Bitly can generate a QR code for any link, not just a shortened URL. Point it at a hosted audio file, a worksheet, or any other resource, and it produces a scannable code you can drop straight onto a printed or digital worksheet. Unlike creating a QR code through a browser like Chrome, Bitly also tracks basic usage data on each code.

Why use this tool?

The main advantage over a quick browser-generated QR code is the analytics. Once a code has been scanned, Bitly shows basic data like the number of scans and the country they came from (with a paid account offering more detail on that data). This is useful for checking whether students are actually accessing supplemental or bonus material — for example, whether they listened to a recording linked from a worksheet the night before.

Bitly also lets you tag QR codes as you create them, which makes it easy to keep everything organized if you're generating a lot of codes for different worksheets or activities over time.

One tradeoff to be aware of: a Bitly QR code sometimes triggers an interstitial screen asking users to download the Bitly app or sign up, before continuing to the destination. This doesn't happen every time, but it's more likely to happen with Bitly than with a code generated directly through Chrome, which typically goes straight to the destination.

How to use it

1. Open Bitly and go to QR Codes. This shows any QR codes you've already created, along with the option to make a new one.
2. Click Create and enter your destination URL. Paste in the link you want the code to point to — for example, a link to hosted audio on SoundCloud.
3. Add a title and tag. Bitly will often auto-populate a title from the link; you can edit it if you like. Add a tag (e.g. "Worksheet") to help keep multiple codes organized.
4. Design and create the code. Adjust the code's colors if you'd like, then click "Create Your Code."
5. Download and use it. Download the QR code image and place it on your worksheet in place of a written link.
6. Check analytics after use. Return to the code in Bitly to see scan data, such as how many times it's been scanned and from where.

This pairs naturally with any worksheet that links out to hosted audio — build the audio activity, host the file, generate a Bitly QR code linking to it, and place the code on the printed or digital worksheet.