2022 Source: EDUCAUSE Review QR codes can complement the design of more interactive and engaging learning experiences in higher education. My obsession with QR (quick response) codes began over a decade ago, when I was a 5th- and 6th-grade classroom teacher.

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12 Ways to Use QR Codes in the Classroom

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12 Ways to Use QR Codes in the Classroom

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Creative tips for the interactive classroom

Photo credit: The Daring Librarian via flickr (CC BY-SA 2.0)

As mobile learning becomes more and more prevalent, we must find effective ways to leverage mobile tools in the classroom.

As always, the tool must fit the need. Mobile learning can create both the tool and the need. With safe and specific structures, mobile learning tools can harness the excitement of technology with the purpose of effective instruction. Using QR codes for instruction is one example of this.

A Quick Tutorial

QR stands for Quick Response. It's basically a quick, scannable barcode-like image that takes you to a specific digital destination. The one to the right, for example, will take you to a QR code generator. There you will be able to create all sorts of QR codes. (Feel free to search the web for them.) Before that, however, you will need an app that reads the QR codes. There are plenty of free QR code apps to download for Android and Apple Products. Just search. To read them, all you need is a phone with a camera. Free makes teachers happy, and of course makes the implementation of these practices easier. QR codes can send you to a link, mobile number, email, SMS, bookmark, link and more. Mary Beth Hertz did a great introductory blog on QR codes and mentioned ideas like scavenger hunts and advertising for the classroom. Below are some more ideas to give you a starting point for using QR codes.

1. Create 21st Century Resumes

Have students use QR to create resumes that link to other content such as their professional website or portfolio. All schools do some level of resume building and technical writing. Help them bring it into the 21st century by creating a resume that requires interaction. Not only will this help engage them in technical writing, but also their work will be innovative.

2. Show Exemplars

You can create QR for linking students to examples of quality work, whether it's PowerPoint or slideshare for a class presentation, or people speaking a foreign language specific to your current lesson.

3. Provide a Service

Integrate QR with a PBL or Service Learning project where students can create the codes that will link to the content they create. If students helped create awareness around spreading germs, for example, they might put the codes around the school or in a parent newsletter. They can take it a step further by creating codes for a local business or organization.

4. Make Your Classroom Greener

Save a few trees! Instead of making more printouts than everyone needs, give your students a QR that takes them to the instructions, announcement or assignment. It can save you space on your wall, and keep your classroom greener.

5. Incentivize and Praise

Award prizes by having students scan a code leading to an animation or badge. When they pass a test on commas, perhaps they get a code that takes them to a badge for Comma Guru! Students can even create their own codes to award each other. When a student sees something great happen, they can give a code that links to messages such as "Good Job from Andrew" and "Thanks for doing your part for the team."

6. Make Learning Stations

Put codes in different areas of the room that will take students to different online activities, videos or content. Using a great tool like the discussion protocol of reciprocal teaching (PDF) or a graphic organizer will help facilitate their interaction with the linked content.

7. Check Answers and Reflect

Have students check their answers by scanning the QR code after completing a test or assignment. As a teacher, you can visually confirm when students are checking their work and can also check in to see how they are doing. This will help track individual learning and can provide an opportunity for you to facilitate student reflection.

8. Provide Extension Assignments

A great way to provide optional activities for students who want to excel is to simply put the code on the class assignment and let them follow it to the extension activity or question. It won't take up much space, and might facilitate a little excitement about the extension assignment.

9. Compile Research

Have students create codes linking to items discovered during research. These could be posted in class wikis on a specific topic, or on a wall in the classroom. It helps give them ownership of the research process and literally creates "walls that talk."

10. Create Interactive Labs or Dissections

Codes attached to a skeleton model or dissected pig can take students to important directions or content. Or vice versa. Maybe this will help them to create the lab themselves or make a model for the class lab.

