On this page
Key takeaways
- QR codes connect printed worksheets, posters and books to videos, quizzes and audio.
- Google Form codes collect quizzes, exit tickets and permission slips in one spreadsheet.
- Text codes work offline: hints, answers and vocabulary without Wi-Fi.
- Link only to checked pages, and teach students to read the link preview.
QR codes in the classroom
Videos and audio on worksheets
A video QR code next to a question links the explanation; an audio QR code plays a listening exercise or the correct pronunciation. Students can watch again at their own pace.
Quizzes and exit tickets
A Google Form QR code on the board or the last slide collects answers from the whole class in a minute, with results in one spreadsheet.
Hints, answers and self-checking
Text QR codes hold hints or answers that appear only when a student scans, and work without internet. They are good for self-marking worksheets and differentiated tasks.
Scavenger hunts and stations
Codes around the room or school, each with a question or clue, turn revision into a game.
QR codes for parents
| Need | Code | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Permission slips, surveys | Google Form | Letters home, newsletters |
| Parent evenings, events | Event (add to calendar) | Letters, posters at the gate |
| Class group or updates | WhatsApp or Telegram | Welcome packs |
| Term dates, policies, menus | PDF or website | Newsletters, reception |
| Fees and donations | Your school’s payment page | Letters (check the link carefully) |
An event QR code on a letter puts parent evening in the family calendar, so it doesn’t depend on the letter surviving the school bag.
Around the school
- Library: book trailers, reviews by students and audiobook samples on the shelves.
- Displays: the video or story behind students’ projects at open days.
- Visitors: a sign-in form at reception and a WiFi QR code for the guest network.
- Events: the programme, tickets page and photo album for sports days and plays.
Reuse codes every year
Quick ideas by subject
- Languages: audio of native speakers next to vocabulary lists.
- Maths: worked-solution videos next to homework problems.
- Science: experiment videos and safety sheets at each lab station.
- History and geography: maps, archive photos and documents on timeline posters.
- Art and music: artist interviews, recordings and student portfolios.
Safety and privacy
- Check every link before printing, on a student device, signed out.
- Avoid ads and comments where you can: unlisted videos, or videos embedded in your learning platform.
- Don’t put personal data in codes. Anyone can scan a code on a wall; never encode student names or contact details.
- Teach the habit of reading the link preview before opening it. Our guide on how to scan QR codes safely has a short safety checklist.
Payment codes
Getting started
- 1Pick one lesson and add a video or quiz code to the worksheet.
- 2Print it at least 2.5 cm wide and test it on a class device.
- 3Add a label so students know what they will get: “Scan for the worked example”.
- 4Use dynamic codes for anything you will reuse next term.
All QR-10 generators are free, and a free account includes three dynamic codes for reuse.