Wordle+for+classroom+use

= Exploring the Uses of Wordle: =

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Article: Technology Tools to Get Teachers Started, by Douglas Cruickshank

Technology is the means by which learning in schools is becoming more and more closely aligned to the real world. The possibilities are limitless for incorporating technology into the classroom, and for using technology professionally. The very breadth and depth of what’s available can be overwhelming, and Darren Draper recommends that educators begin by identifying one technology tool to explore and implement. Draper’s advice is to use the new technology in a lesson that the teacher already has—use it to enhance the educational value. Later, the educator can try another element of technology, and incorporate it. “Never use technology for technology’s sake,” he emphasizes.

RSS feeds and listservs are simple but practical methods for teachers to continue their professional development on an informal level. They can stay updated in education trends and in technology advancements, fine tune their professional knowledge, and perhaps most importantly, interact with other educators to create, problem solve, and expand learning. Teachers also can use social networking sites, such as Facebook, Twitter, and Classroom 2.0. Teacher review websites also offer links to the best educational sites for use in the classroom and for professional development. Wiki spaces are also quick-access tools for classroom and professional use, as well as for communication between students, teachers, and parents. Louise Maine’s advice for technology: “Just do it”!

Using Wordle in the classroom:

 * In Spanish I, students write diamond-shaped poems describing themselves and their best friends. Wordle would be an enjoyable alternate option to give to the students. They can use the ~ character to connect words, and therefore include items that they and their friends are "not". We could print and/or save these, perhaps even publish them to our class wiki.
 * We could use Wordle as a vocabulary review tool at any level: students can create a Wordle with their vocabulary lists, using only Spanish, or including both Spanish and English. The dual-language Wordles can even be used as a matching activity in the classroom.
 * As an end of the year activity, students could build Wordles of words, phrases, sentences, and topics that they've learned throughout the year. This would be a great review for the final, as well as a great reflection tool for students to see how much they've accomplished.
 * In the level IV and V Spanish classes, the students can create Wordles not only for their vocabulary assignments, but also as a way to reflect on reading material, like we are doing in the Gannon class. We read short and long texts, both fiction and non-fiction. They can write a summary and copy and paste the summary into Wordle. They could also work in small groups, compiling key words, themes, and characters, to put into Wordle.
 * Sometimes I ask my Spanish V students to "illustrate" a poem that they've read in Spanish, in order to ensure their understanding, not only of the translation, but also of the intended meaning. My students draw these depictions, but I could see modifying the assignment to give an alternative in which they build a Wordle with both Spanish and English phrases and interpretations of meaning.
 * At MASH, all teachers are required to read weekly with their students. I have collected a lot of reading passages of varying difficulty and topics. A Wordle would be an enjoyable option for a post-reading activity for my students, or for a pre-reading brainstorm (prior knowledge of topic in reading passage).
 * Our school spent a lot of time this last semester discussing character traits and what they look like when implemented at school and outside of school. Topics such as "Motivation," "Equality," and "Leadership" can be illustrated using Wordles as well. Perhaps a monthly Wordle contest could inspire students, with winners being published in the school newspaper, or printed on large poster-size paper for display in a prominent area.