Sunday, May 1, 2011

Wordle on Steroids

Found this site that allows Wordle-like word clouds to be configured in shapes of your choosing.  Problem is it requires the download of a plug-in from Microsoft called Silverlight and the site called Tagxedo does not work with all operating systems and browsers.  It is also a bit mysterious (read not user friendly) in its operation.  The good news is that once you figure it out it does what it says it will do... word clouds in a variety of shapes.  It appears that one can even upload a picture or shape to become a word cloud (I did not attempt this feature).

Here's my attempt... it's the Gettysburg Address in the shape of Abe Lincoln.  What do you think?  Any ideas on how this might be used?  What success did you have with this tool?

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8 comments:

  1. UnknownMay 1, 2011 at 6:07 PM

    I would like to use this with my students when they complete a famous scienctist project at the beginning of the year. Just imagine, for example, an image of a shark for Eugenie Clark and words that describe her contributions to science. I am excited about this idea!

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  2. trishMay 1, 2011 at 6:20 PM

    Pretty darned cool! I knew someone would be able to do it! Do you think Wordle hate Tagxedo 'cos they have kind of blown them out of the water....

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  3. MrsAkoiMay 1, 2011 at 6:51 PM

    You know the saying, "you had me at 'hello'? Well, my saying for the day is, "you lost me at 'read: not user friendly'" It seems like an excellent took and I like Brittany's idea with the shark for example. However, if it would be a pain to figure it out, I may stick with the original Wordle. Sigh...so much for progression huh?

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  4. TerriMay 1, 2011 at 9:51 PM

    I am very impressed, and love the tie between the content(words)and the author of the words! My kindergarten students love doing Wordle, with just the 'randomize' key and its results. They would go crazy to see something with a tie-in like that!

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  5. SuseyRMay 1, 2011 at 10:37 PM

    Love it! Can't wait to mess around with it.... I think brainstorming activities when starting a new topic would be a prime time to do this... Save it and have it as a screen saver on my SmartBoard.
    I am presenting Web Tools 2.0 in our staff meeting tomorrow.... I will be sure to share this there as well.

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  6. Dan DamicoMay 3, 2011 at 10:31 PM

    I also think this is a very cool website to use. It really takes wordle to another level. I am not sure what I persnally would use it for in my situation but I am sure there always something. Maybe similar to the Getysburg address I could take a great motivational speech such as a Vince Lombardi speech and put it in the shape of his him for my players to look at.

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  7. Hilarie.CockrellMay 4, 2011 at 11:15 AM

    So cool!! My students could use this for many projects that we do: self-esteem, body systems, nutrition, substance abuse, etc! I am going to make one for my classroom and share this with my students :0)

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  8. Michelle LeasureMay 7, 2011 at 3:00 PM

    This is a very awesome tool! I think the image adds so much more symbolic meaning to the words. :-)

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