iLearn Technology

Ad Decoder

What it is: Ad Decoder is a web game created by the Center of Disease Control and Prevention. The game teaches students how to decode advertisements to learn the difference between real and ideal as well as some of the tactics that advertisers use to get them to buy a product. Students flip through a virtual magazine full of advertisements and try to decode the messages the ad sends off. When students scroll over the message the true message pops up. How to integrate Ad Decoder into the classroom: Ad Decoder is a great tool to use with students to promote a positive self image and character development. It helps them recognize advertisements and the true messages they send. It can also be used to teach students how to spot ads both on the web and in magazines. (Those advertisers are getting so sneaky…ads are starting to get really good at blending in with the good stuff!) Use the online Ad Decoder tool and as an extension activity, have the students go through other magazines and “decode” the messages in the advertisements. This should spark some very interesting discussion! Tips: The Center for Disease Control and Prevention has some other quality student activities including food and nutrition, physical activity, safety, and more. Check out the other quality activities and games on the site! Please leave a comment and share how you are using Ad Decoder in your classroom.

A Thanksgiving Story

Posted by admin | Posted in Fun & Games, Interactive book, Language Arts, Primary Elementary, Secondary Elementary, Websites | Posted on 23-11-2009

Tags: a thanksgiving story, holiday, interactive story, mad libs, thanksgiving

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What it is: A Thanksgiving Story is a site that lets your students star in a story all about Thanksgiving. Students fill in some blanks (Mad Libs style) and a Thanksgiving story is generated with students as the stars of the story. This is a quick but fun Thanksgiving activity for your students.

How to integrate A Thanksgiving Story into the classroom: Set up your classroom computers as a Thanksgiving publishing center where your students can quickly fill in the blanks and create a unique Thanksgiving story that stars them. Make sure that you have a way for students to print or email the story home when they are finished. The story would be a fun one for students to share at Thanksgiving dinner. If you have access to a computer lab, students could work on these independently in about 10 minutes.

Tips: I learned about A Thanksgiving Story from @cindybrock on Twitter. My PLN is the best!

Leave a comment and share how you are using A Thanksgiving Story in your classroom.