Tagxedo is a “word cloud” creator, which can serve as a
great way to create artistic brainstorms.
To use it is quite simple as first you insert text
into the input section. This can be done either by inserting a link to a blog,
a twitter account, a website, an RSS feed, etc. Following this themes and
shapes are selected Then after clicking the submit button, a word cloud in a
given shape will be automatically generated.
Positive points about this include the fact that this
can be used fairly easy in English as key concepts from texts can be drawn out
fairly quickly. This is because important key words are made more prominent
whilst other points will be made visible in the background. It appeals greatly
to visual learners as the words in bold are they key concepts, and shapes
further add to the aesthetics of the work itself.
This can also be applied to group learners as input
could be in the form of essays they all did in where a word cloud deriving from
their combined works can be created. Here key points between all those who
provided input can then become highlighted, thus making it easier for students to remember.
This tool can especially come in handy either at the
start of a unit when brainstorming occurs or at the end of a unit just before a
summative assessment when we need to bring it all back to basics. Furthermore, if
proper studying has occurred, come assessment time, then it is very well
feasible that the memorization of the key words should lead to the triggering
of remembering other concepts key to answering a question.
No comments:
Post a Comment