Wordsift and wordle can be referred as ' word clouds'. It is a useful tool to help students to learn vocabulary in a very interesting way !
How it operates ?
1. Go to http://www.wordsift.com/ ( WORDSIFT ) or http://www.wordle.net/create ( WORDLE ).
2. Copy and paste the text on the website.
3. The tool will automatically identify the prominent vocabularies found in the text. #
4. Teacher can use the vocabularies in the lesson.
Which tool is better ?
There is no definite anwer for this question. It is based on teachers' and students' preferences. Both these tools have their own strengths which will be discussed below.
Advantages of wordsift :
- Provides an interesting pre-reading activity. For example, teachers may use the vocabularies for students to guess the gist of a reading text.
- The vocabulary can be organize. For example, teacher may organize the vocabulary from common to rare. In addition, teacher may also organize vocabulary alphabetically.
- Wordsift contain images which can help teacher to conduct his/her activity.#
- It is provided with thesaurus.
Advantages of Wordle:
- Teacher or students can create their own wordle based on their creativities.
- Teacher or students are given two choices ; copy and paste the text or copy the url of a website or blog. It is more convenient !
- Your wordle can be printed out.
- Your wordle can be saved.
- Suitable for pair work activity. For instance information gap activity in which students may predict each other's wordle.
- Interesting pre-reading activity. The colourful layout and themes may trigger students interest for the lesson.
So, as teachers we may choose either of these tools based on our students' needs.
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