To the Cloud
Creative Ways to Look Text
What's a word cloud?
A word cloud, or tag cloud, is a visualization of word frequency of a given passage of text. The larger the words displayed, the greater the frequency of the word use. Word clouds can be generated by entering text or a website url.
A word cloud, or tag cloud, is a visualization of word frequency of a given passage of text. The larger the words displayed, the greater the frequency of the word use. Word clouds can be generated by entering text or a website url.
Wordle allows you to create beautiful word clouds from a website, from student discussion, or from a text file (like a speech, or a student's paper!). I've had a faculty member suggest running the course syllabus through Wordle, to see what words were really emphasized - are you sending the message that you think you're sending?
In the Classroom...
Here's a question you might ask your students:
What was the President's message from the 2011 State of the Union address?
The transcript was copied and pasted into Word, and the word "applause" was removed prior to creating a Wordle.
What was the President's message from the 2011 State of the Union address?
The transcript was copied and pasted into Word, and the word "applause" was removed prior to creating a Wordle.
Now it's your turn...
Use a copy of the text or url from the State of the Union address to test drive Wordle, or search for your own text or url. Try font, layout, and color options to create a unique Wordle of your own.
state_of_union_2011.doc | |
File Size: | 72 kb |
File Type: | doc |
State of Union 2011:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2011/01/25/remarks-president-state-union-address
http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2011/01/25/remarks-president-state-union-address
Let's Discuss...
How might you use Wordle in your courses?
Want More?
Tagxedo - Take your word clouds to the next level. Use custom shapes and photos to render your word cloud.
Seven Things You Should Know about Data Visualization II - From Educause's Seven Things library.
Forty-six Interesting Ways to Use Wordle in the Classroom - More ideas and applications for Wordle in the classroom.
Seven Things You Should Know about Data Visualization II - From Educause's Seven Things library.
Forty-six Interesting Ways to Use Wordle in the Classroom - More ideas and applications for Wordle in the classroom.