Today I explored different programs to make WordClouds and I have found that WordArt is my favorite so far. It was very easy to use and figure out. I spend an hour just playing on it and seeing what each font was, how it would look in different shapes and colors. I liked that I could change each words font and color vs a program like Monkey Learn where I could pick a color theme and one overall font. The only thing I wish is that I could move words around on my own so if two gray words are put next to each other, I could move one of them to a different spot. I may be able to and just haven’t figured out how yet. In my WordCloud, I put things that make me happy, words I would use to describe myself, as well as negative words people have said about me.

While I like using WordArt for myself, ABCya Word Cloud is an amazing program for kids. It’s not complicated, having too many options were it may become stressful , but it still gives them ways to make it there own such as choosing a color palette or a layout. I did one with the prompt of outdoors.

One way I would use this program in a school library setting is when talking about synonym. There are many words and phrases you can use to describe or mean the same thing. If I said to find other words you could use to describe exciting to me, words such as trilling, electrifying, explosive, and so on. Students could then use WordCloud to put those words together in a visual way and present it to the class.

I can’t wait to learn from other classmates what ways they thought of to use this. As time goes on, I will also try using the other WordCloud programs. AnswerGarden is one I am very interested in playing with. It is very different then the other programs but for the right project, it could be the better program to use.