Search
Generating Word Clouds
Wordle
Wordle is a tool to quickly review written texts and capture the key messages without having to read the complete text!
Pros:
- Is an easy to learn online tool that promotes literacy and vocabulary building.
- Learn to make Wordles even if their typing skills are not well developed, since the key steps of making a wordle are copying and pasting.
- Reveals the key words and messages in a written text before one reads it in its entirety. They support vocabulary building and knowledge creation.
- Reaches visual learners and can assist them in their understanding of written texts.
Cons:
- Has some colour options on the colour palette that may be difficult to see for some learners.
- Needs to be used as part of a larger learning project where students are encouraged to go beyond just making the word picture, learners should be assisted to answer questions, think about ideas and use the tool to understand the text in a deeper way.
- Does not highlight certain key words that may require additional teaching support.
How To:
-
Click on image for larger view.
Access a Wordle at Wordle.net
-
Click on image for larger view.
Click on the "Create your own" button and begin to make your wordle.
-
Click on image for larger view.
An Wordle example.
-
Click on image for larger view.
See how you can select different colours for your wordle.
-
Click on image for larger view.
See how you can select different fonts for your wordle.
-
Click on image for larger view.
By clicking on the menus on the top of the image you can edit the text, the language, the font, the layout and the colour, until the cloud looks like you want it.
-
Click on image for larger view.
You can print the wordle or save it to the public gallery. By saving it you create a unique URL for the wordle and you can share the link or embed it into your web pages.
Relevant Literature:
- Gina Mikel Petrie. ESL Teachers’ Views on Visual Language: A Grounded Theory.