BP_9 Tagxedo

The Web 2.0 Tool I choose to take a closer look at is Tagxedo. I was first introduced to this tool by one of my critical friends.  He used this tool with 4th graders after studying famous Ohioans.  The word clouds they created were then displayed all over our school. I saw so many students looking at them and READING them!  I thought this would be a great tool to use and share with everyone.

We have all used word clouds before like Wordle, correct?  Well Tagxedo is the same concept but with a visual to go with it.  This is why I like it better.  If you are doing a report on squirrels you can upload a picture of a squirrel along with your report and then your word cloud is in the shape of a squirrel.  I created the word cloud above about squirrels because the students in my class have shown an interest in the furry curious creatures.

Tagxedo also provides shapes as well if you don't want to upload your own.  Word clouds are visually interesting but adding a specific shape makes it even more appealing, especially to young children.  The site provides step-by-step instructions along with 101 ways to use Tagxedo.  You can adjust color, theme, and font until you are happy with your finished product.  The thing I like best about this tool is that you can enter a url and the site generates a word cloud for you.  

I have found myself spending several hours using this tool.    Recently my first graders have started learning how to make lists.  I have been helping them use Tagxedo to turn their lists into word clouds. Their list have been about Fall so their clouds are in the shape of their favorite fall thing.  The word clouds are posted in our room and my students are really enjoying reading and comparing them.    They're really excited about this new tool.  I hope you will give it a try, as the possibilities are endless.