There are many possibilities for using word clouds in language courses. I've listed around 35 of them here with a few hints on what to do.

- preview a presentation or a text

- preview the current day’s lesson plan

- predict the content of a text e.g. topics, style, purpose, intended audience

- predict the content of a novel e.g. plot lines, characters, genre or themes as group work

- complete reading comprehension questions just from a word cloud, then comparing answers after reading the actual text

- summarise a presentation

- turn a text into a picture (essay, report, paragraph, article, etc.)

- identify the key words in a text based on their size in the word cloud

- expanding vocabulary (definitions, synonyms, antonyms, or brainstorm words associated with a new one, match parts of collocations)

- student-created flashcards of essential words (review, circle unknown, learn)

- discussion starter (student chooses one word from cloud to speak about)

- add to printed or online course materials

- use as a background for slides or online materials

- compare student responses (make one cloud, or separate ones to compare)

- explore a topic (students add own ideas to a question stimulus & build a cloud)

- take a quick class poll or track a poll over time (multiple clouds side-by-side)

- introduce new course, syllabus or module (provides an overview of content)

- introduce course objectives

- student ice-breaker e.g. all input hobbies, interests, future aspirations, family, pets, favourite films or books, country of origin, etc.

- highlight the main areas to focus on from rubrics to gain the best grades

- highlight examples of misspelled or overused words in student writing by inputting their own work

- illustrate contrasting ideas (show two clouds side-by-side), such as opposing arguments in essays or articles

- research texts from multiple sources then combine them into a cloud

- ‘find the words’ game (e.g. mix academic & non-academic in a cloud & identify)

- ‘guess the topic’ game, or combine two topics in one cloud and students separate them out

- ‘grammar game’ e.g. students classify words from a cloud into different parts of speech or different tenses

- ‘sentence structure’ game e.g. input a complex sentence or short series of sentences into a word cloud, and have students reconstruct them in the correct word order

- ‘memory game’ e.g. show a word cloud, take it off the screen, students write as many words as they can recall

- identify parts of speech (students highlight or underline in different colours)

- visual analysis of qualitative data (e.g. convert a table to a picture)

- curriculum mapping across multiple subjects

- checking the balance between course content and course objectives

Here is a multiple-lesson design thanks to http://tborash.wordpress.com/2011/04/03/designing-lessons-using-wordle/:

While not a flawless design, these six steps seemed paramount in increasing students' desire to learn:

• Students pre-assessing their own knowledge and understanding - "What does _insert topic here_ mean to me?"
• Students using Wordle to analyze the pre-assessment responses
• Students "doing stuff" to experience _insert topic here_ in real life - "What happens when I do this?" (this is the learning phase)
• Students responding to what they now know and understand - "What does _insert topic here_ mean to me today?"
• Students comparing the Wordle of their current thinking to that of their pre-assessment responses
• Students asking the question, "Given what I first thought, and what I now think, what do I think of next?"

Without the use of Wordle, we lose out on a central piece of this lesson design puzzle.

Benefits:

- assists with motivation

- assists with thinking skills

- enlivens course content in all macro-skills

- appeals to visual learners

Places to Try:

http://abcya.com/word_clouds.htm (for young learners)

http://www.literature-map.com/ (more for readers of English lit.)

http://www.imagechef.com/ic/word_mosaic/ (has iOS & Android apps.)

http://tagcrowd.com/

http://taggalaxy.com/

http://tagul.com/ (each tag is linkable with a URL for navigation)

http://www.tagxedo.com/

http://www.visualthesaurus.com/vocabgrabber/ (also has visual thesaurus!)

http://worditout.com/

http://www.wordle.net/ (very easy to use, MOST favoured by teachers)

http://wordsift.com/ (from Stanford University ELL)


The word cloud illustrated above was prepared by myself using Wordle.

I'm pleased to announce a new page on 'Teacher Greg's Education Home'.

