Playing with Words

 

     In the reading classroom, each student has his/her unique learning style.  If the teacher limits herself to one way of teaching, she can only reach a few of the students and loose the others.  In order to make sure, most students learn the lesson, she must use a variety of strategies with the same lesson.  When working with vocabulary or introducing a reading assignment, the teacher can create a collage of key words from the readings to discuss with the class as a preview and to build some background knowledge.  Then, as the student begins to read, he will find that some of the words will be familiar, and he will be more successful in the comprehension of the reading assignment.  There are several programs than can help forming these collages:  Wordle, Tagul, and Tagzedo.

Wordle

     Of the three programs, Wordle is the simplest of the programs.  You do not have to create an account.  You simply add your list of words and it creates a collage for you. The problem is that you have no choice in the shape it will take.  It has a random button, and when you push it, it arranges the words differently.  You cannot save the collage as an image. You also can change the color but  If you want to share it in a blog or website, you need to go through the process of embedding code.  Once you place your Wordle in your website or blog, it copies a small image.  It looks blurry and gets worse when you enlarge it.  I have place a direct link on the sample of the Wordle below, so that you can click on it and go directly to the word collage and see it clear and bigger.

http://www.wordle.net/show/wrdl/7721400/Information_Ethics

Tagul

     Tagul required you to create an account with them.  It did take a bit longer to learn the program, but it was still easy to work with.  With this program, you type in the words that you want to use in your collage.  You have the option to choose certain words so that they can stand out by being made bigger.  With Tagul, you are able to make your Tagul into shapes they have pre-set or you can upload a picture from your computer, and it will arrange the words to take the shape of the image you uploaded.  You are able to change the color scheme, and you are able to save your image in a couple of formats.

 

Tagxedo

     Tagxedo is another program that creates word collages.  It is a bit more difficult to understand, but once you get the hang of it, it is easier to use.  Tagxedo also allows you to choose a pre-set shape for your word collage or you can upload an image.  For either shape or image, you are able to edit color or background.  It is versatile in this aspect.You also able to select the font that you want.  You are able to save your work as an image, so you can simply upload that image.  What I did not like about Tagxedo was that I created a collage, I changed the color and font, I saved it, but when I uploaded it to this blog, it change color and background.  I was a bit disappointed with that because I wanted to look a certain way.  I did not see an option for choosing the words that would stand out, just like Tagul, but I still think the program choose the right words to make stand out.

 

     Of all three word collage programs, I would use Tagul more with my students.  I liked the way I was able to use one of my images, and the program was able to put all the words together with hardly and space.  Whatever I saw in Tagul and saved, I would be able to retrieve it exactly the same, unlike Tagxedo.  I would use this program to have the groups of students read a short passages and select words that were important to the story.  Once all the Taguls are completed, they can share with the class, and the class can create the gist of the story with the words that were selected.  I think when the students use word collages, they will be able to internalize vocabulary words a bit more.  Also, since they will be using this collection of words to share with the class, it will make them accountable for what they read, thus increasing the comprehension levels.

Creating Quotes

     Another way to play with words with students is to create quotes in quote makers.  These quotes can be used to present a quote to the students prior to reading a novel, so that they can predict what the story will be about.  They can create their own after they have read a reading passage and present to the class.  Two programs on the internet and IPad that can create quotes are Recite This and Quipio.

Recite This 

     Recite This is an easy program to use, but it is very limited.  You do not have to log in.  You simply type in your quote and choose the style or look that you want that have been pre-loaded.  There is not much room for creativity, but it can be easier to use with students since most will be able to understand it.  With Recite This, you are able to share your completed product with most social networks.  You are also given the option to download the picture, so you are able to use it in your blogs or creating pages. The two examples from Recite This below are very simple, but I still feel they get the job done.

Quipio

     In order to work with Quipio, I had to find it in the ITunes store under IPhone applications.  Once I downloaded it, it was also fairly easy to use.  It was just a matter of getting use to the app.  Quipio allowed me to create a quote using my own photos or simply using text.  If you choose the option to use a picture or a photo, you are guided to choose it first.  Then, it takes you to a page where you type what you want to express.  You are also given an option to choose words to highlight or make stand out in quote.  Recite This did not have either of these options.  In Quipio, you can also choose just to use text, but you have the ability to highlight words and chose styles and colors from a lot more variety.  Once you make a choice, you still have the ability to move the text around.  Quipio also allows you to share your quotes with the social media, such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Tumblr.  This is were Recite This was better when it came to sharing.  It had more options.  Once I shared my Quipio pictures with the social media, I was able to save it as a file, so I had more flexibility with where I placed the quote.

 

       Out of the two programs, I would most likely use Quipio more often.  I feel that the students will be able to be more creative since they will be able to have more options.  I still would use Recite This, especially if there are students who are unable to figure out how to work Quipio.  The students can create and design quotes based on reading passages or novels assigned to them.  They can discuss their quote to the class and explain why it was important to them of all things said in story.  I think it will hold them accountable to their reading assignment and comprehension levels.  I also think that the students would simply have more fun using Quipio and will be engaged in their assignment.

      When word collage makers and quote makers are added to the reading lessons, students will be more engaged since they will be held accountable for what they read and will be having fun at the same time.  They can also read their passages with more confidence since the teacher had already reviewed some of the words that are going to be used prior to the reading by using word collages or quotes.  I would most likely use Tagul for word collages and Quipio to create quotes.  These apps proved to allow the user to be more creative by giving them the ability to create a product that is more colorful and more appealing to the eye.