WORD CLOUDS

There are a number of software applications which allow you to create word clouds.  All you have to do is enter keys words for a lesson and it will produce a word cloud.

WORDLE

Wordle is an easy online application to use.  It allows for the creation of word clouds by entering text or by entering the URL of any blog or blog feed, or any a web page which has an Atom or RSS feed.

It does allow for the user to be creative and choose different layouts, colours, fonts and it allows the user to save and print the document.  The greater the frequency of a particular word the more prominent it appears in the cloud.

This can be used as an assessment tool for learners to identify keys words which relate to the learning.

Another useful word cloud generator is https://tagul.com/

This online application is simple to use and offers the user a range of options similar to Wordle but the with Tagul I found it more creative as it offers uses the text to be displayed in a variety of shapes. It allows the user to add text, change the size, colour, angle, font and whether the word is repeated or not.  For the purposes of using this a tool for teaching it is very effective and free.

Bandeen and Sawin (2012) state an important point and that the use of word clouds not only allow discussion around the key words but also those words which are missing, words to help theorise the concept, and to understand important themes in the lesson.

I would use both applications as part of my lessons as it will aid in assessment of learning through discussion, question and answer, but also help to link key words to theory or standards.

References:

Bandeen, H, & Sawin, J 2012, 'Encourage Students to Read through the Use of Data Visualization', College Teaching, 60, 1, pp. 38-39, ERIC, EBSCOhost, viewed 14 January 2016.

https://tagul.com/ (Accessed on: 25 October 2015)

 

http://www.wordle.net  (Accessed on: 20 October 2015)