The motivation for it came from my desire to engage the many colleagues with whom I work, in a conversation about ELICOS (English Language Intensive Course of Study) and EAP (English for Academic Purposes) programs and how they operate at my institution. Like many workplaces, the pressures of just keeping on top of the teaching have meant that opportunities for genuine discussion, sharing and reflection have become rare, formal meetings have become ineffectual, and inefficiencies have naturally arisen as a result.

'TESOL forums' will be a chance to recover lost ground, to re-ignite the discussion, and to move forward in more practical ways. It will take some effort to 'sell' the idea and overcome the hesitation of others, but I'm taking the first steps while hoping this will lead them to continue the conversation.

Those who expect moments of change to be comfortable and free of conflict have not learned their history. -Joan Wallach Scott
Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending. -Maria Robinson

I sent this email today to respond to a posting about a principal who threatened a family with serious consequences if they stood in the way of their son completing a standardised test. The original post is here:http://theinnovativeeducator.blogspot.com/2012/04/tell-bully-principal-how-you-feel.html 


I hope you will look at the case and consider taking some action too.
"Dear Principal,
Sadly what your vision statement lacks is the same respect, acceptance, celebration or valuing of parents. In fact it doesn't even mention parents.
You can hide behind rules if you like - I suppose your job depends on it to some degree - but it is more fundamental to recognise that parents, not legislators, have the primary responsibility for the education of their children, and for the choices of how and where that will happen.
So, I do not agree with your approach to student Joseph. It will do nothing for your attempts at forging a school-home partnership, especially if your approach is that the school is right and parents are wrong. This is an unequal partnership at best, and sounds quite hollow given your threats of intervention.
Sure, you have the 'discretion' to contact CPS, but equally you have the choice not to. If you want to work with parents, I would respectfully suggest that such an approach would be counterproductive.
More fundamentally, you are violating both the rights of Joseph and his parents. I refer you to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (a much higher authority than you quoted in your email). In particular, I would highlight:
(1) governments should respect the rights of parents in guiding their children (you do not)
(2) governments are to assist families in nurturing their children (you are trying to separate them)
(3) when making decisions, children have the right to say what they think should happen and have their opinion taken into account (did you even talk to Joseph?)
(4) children have a particular responsibility to respect the rights their parents, and education should aim to develop respect for the values and culture of their parents (if you don't respect their values, how much less will Joseph do so by following your example?)
I suggest you should re-consider your position, apologise to Joseph, his family, any other students and families you have abused, and, finally you should act as an advocate for families rather than their adversary by lobbying for them with legislators in your State who obviously are disregarding rights accepted by the US government on behalf of the country.
Greg.

Principled Possibilities - Ideas for Teaching is a unique publication representing the summation of four years of graduate study, and my own experiences, discoveries, experiments and successes over eight years of teaching throughout Asia and the Pacific. Uniquely the book includes: - a wide selection of academic papers, conference and training presentations, and curriculum and planning documents, - links to websites and other resources for exploring the topics further and contacting the author, - ideas ranging from working with absolute young beginners to adult and upper-intermediate level students, - discussions of current challenges and controversies in teaching, - approaches to online and computer-assisted learning, and - suggestions in the field of English language teaching.  


Here is the full introduction to give you some more details:My transition from office work to education was a late one, and came about more by accident than design.

Having successfully trained as a classical musician, I realised that performance opportunities would be limited at my age, so it seemed that music education would be the most logical progression. Having successfully trained as a teacher, I discovered that music teaching opportunities would also be scarce, apart from those occasionally arising in outback Australia.

At the suggestion of a friend I decided to dip my toes into the field of English language teaching by working at a winter camp in Shanghai, China. It was the joy of that experience which sparked my desire to work and travel further.

Several training courses later I began my new career, at first in Australia with children and later with adults from Europe, South America and Asia. From there I have experienced life in the Sultanate of Brunei, Malaysia, South Korea and Taiwan, where I am presently located.

While there is much material available in the field of EFL (English as a Foreign Language), I feel that my own experiences, discoveries, experiments, successes and failures over the last eight years in a variety of settings, with children to adults, and with absolute beginners to upper-intermediate students, are worth sharing with others.

