Creating and reading QR codes on the iPhone is quick and easy with the Optiscan app from Airsource. This app will automatically scan and read a code when you point your camera’s phone at it. It reads equally well from a computer or iPhone screen as it does from paper. Once it has read the code it presents you with the information, e.g. a website, someone’s contact details or some text information.

The software also allows you to generate a QR code for a url, contact or a piece of text. This is very simple to do. For example, to generate a QR code for a website simply select the  URL icon on the share tab, and then type in the URL. After you have finished press the “Done” key on the keyboard and the QR code will be shown. There is no need to type in “http://” in front of the URL.

Here is the QR code for a picture of my beautiful partner on the beach in Mingulay.

Here is the url to one of my favourite TED talks.

I can see many educational uses for these QR codes, e.g.

1. Course information such as exam timetables, assessment schedules, lecture notes, powerpoint slides, videos …..etc could be made available via the course website so students could download the information directly to their phones.

2. QR codes could be used in combination with some Web 2.0 tools such as Netvibes or Facebook to give student access to course materials.

3. In museums and art galleries, information about an exhibit could be made available through a QR code.

I’m sure there are loads more examples.