Creating a Wordle

What is a Wordle

A "Wordle" is a series of words that are put together in a visually enhancing way often referred to as a "word cloud" (www.wordle.net).

This is an example of a "Wordle" that I have created using words associated with ICT. 

To create your own "Wordle" go to this link www.wordle.net 

Further, watch the above You Tube video (above) which provides valuable information on how to create a "Wordle".

How Can A Wordle Be Used In Teaching?

There are many ways that "Wordle" can be used in the classroom including:-

• Making a descriptive poster or display on the topic being taught to gain the attention of the audience; 


• To outline key words that will be considered within the topic (as is displayed in the above "Wordle" ie. it contains key words in relation to ICT).

SWOT Analysis - Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats

The strengths of using a "Wordle" include:

• It assists in "Cognitivism Theories of Learning" and in particular supports the "working memory" (ICT for Learning Course Material);
• It assists "Visual Learners" as it provides visually appealing aids.  Visual learners tend to remember best what they see.  (Learning Styles and Strategies - Felder and Solomon)
• It following the guide of the Australian Curriculum in "working and learning with ICT to facilitate quality learning experiences" (
• It assists with the Blooms (Revised) Taxonomy categories of "Remembering", "Understanding" and "Analysing" which will assist in higher levels of thinking.  (Blooms Revised Taxonomy - www.nwlink.com/~donclark/hrd/bloom.html);
• It supports TPACK - Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (
• It is fun and exciting and should engage the learner.
• It enhances creativity.

The weaknesses of using a Wordle include:

• It may be confusing for students who are not used to these types of displays;
• It may not support collaboration;
• It may not support active and verbal learners;
• It may not assist with the Blooms (Revised) Taxonomy categories of "Applying", "Evaluating" and "Creating".

The opportunities that may overcome the weaknesses of using a Wordle include:

• An explanation of how a Wordle is displayed may assist confused students and by showing them more frequently students will familiarise themselves with a Wordle.
• Activities should be included to enhance collaboration which may be as simple as discussing the words in the Wordle in a class discussion or alternatively, arranging for groups to create a Wordle together.
• To assist active learners it could be arranged that the class create their own moodle or given directions so that they can discover Wordle at home.
• To assist verbal learners it may be as simple as having a discussion on the words contained int he Wordle.
• Again, to assist in the Blooms (Revised) Taxonomy categories it may be appropriate for the students to create a Wordle and then have a discussion reflecting on their creations.

The threats of using a Wordle include:

• The risk of computer viruses and care should be taken in this regard;
• The risk of inappropriate language being used in the Wordle.  Set rules should be made in this regard.
• The risk of using copyright words etc.  A discussion should be had with the class in this regard and a suggestion made that only generalised words be used.
• Displaying the Wordle to the public is a risk if the Wordle is not used appropriately.  In this regard, instead of displaying hte Wordle to the public it could be saved as detailed in the above video.

Personal Reflection

I found creating a Wordle to be simple and effective.  I would not hesitate in using a Wordle in the classroom to support learning.  It takes very little time to create a Wordle but the effects can be fantastic.   A Wordle would be a great decoration technique in the classroom.

References

• Learning Styles and Strategies - Richard M Felder and Barbara A Solomon - Link to LEarning Styles and Strategies - Felder and Solomon
• ELearning Pedagogy by Kelly Lein - Link to ELearning Pedagogy by Kelly Lein
• Smart Classrooms - Education Queensland - link to Education Queensland Smart Classrooms
• www.wordle.net
• www.youtube.com
• Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge:  A Framework for Teacher Knowledge - P. Mishra and M Koehler (2006)
• Blooms Taxonomy of Learning Domains (online resource)- Link to Blooms Taxonomy of Learning
• ICT for Learning Coursework Material.