The present book, therefore, includes academic papers, conference and training presentations, and curriculum and planning papers to assist fellow educators. Many of these were developed in the context of formal tertiary training in Queensland, Australia, and refer to issues and cases from that location. Nevertheless, they are equally relevant in other English-speaking contexts.

There are also links to my Internet-based materials and websites where electronic versions of many resources included here may be found for the reader’s convenience and further exploration.

I don’t look on this publication as the final authority on all matters of English language teaching, but as part of the ongoing professional support and discussion so vital to our dynamically evolving and collaborative field. This is why I encourage readers to continue the conversation with me and others using the links given throughout.

How can you get this book? Click on the Lulu link on my home page, or go directly here.

For those who don't yet "follow" me on Twitter @gregqbear, here are my tweets and re-tweets related to Education between 8th July and today. There are heaps of resources and ideas among them - please check out the links!

1. New Blog Post Reasons to Ditch the Pen - Today I sent a comment in response to an excellent article about reducing o... http://ht.ly/18RVxf 8:33 AM Sep 5th via HootSuite
2. 12 Reasons to Ditch the Pen - My comments at http://ht.ly/2zrnu I'm challenging myself to digitise my #elt resources. CAN YOU DO IT TOO? 2:26 PM Sep 4th via HootSuite
3. I like Dropbox. It's got moxie. http://db.tt/GmP0iJR 7:07 PM Sep 3rd via Dropbox 
4. New Blog Post Young Learner English Resources - I posted a Tweet today to share 31 websites suitable for young learn... http://ht.ly/18ObbW 9:12 AM Sep 1st via HootSuite
5. RT @SimpleCEO: 101 Free #edtech tools for ANY classroom, tech or not: http://ht.ly/2wLdA Registration reqd to download. 11:03 PM Aug 30th via HootSuite
6. RT @musictechie: Edutecher website and MUST have app. One of the best edu apps around. Adam rocks! http://www.edutecher.net/index.php 11:29 PM Aug 29th via HootSuite
7. kylepace Sweet Sites for elem, middle, and high school teachers and students...http://bit.ly/9vIRse from @findingdulcinea #edtech 6:17 AM Aug 29th via TweetDeck Retweeted by you and 5 others
8. Check out eflclassroom.ning.com by visiting http://feedjit.com/o/39LB/ and get a link to your blog or profile. 11:18 AM Aug 28th via Feedjit
9. The Differentiated Classroom.pdf http://ht.ly/2w2W7 An excellent e-book by Tomlinson with many pract. ideas for multi-level classes. #elt 10:57 AM Aug 28th via HootSuite
10. Free Technology for Teachers: Read Print - 8,000+ Free Books & Essays Online http://bit.ly/bjgPw9 9:57 PM Aug 27th via The Twt Times
11. ChrisCattaneoCheck this video out -- The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle http://t.co/wLCAs2A via @youtube 7:03 PM Aug 27th via Tweet Button Retweeted by you and 1 other
12. YouTube - simonscat's Channel http://ht.ly/2sNJs 8 Funny short videos - reminds me of some creatures I know. 9:00 PM Aug 21st via HootSuite
13. The Twitter Greg Quinlivan Daily http://bit.ly/a3YP29 for Monday 16th August out now! Get your copy here. 9:13 PM Aug 16th via TweetMeme
14. RT @TheConsultantsE: Gr8 list! Online Vocabulary Games http://bit.ly/brB9gS 9:47 PM Aug 14th via HootSuite
15. RT @web20classroom: What is a PLN? Why is it important? http://bit.ly/dfIu3W Good introductory video in 10-part series about PLNs. 8:58 PM Aug 13th via HootSuite
16. RT @tomwhitby: "Why students don't learn what we think we teach" http://is.gd/eeGzK Strongly focused on learning. Thoughts for teachers. 4:29 PM Aug 13th via HootSuite
