Tech, Tac, Toe: QR Codes & Four Squares

For my last tool, I decided to use QR codes.  QR codes are constantly used in the world as a means to link individuals to additional information through the use of a scanner on their phones.  I think that they would also be just as helpful within a classroom where attaining additional information is key.  I went back to the subject of math again and focused on the concept of multiplying.  For this particular activity, I merged two tools together: QR codes and Four Squares.  Four Squares are exactly what they sound like. They are four squares aligned together to make one, overall, large square.  A teacher can then have a student take a topic or problem and have each square be a specific description or view of that particular topic.  Basically, it is taking one thing and dividing or viewing it four different ways.  They can be used for any subject, but I have most commonly seen them used for writing.  I decided to change things up a bit.

Four Squares are even found outside of the classroom!

What I did with my Four Square was that I took a multiplication problem and then had the student solve the problem in four different ways using an individual square to show each way.  My first square asked them to solve the problem traditionally, but to put the answer in expanded form.  The second square asked them to draw an array to find the answer.  Third square asked them to use repeated addition, and the fourth square asked them to find the answer by skip counting.  By using several means of finding the answer, the students are triple checking their original answer and understanding the concept of how to multiply a little more effectively.
At the bottom right corner of each square is a QR code.  Once the students have written down their answers within each square, they are then allowed to check their answers by using their iPads and scanning the codes.  The codes will bring them to the answers.  Underneath each answer, I ask the students: "Did you get it right?  If not, where did you go wrong?"  I would then have them correct their own answers to further their understanding and comprehension of the concept.
QR codes are easy to make and use.  My only qualm with the website http://www.qrstuff.com where I generated my codes was that it would not allow you to link the code to a personal document.  I only realized afterward I had made a Word document for each code that I actually had to manually type in what I wanted to say.  I ended up not using my Word document which was a tad irritating, but I found other resources and it worked out all the same.
I think that QR codes are an inventive way of linking our students to more opportunities to learn.  They are very simple and effortless, but they add just that little bit more to the lesson.  They encourage independent learning and curiosity for the unknown.  I think that these are a great, simple tool that any teacher can take advantage of.  I know that I personally will when I have my own classroom.

Below is my example of a Four Square/QR code hybrid.  Free for commercial reuse.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1GlT2sqZ9k3I58yjIEZIAorOs0irBswTHjcKvUgD0Lac/edit

All hail the QR!