11. Differentiate Instruction

Perhaps you have a poem for students to analyze. You can provide additional scaffolding with a link to a recitation or focused questions to get them started. Use the QR to help you manage differentiation of the various strategies in your tool belt of teacher practices.

12. Vote

QR codes can be a great voting tool allowing students to vote by simply scanning the code as they enter or exit the classroom. This can save time, and it gets your students up and moving.

QR codes are a great arsenal for the teacher tool belt. Just remember, this technology is a tool and needs to fit a purpose. It can help create engagement in a lesson, manage your classroom, be part of student work or facilitate inquiry in a project. Please comment below and give us some or you best examples of how you use QR codes in the classroom. I like to say, "The wisdom is in the room." You are all rockstar teachers, so I would love to hear your ideas.

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Blogger and PBL specialist Andrew Miller offers an array of creative suggestions for using Quick Response codes in the classroom.

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Technology is here to stay, and there is nowhere that's truer than in classrooms from Pre-K through college. QR, or quick response, codes are one way to bring technology into your classroom and make learning more interactive and accessible. Students can use iPads or other school devices to give the QR codes a quick scan, bringing them to learning materials and activities that will enhance your classroom curriculum. There are numerous free online QR code generators to help you get started.

Here are a few fun and easy ways to use QR codes in your classroom.

1. Make learning stations

Place a few QR codes around your classroom that will take your students to short videos that reinforce concepts or websites that give further instruction and examples of what you're teaching.

2. Provide extension activities

Teachers always have one or two students that tend to finish everything really fast and then get bored. Have a few QR codes that provide extension videos, activities, or challenges so those early-finishers can stay engaged while everyone else finishes.

3. Check answers

Create QR codes that link to the answer key for assignments. When used selectively, students can check their answers, see what they did wrong, and then correct their mistakes.

Have a few QR codes that connect to photographs of what you're teaching so students can get a visual picture. You might include a picture of the brain when teaching about the human body or include photos of various historical landmarks when teaching important events in history.

5. Go on virtual field trips

Enable students to go on virtual field trips with just one scan! Now your students can have zoos, botanic gardens, famous places, and locations around the world literally at their fingertips.

6. Make book reviews

Add a few QR codes to your reading area to help students explore books they might be interested in reading. You might also use them to provide lists of books similar to the ones your students already love.

7. Streamline research

Create a file of information for your students to access and then make a QR code that links to all that information in one place. This saves the time of your students having to do research and directs them to the types of credible materials you want them to rely on.

8. Set up a digital gallery

Give parents and other loved ones a chance to see student work by making a digital gallery. Take photos of great examples of work, art projects, and other activities and make a slideshow others can access using a code.

9. Communicate with your students

Take a video of yourself explaining an important concept or, for younger kids, do a read aloud. Provide a QR code that takes students to the video.

10. Copy the museums

Many museums have little cards or displays that give important information about what you're seeing. Copy that idea in your classroom and around your school. For example, you might hang up important landmarks in your state or town with QR codes that provide historical facts, or you could hang up photos of the teachers in your school with ones that link to interesting facts about them.

11. Create fact cards or invitations

If you have an important school event coming up, such as parent teacher conferences or a holiday concert, make a QR code that links to all the facts you need your families to know. You might also make one with all the information families need to be successful in your class. Send the QR code home with students so parents know exactly what's coming and when.

12. Save paper

Instead of printing every single piece of paper you normally would, make QR codes that explain project expectations and deadlines, provide your syllabus, and more. You can also make them for your yearly school calendar and hot lunch menu, or give them to parents when they need all that important back-to-school information.

However you use QR codes in your classroom, your students will benefit. Start with the basics and some some fun with it!

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12 Amazing Ways to Use QR Codes in the Classroom

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QR, or quick response, codes are one way to bring technology into your classroom and make learning more interactive and accessible. Students can use iPads or other school devices to give the QR codes a quick scan, which can take them to learning materials and activities that will enhance your classroom curriculum.