Sphero Edu QR CodesUpdated 5 months ago

Types of QR Codes

The Sphero Edu app can scan and open official Sphero Edu QR codes. Sphero Edu QR codes are QR codes that lead to a URL for a public program or public lesson. Any QR code leading to another website, service, etc. will fail when scanned within the Sphero Edu app. User-made QR codes that meet the requirements of the Edu app are also supported. These user-made QR codes must link to a program or lesson.

Supported Platforms

The Sphero Edu app has in-app QR code scanning on the following platforms, provided the app version is 5.2.4 or higher:

• iOS
• Android (including when used with Chromebooks)
• Amazon Fire OS
• macOS

Products with QR Codes

Various Sphero products include QR codes. These codes allow for quick, convenient shortcuts to programs and lessons. The current products with Sphero Edu-supported QR codes include:

• Computer Science Foundations: All 3 Sphero Computer Science Foundation curriculum books include QR codes that can be scanned by teachers and students to open the associated CS Foundations lessons.
• Sphero Mini Edu lesson cards: Edu lesson cards are bundled with the 16 pack release of Sphero Mini. These cards include QR codes that allow the user to quickly open associated programs.

Creating Your Own Codes

Each public program or lesson can be made into a shareable QR code. Follow these steps to create your own!

1. Go to spherocentral.com in your browser and find the Sphero Edu program or lesson you'd like to create a QR code for in the BOLT+/RVR+/Mini section of the website. 
2. Select and copy the URL from the address bar for that lesson or program.
3. Enter or paste the copied address in a QR code generator. There are generally two types of QR codes: static and dynamic. Dynamic QR codes include a "short URL" and allow you to change the program or lesson URL later without needing to change the QR code itself.
   1. Static QR codes work well for all programs and lessons. These are easily read by the Sphero Edu app on all supported platforms.
   2. Dynamic QR codes are supported in the Sphero Edu app. These are useful if you want to use the same QR code over time, but change the associated program or lesson at a later date. Dynamic QR codes need to include a short URL that is "HTTPS" as opposed to "HTTP". This will ensure compatibility with iOS and Android versions of the Sphero Edu app.

NOTE: Dynamic QR codes may appear as "invalid" on the Chromebook version of Sphero Edu. If this happens, use static QR codes instead.

Troubleshooting

Invalid QR Codes

• Make sure you are scanning a valid Sphero Edu QR code. A valid QR code always leads to a program or lesson in the Edu app.
• Programs and lessons must be made public, otherwise they will display as an "invalid QR code" when scanned by other users. However, you can scan your own private QR codes as long as you are signed in and have access to them.
• If a dynamic QR code is scanned, the short URL must include HTTPS for security purposes. Otherwise it will appear as an "invalid" QR code when scanned on iOS and Android devices.
• Unofficial dynamic QR codes are not supported on Chromebook. If an unofficial QR code is scanned, it will appear as an "invalid" QR code.

Camera Issues

• Camera permissions need to be granted on the following platforms before users can access the QR code scanner in the Sphero Edu app:
  • iOS
  • macOS
  • Android
  • Amazon Fire OS
  If these permissions are denied initially, then they will need to be enabled through the device operating system settings before access to the QR code scanner is allowed.

Difficulty Scanning

• Ensure there is enough lighting on the QR code for the camera to adequately scan the code.
• Some cameras on devices do not have auto focus. As a result, QR codes may appear blurry when they are too close to the camera. Move the QR code further away from the camera until it is in focus.
• If you are having trouble scanning your own QR codes, try resizing them and making them bigger. Larger QR codes are easier to scan with some cameras.