Using Word Clouds in the Classroom

One of the biggest challenges we face as educators is appealing to all types of learners within the classroom.  One great way to help all students, particularly visual learners, engage with reading is to use Word Clouds.  Word Clouds can help turn those boring reading assignments or learning key words into stimulating visuals to help increase student engagement.

Word Clouds turn words into pictures using different fonts, color schemes, and shapes.  Creating Word Clouds is fun and easy. Students can create them using a piece of paper and colored markers or you can easily integrate technology into your classrooms by utilizing one of the many Word Cloud apps available online.

Here are just a few ways to incorporate Word Clouds into your curriculum:

• Put your course outline into a Word Cloud and use it at the beginning of a course.
• Place key terms or vocabulary words into a Word Cloud.
• Have the entire class create a Word Cloud to review as an end-day activity.
• Students can create their own personal Word Clouds in reflection from a discussion, an idea, a reading, or video.