Wordle

=Wordle=

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//Wordle// ([]) is a tool for generating “word clouds” from text that you provide (copy and paste). In effect, a word cloud is a visual representation of the word content of a website or another type of text. Wordle allows you to type in or paste any source text you would like. For example, the source text for the //Wordle// included above is Chapter 1 of //Pride and Prejudice// (click on image for larger view).

In //Wordle//, the clouds that are created give greater prominence to words that appear more frequently in the source text. You can also adjust your clouds with different fonts, layouts, and color schemes. The images you create with //Wordle// are yours to use however you like. You can print them out, or save them to the //Wordle// gallery to share with friends, colleagues, and/or students.

In addition, you can use these word clouds as a tool for analyzing writing – published writing of course, as the example above demonstrates - but also student writing. One strategy for analyzing student writing, and having students contemplate their writing (and that of their peers), is to consider the //Wordle// for a given text in terms of the main themes that show up given the prominence of those words that appear more frequently in the text. In effect, the //Wordle// provides a way of seeing and determining whether the main theme or central idea is clear enough.

Another strategy is to use the word clouds as a way to examine word choice in a given document or student paper. In terms of student writing, students can be coached to look at the //Wordle// for those words that do appear most prominently to make sure they are specific and detailed as opposed to vague and abstract. For example, if words like "tree", "cat", or "man" were prominent in the word cloud, the student could be coached to revise for stronger nouns that are more concrete and specific – such as "Dogwood" or "Weeping Willow" rather than "tree", or "burnt-orange tabby" rather than "cat", and "bald, stuttering veterinarian" rather than "man". This could also be extended to looking for strong action verbs versus relying too heavily on forms of “to be” or linking verbs.

Similarly, students can be coached to note words that might repeat too often, as indicated by being overly prominent in the //Wordle//. For example, if the word “like” appeared in very large font, this would be a cue for students to revise so that they didn’t use the word so often in their paper.

Learning Goals

 * Observe and reflect upon a few example //Wordles//.
 * Plan and construct an effective learning experience associated with English I Competency Goal 6 supported by //Wordle// in a 1:1 setting.

**Step 1: Getting to Know Wordle**
//Complete the following://
 * Go to Wordle.net ([]), read over the site, and review some of the //Wordles// created in the gallery on the site.
 * Practice using //Wordle// with a variety of texts.
 * Copy the text, and then click on the "**Create**" link and paste it into the text box provided. Once you have all of the words in the text box, click on **"Go**" and viola you have your first //Wordle//!
 * Note that at the top of your //Wordle//, you have links to tweak the font, layout, and color schemes if you decide to experiment. Once you have the design you like most, click on **"Save to Public Gallery"**, and you will have the opportunity to name your //Wordle//, create a user name, and provide a brief description of your creation.
 * More importantly, this also takes you to the screen where your //Wordle// has its own unique URL. From this page, you can open your //Wordle// in its own window, print it, and use the embed code provided at the bottom of the page to embed your //Wordle// on your own website, blog, wiki, etc. //**Save this URL** somewhere where you have access to it as the search function in Wordle is not extremely accurate or powerful.//
 * **//Wordle// is NOT searchable; therefore, make your copy and paste your URL to a Word document ASAP.**

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**Step 2**: **Design an Instructional Activity Using //Wordle//**
Now that you have your first //Wordle//, create an instructional activity where your students can make some observations about the visual representation of text and conduct some analysis using //Wordle//. For example, how could you guide your students to discover:
 * The prominent words in a text.
 * What these prominent words suggest about the text.
 * Actual theme or themes you hope to engage students with as they read and study the text.

//Be prepared to://
 * Provide a brief description of an instructional activity you have designed using //Wordle// to enhance your students’ learning for ELA in your 1:1 classroom.
 * Include NCSCOS learner objectives, sequence of instructional activity, related text, teacher actions, student actions, associated questions, anticipated informative assessment, or anything else necessary to illuminate the essence of the activity.

**Step 3:** **Post Brief Instructional Activity Description and URL Link/Embeddable Code**
When you are ready to post the URL/code and an overview of your instructional use of //Wordle//, (be sure to **specify the text** that is the word source for your //Wordle//), go to the ELA Tool Showcase (see left navigation bar) and follow the directions found there.

How you will be evaluated
Successful completion of this activity will be based on the Instructional Activity Rubric. Post to the wiki **by the end** of this session.


 * ~ YES ||~ NO ||~ Does your assignment/activity meet the following criteria? ||
 * ||  || Provides a WORKING URL/Embeddable code. ||
 * ||  || Instructional activity overview is provided that integrates ELA tool into instructional activities. ||
 * ||  || Student learning objectives are clearly stated and are aligned to the English NCSCOS. ||

What to Do Next
Complete this assignment, if you choose //Wordle// as one of your tools, then check out **Penzu.**

Image Coryright Information
http://www.wordle.net/show/wrdl/481501/Pride_and_Prejudice_