Week 3: Using Wordle with my students

Sheikha_Al-Ajmi - Oct 11, 2009 10:15 pm (6.)
Dear teachers and course mates,
After reading the article written by Terry Freedman and applying the Wordle myself in week 2, I feel that it is time to expose our students to this new technique. Honestly, I am not better than those teachers who accompanied Freedman in his tour round the press association and haven’t got any idea what Wordle means. Before being iEARNER, I didn't know of the existence of Wordle and its benefits as an effective tool to facilitate teaching and learning. I totally agree with the writer when he said 'Wordle is handy for self-reflection' because most of the time students get lost in their readings and writings, and they don't really know what they are talking about. Therefore, creating a Wordle would make it much easier for them to reflect upon the given text and summarize the text. What I really like about the article is the given details on how to use Wordle in many ways which we didn't pay attention to before. These ways would save us time and effort and they would create a variety in the daily routine. I completely agree with the writer, it would break up the text and it would be a funny and interesting way to be used.

I only have one concern, as I understand Wordle can be easily applied on students whose age ranges between 15 to 18 but what about those who are too young like 7 or 8 years old, can they use it in their learning and in what ways?
Regards,
Sheikha



Abdesalam_Zouita - Oct 12, 2009 2:16 pm (6.2)
Dear Sheikha,
It is a good point to put forward. What about 7 and 8 years?
Wordle can be used with any different age group.
I have tried to create one Wordle by choosing few words. It is amazing. Here is the link:
http://www.wordle.net/show/wrdl/1219659/What_to_eat
Students can be given a list of items on the Wordle and ask them to cross them as a game. Therefore, it can be used to teach vocabulary effectively. Many activities can be created using World. I have just thought of them through your question
Abdesalam

Abdesalam_Zouita - Oct 12, 2009 1:28 pm (10.)
Wordle into questions
Personally, I have already used Wordle in an ICT workshop, but I have never used it with my students as there is no possible connection in the classroom and the multimedia room is so often hectic. However, it would a nice tool to introduce for students to see how many ideas they can include in their essay or any printed contribution. It could serve as a warm up activities, when introducing the theme of unit or book, especially when the teacher would like the students to stay focused on particular points. It can also be used after interpreting pictures in critical thinking activities. By making a Wordle, the students may be aware of the contents they have discussed.
However, this awareness is limited to content and not to the structure of the produced piece of writing. Wordle can be very easy for the teacher, but it too demanding as either the teachers or students who are supposed to write what they come up with instead of concentrating other effective learning. I think using Wordle in a survey would not be that efficient, as in analyzing a given data of a questionnaire, we need all details to reach highly effective results.
Abdesalam



Abdesalam_Zouita - Oct 12, 2009 1:54 pm (11.)
Wordle size?
Here is Freedman article in a Wordle:
http://www.wordle.net/show/wrdl/1219568/Wordle

I am wondering why we have different sizes of words in Wordle?
What does each size symbolize?
What does each color stand for?
Why do we have different colors within the same color?
What is the reason behind Horizontal, vertical words?
Abdesalam


Kheira_Mezough - Oct 17, 2009 1:10 pm (30.)
I can't design my Wordle
Hello,
I need help because though I typed a text to create my Wordle, it doesn't work.


Abdesalam_Zouita - Nov 8, 2009 9:21 am (30.1)
Hello,
I am wondering if you already have help or not.
I think it is a matter of following the instructions given in the website.
You can copy and paste any text after clicking on create a Wordle. Then, you proceed with the rest of the instructions

Regards