Google URL Shortener & QR Codes

Google now provide a URL shortening service - goo.gl.

This is nothing new! There are many different URL shorteners around eg. tiny.cc, bit.ly or ow.ly. The beauty of the Google service is that it also provides a QR code for the shortened URL.

For beginners: URL is an acronym for Uniform Resource Locator. Sometimes URL's can be really LONG so when you are wanting to share them with someone you can make it more convenient by using a URL shortening service. You copy and paste your long URL into their website and in return they will give you a modified and shorter URL to use that will still take you to the original URL's destination.

Google's URL shortener not only takes a long url and converts it to a short one for you, but it also provides a QR code for the URL address you just shortened.

QR Code..... what is that?
It is a square that looks something like this:Now it is not going to be of much use to you unless you have a QR code reader.


Some mobile phones have QR readers built into them. If you have one of the smart phones (or 4th generation iPod touch) you will be able to download a QR reader application - they are available free on iTunes.


Once you have a QR reader on a device you are set. When you come across a QR code, scan it using your QR reader and wait for all to be revealed behind the code. It may take you to a website. It may contain a message, perhaps it will reveal an image sitting on a website like Flickr... this is where you are limited by your imagination as to what lies hidden behind the code.

The QR reader for iphone allows you to then share the "mystery link" via email, SMS, Facebook, Twitter or simply take a copy.



















Now I am thinking about the authentic and genuine uses QR codes could bring to the classroom. Your comments in this area are most welcome.

1. First and perhaps the most obvious use is in the Physical Education curriculum. It could be used in orienteering type activities where the students scan the code to reveal the next set of co-ordinates. At the end of the year we run school camps and one is based locally so it could be incorporated into one of those activities.
2. ummm... how else could be used authentically in a class??

I'll come back and edit this when I think of some other ideas... Well I have not so much come back with other ideas but I would highly recommend this blog post by Joel Buckland - 30 interesting ways QR codes are being used.

This is a Google presentation - at the time I posted this link it contained 14 INTERESTING ways you could use QR codes in the classroom.

QR codes will become commonplace, Likify is one site that has come up with a unique way of using them. Basically you create your own likify page for which you get a QR code for. You then put your QR code into the public arena for people to scan, this takes them to YOUR likify page where they can "like" your page. Check out this MakeUseOf article for a clearer explanation.