Tagul+Module+Page+SP12

Tagul is a web-based application that enables you to create what are called ‘tag clouds.’ Tag clouds are related words grouped together into meaningful shapes, like concrete poems. The words can be taken from any text – a poem, a letter, an historical document, even online newspapers and websites, and the size of the individual words as they appear in the tag cloud reflect their importance.
 * What is TAGUL?**

There are several other web based tag cloud generators, such as Wordl and Tagxedo. The aspect that makes Tagul unique is that the words included in the tag cloud are hyperlinked -- by default to Google and by direction (yours) to a dictionary or any other site you want! Once the cloud is designed and saved, you can embed its code into your webpage, wiki, blog or other site and/or email its URL to all your students.

-it’s free -each word is automatically hyperlinked to Google -words can be hyperlinked to dictionary.com -it has different fonts and shapes -you can exclude or add words to the cloud -you can change it as you go -can be used for any content that can be cut and pasted -TAGUL clouds can be imbedded or shared by URL and printed -TAGUL offers a forum moderated by the software creator for troubleshooting -You can create up to 20 clouds with your free account.
 * Benefits of TAGUL**

-NOT an ‘edu’ site; although teachers do use it, the classroom resources are still limited -Includes interaction w/public sites which contain unmoderated content (parent permission for student directed Tagul creation is a MUST!) -requires registration/log-in with email
 * Issues to Consider when Using TAGUL**

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 * HOW TO MAKE A WORD CLOUD USING Tagul**
 * 1) Go to [|Tagul.com]., click on ‘sign up’ and sign up!
 * 2) Once signed up, change your password by clicking on the profile tab and entering your changes. Before creating a word cloud, agree to their terms that includes only using appropriate content.
 * 3) Make a word cloud. . . Copy and paste a series of words or use the URL of a page where the words can be found.
 * 4) It’s a good idea to delete words that don’t carry content meaning, such as articles, conjunctions, etc.
 * 5) You can also manually assign weights to specific words you want to highlight – this is a bit advanced but a really cool feature
 * 6) Choose a shape such as a heart, cloud, or geometric patterns. Choose a font as well as other options, and then click "Build the Cloud."
 * 7) Preview your cloud before saving.
 * 8) After creating the word cloud, be sure to save the image (or use a screen capture) to share with others.
 * SCREENCAST for making a Tagul Using ECI 546 postings excerpts**

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**Additional Resources:**

__More How To Videos and Step-by-Step Written Instructions:__
====1. This is a brief beginner’s how-to video about Tagul.http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&NR=1&v=wB_achjsfSg====

__Instructional Ideas Using Tagul:__
====**Summary Reflection/Ticket out of Class from** - [|Tagul.icous Assessment]: Wouldn’t it be cool if a student could demonstrate his or her daily learning by reflecting on their day using Tagul? Ok, perhaps you may not think it is cool, or practical but you have to admit it is a new way for learners to reflect. While the actual daily Tagul could not be read, the main ideas would show up in their clouds and easily seen. The bigger the word, the more often it was mentioned on their daily reflection and posted on a blog or website. Wow! This could actually become part of a weekly routine, or better yet a nightly learning reflection. Here is another idea. At the end of a unit or learning sequence, a Tagul could be created of all the main ideas. Teachers would know immediately if students got it.====

** Excerpted from ** **In the Classroom** (From Teachers First Review) []
==== “This is a terrific visual tool to share on an interactive whiteboard or projector. Help students develop creative fluency by creating their own Taguls of words and ideas from scratch. Paste in a passage or URL for a political speech to visualize the politician's "message." Analyze advertising propaganda by visualizing the language used in TV or print ads. Create Taguls of historical texts of inauguration speeches as time capsules of the issues of the day. Use this site as a way to help students see and memorize text, especially visual learners. Use it also when writing poetry or reading passages of great literature to "see" themes and motifs of repeated words and images. Have students paste in their own writing to spot repeated (and monotonous) language when teaching lessons on word choice. Students will be surprised to see what words appear to be dominant. ESL and ELL students will eagerly use this site since word order will no longer be a problem for them. Have students work in groups to create word posters of vocabulary words with related meanings, such as different ways to say "walk" or "said" and decorate your classroom with these visual reminders of the richness of language. Collect thoughts about the class subject at the beginning of the year and then again at the end of the year to determine changes in thoughts about the subject matter.” ====

**Review for the BIG test:** Tagul is great for creating study guides for any topic or unit the students need to review
====** Classroom Icebreaker: ** Ask each student to write down 5-10 words describing a personal goal or have them write introductions of themselves. Combine the students’ words to create a Tagul word cloud at [], making sure to include repeated words. Have students select a shape for their word cloud. After the Tagul is completed, hold a class discussion concerning why some words are more prominent than others. ====

__Examples of Tagul Word Clouds:__

 * ====[|http://www.billselak.com/educ514/]This one is a GOOD illustration of how to link the word to other pertinent URLs====
 * ====[|http://www.billselak.com/educ448/]This one is a Tagul of all the math assignments for a group of young learners, also uses a variety of external links====

====[|Word cloud blog post] - This is a great resource for all sorts of technology -- but KNOW that the rolling 3-D cloud at the upper right requires special widgets placed within the wiki====