Generating Word Clouds

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Using Research in Nursing to Produce Vocabulary

“Using Research in Nursing to Produce Vocabulary” is an activity that creates word clouds (www.wordle.net) for the purpose of using the vocabulary from the research. The goal is to increase knowledge of content information and vocabulary development as a result of research.

Outcomes:

The learner will be able to:

  • Use research to gather vocabulary on a related topic to produce a word cloud
  • Gain more knowledge and vocabulary related to nursing

Preparation:

  • Discuss concept of word cloud with different size of font correlating to the number of times a word appears in a text
  • See an activity example using this tool (link text to the url) [http://www.wordle.net/show/wrdl/4727914/Nurses_and_Patients]
  • Discuss written expectations 2-3 paragraphs using the vocabulary words (presenting information and ideas - technical in nature, and providing detailed description)
    • Summarize using detail description addressing the purpose of the writing, expressing main idea and supportive details, correct grammar, adequate vocabulary, with an introduction, development and conclusion with logical connectors and accurate spelling

Delivery:

  1. Introduce the tool if necessary
    • Clarify participation expectations - one wordle with each summary
  2. Research the topic (working with patients) in triads or small groups
  3. Write a summary after research about working with patients and/ or dealing with difficult patients
  4. Copy the text into www.wordle.net; print the resulting word cloud
  5. Share the word cloud with a partner:
    • Share word list with partner as well; create a combined word list

Activity Reference Links:

The Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) skills addressed by this activity are:

  • Listening
  • Speaking
  • Reading
  • Writing