17. Thanks2Teachers RT @sccenglish Study from Australia, worth reading: schools and social media: http://bit.ly/a0HK8t #edchat #edtech 6:07 PM Aug 12th via web Retweeted by you
18. 31 Ways to Help Young English Learners - GR8 Sites, many interactive activities. http://ht.ly/2nW4P #tesol #efl #esl #elt. 2:42 PM Aug 11th via HootSuite
19. Facebook or Twitter or Both? - Teacher Greg's Education & Dhamma Home http://ht.ly/2nSIn in reply to Jason Renshaw (English Raven) #edtech 10:50 AM Aug 11th via HootSuite
20. Some school funnies… » Alan Lawrence Sitomer http://ht.ly/2mA2q Scary, but real answers from 16yo's on exam. #edchat #tesol 9:18 PM Aug 8th via HootSuite
21. EasyBib: Free Bibliography Maker - MLA, APA, Chicago citation styles http://ht.ly/2mxNj Also, citation guide for MLA. #edtech #musictech 4:05 PM Aug 8th via HootSuite
22. RT @TweetSmarter: Terrific Collection of FREE Twitter Tools by category: http://j.mp/9Hx040 112 tools worth looking at. #edtech #edchat 9:33 PM Aug 7th via HootSuite
23. Links-ReformSymposium2010 - Google Docs http://ht.ly/2miuG Hundreds of links to sites, blogs, software, talks, vids - good for all teachers. 11:47 AM Aug 7th via HootSuite
24. RT @marynabadenhors: RT @MrsAngell Fantastic ESL Language videos http://icio.us/nvcuv0 More than 1,500 of them! 9:12 PM Aug 5th via HootSuite
25. Check out my fresh Twitter Tim.es newspaper http://twittertim.es/gregqbear 8:06 PM Aug 5th via web
26. Free Twitter for business ebook | Smarta http://ht.ly/2lfna Also has many general tips on using Twitter worth considering. 11:13 AM Aug 5th via HootSuite
27. Can Twitter help with education? | Parentella http://ht.ly/2lem0 For the unbelievers and the unconvinced, here's what other teachers say. 10:10 AM Aug 5th via HootSuite
28. RT @web20classroom: A Twitteraholic’s Guide to tweets, hashtags, & all things Twitter http://diigo.com/0c585 Worth keeping it for ref! 9:51 AM Aug 5th via HootSuite
29. Best Student / Teacher web 2.0 language learning / teaching sites http://ht.ly/2kOyR by David Deubelbeiss #edtech #tesol #elt #esl 8:12 PM Aug 4th via HootSuite
30. NOOKstudy Download Free, Digital Textbooks, eTextbook Application - Barnes & Noble http://ht.ly/2kE1d Now live! #edchat #tesol #elt #musiced 9:18 AM Aug 4th via HootSuite
31. RT @DoremiGirl: UPDATED! RT @web20classroom: A Huge, Sortable, and Updated Spreadsheet Of All TED Talks Available: http://bit.ly/cEBcjF 1:07 PM Aug 3rd via HootSuite
32. RT @englishraven: Validation http://bit.ly/9x4GLl Now with my comments, also available at http://ht.ly/2je1Z #tesol #elt #efl 11:00 PM Jul 31st via HootSuite
33. RT @marynabadenhors: Google in classroom resources under headings http://echucaelearning.wikispaces.com/Google+Docs Everything Googley! 10:19 PM Jul 31st via HootSuite
34. @englishraven Have you considered following it with a PELTA course? Could be a good money earner! #elt #tesol #efl 9:35 PM Jul 31st via HootSuite in reply to englishraven
35. RT @marynabadenhors:Strivney...Free site to learn reading with phonics http://ow.ly/2iKMh I've seen 2 recommends now for it. Check it out! 9:49 PM Jul 30th via HootSuite
36. RT @cybraryman1: Schools should have clear policies on use of SM & tech. developed with students/parents input. Gr8 observation! Very smart! 9:42 AM Jul 29th via HootSuite
37. RT @marynabadenhors: Looking Ahead at Social Learning: 10 Predictions http://bit.ly/cfk4NV About future of education. Where do you fit? 8:14 PM Jul 28th via HootSuite
38. RT @marynabadenhors: Get thinking into your lessons: a ten point plan http://bit.ly/9WZhw5 Thanks, Maryna. PDF file & any ideas. 8:32 AM Jul 28th via HootSuite
39. RT @web20classroom: Learn It in 5 - How-to Vids for Teachers http://is.gd/dK8eu Delicious, Twit,Ning, Kidblog, TeacherTube, VoiceThread, etc 9:38 PM Jul 27th via HootSuite
40. RT @kalinagoenglish: Super! More people need 2 understand Creative Commons - http://bit.ly/bXsMf4 Protect your original works by licences. 9:22 PM Jul 27th via HootSuite
41. RT @EnglishWiZiQ: RT @Twinky7109: Free Virtual Classroom for Online Teaching and Learning http://bit.ly/cQ03HL Worth checking out! 8:45 PM Jul 27th via HootSuite
42. Just changed on http://wefollow.com twitter directory to list under: #hsinchu #buddhism #travel #tech #education #music 7:40 PM Jul 27th via WeFollow
43. RT @ShellTerrell: 20 Websites No Teacher Should Start the Year Without http://j.mp/coiqOF #edtech #elearning via @oswego98 9:08 PM Jul 25th via HootSuite
44. RT @marynabadenhors: RT @rkiker 99 of the best Windows freeware programs you may not know of http://bit.ly/9WnBno 9:15 PM Jul 19th via HootSuite
45. English Raven: Easy? Says who? http://ht.ly/2a5f1 Difficulties with ELL's and reading, together with my comments. A fun read (if you can)! 6:19 PM Jul 12th via HootSuite
46. RT @paksorn: What Is The Purpose of Your School’s Curriculum? | edte.ch http://j.mp/bm65lP Now with my additional brief thoughts. 5:56 PM Jul 12th via HootSuite
47. RT @tomwhitby: A site for Mobile Learning Devices for Elem Level. http://bit.ly/cR4vfl Sharings and lesson ideas from many schools. 9:19 AM Jul 12th via HootSuite
48. @ NickKristof Why change to a silly scoring system just to boost points? It doesn't change anything. If you score more goals you win anyway. 9:11 AM Jul 12th via HootSuite
49. RT @ShellTerrell: RT @flourishingkids: My first Prezi! If You Give a Teacher Twitter http://bit.ly/c6y8nk PLEASE share re uses of Twitter. 10:13 PM Jul 11th via HootSuite
50. RT @eflclassroom: New post on EFL CLASSROOM 2.0 - using culturally appropriate music http://ning.it/b19eCi Now with my added comments! 9:53 PM Jul 11th via HootSuite
51. RT @DoremiGirl: Great post! REFORM vs. TRANSFORM by @tomwhitby http://ht.ly/29KmY #edchat Making tech. ubiquitous in teaching & learning. 8:44 PM Jul 11th via HootSuite
52. RT @web20classroom: Igniting Innovation in Education through Collaboration | Edutopia http://bit.ly/9241oz Helps appreciate value of twitter 8:36 PM Jul 9th via HootSuite
53. RT @DoremiGirl: Periodic Text Message (SMS) Table: A handy quick guide for those with DSL accents. http://ht.ly/2903w via @nero1279 7:59 PM Jul 9th via HootSuite

Today I sent a comment in response to an excellent article about reducing our use of pen and paper and making greater use of digital technologies.
Though there is clearly still a place in some forms of personal communication for the pen, this is increasingly less so in the work situation. So, I'm resolving to digitise (scan or type in) as much of my paper-based resources as possible over the next 12 months. This will not only reduce the clutter in my apartment, cut back on my excess baggage costs, but also make the materials more accessible to me and, in time, to you.
Here is my post today:
Greg said... Hi Lisa, following your article I've decided to digitise my current paper-based materials to reduce my home clutter.
I was wondering, for those of us who don't own a smartphone or have a laptop permanently stitched to our hips, what other tech. options would you recommend? If I could know of the available options I could go ahead and reduce my written notebooks.
Once again, thanks for this thoughtful post, which I've shared with my Twitter friends.
Greg.

September 4, 2010 12:11 AM It was posted at http://theinnovativeeducator.blogspot.com/2010/09/pen-is-no-longer-weapon-of-choice.html.