Mary Kimball, Liz Bunner, Erin Robinson

Digital resource integration plan of action

Digital resource: Wordcloud
Step 1: Perform a quick Web search for ways to use the digital resource
and identify two sites and evaluate them using appropriate website
evaluation criteria. List the two sites here:
Site #
1
2

Site URL
https://21centuryedtech.wordpress.com/2012/05/21/108ways-to-use-word-clouds-in-the-classroom-word-clouds-ineducation-series-part-2/
http://www.edudemic.com/5-ways-use-word-cloud-generatorsclassroom/

Step 2: Identify the most appropriate site and list five methods you
believe best fit the students you teach.
Idea #
Method
1
Have students create word clouds that generate
understanding of a concept, standards or vocabulary word.
2
Have students find mathematical papers written by famous
mathematicians and create a word cloud of some of their
writing. See what words have high occurrence and see what
they might mean.
3
Use a word cloud to create a discussion either in class or
posted on the web for a discussion forum. Try to create it so
that a question of inquiry can be used.
4
Copy and paste a reading from the web into a word cloud. You
may wish to turn off common words.
5
When classifying objectsmake a word cloud for each
classification. Remember you can make the classification
header bigger.

Write the outcome/objective for the digital resource? #1

Students gain a higher understanding of different concepts and/or
vocabulary words.
Which Indiana indicator will be supported?
Standard 4.RV.3.2 Determine the meanings of general academic and
content-specific words and phrases in a nonfiction text relevant to a
fourth grade topic or subject area.
How will you assess the objective/outcome of the students
efforts?
They will each create their own induvial word cloud that demonstrates
that they have learned the meaning and usage of a particular
vocabulary word. They will do this by:

Mary Kimball, Liz Bunner, Erin Robinson

-Finding synonyms
-Writing the definition in their own words
-Stating whether it is a noun, adjective/adverb, verb, or pronoun

How does the digital resource help students learn differently

versus a traditional method?
This is more hands-on way for students to learn their vocabulary
words, opposed to the traditional method of writing words over and
over again. Word-cloud encourage creative, and students will see that
no two word-clouds are the same.

List the potential considerations that are needed before using

the digital resource with students (do they need initial practice
using it, online safety, login or password issues, how will one
acquire or assess the product, etc.)?
Word-clouds are easy to create and modify. However, they will need a
login and a password, so it is necessary to review safe passwords. They
will go to a free website and create a free account. If they do not have
computer and/or internet access, have the students handwrite their
assignment at home, and type it in class.

List the general steps and time frame for the lesson sequence with
the inclusion of the digital resource (expand or delete rows as
necessary).
Time
Activity
(minutes)
15 minutes Engagegive directions, and create a short
presentation that reviews safe passwords. Then
students will make their own accounts on a word-cloud
website using their google-account.
15 minutes Students will work individually. Each student will be
assigned a vocabulary word, and they will research the
meaning, synonym, and usage of their word.
15 minutes They will type their research up in a word document.
15 minutes Students will create their own word clouds, using their
word document. They will be allowed to change color
schemes, formats, etc.
Day 2. 30
Each student will give a 1 minute presentation of their
minutes
word cloud. They will first email their work to the
teacher, and the teacher will post it on the class
website so students can refer back to it later. This will

Mary Kimball, Liz Bunner, Erin Robinson

be the assessment.

Exemplary (18-15)
Quality

Participa
tion

Adequate (14-12)

Work includes all

requirements, resource is
very much grade level
appropriate and supports
the indicator and content
of the lesson, and the
exercise is submitted on
time.
Exemplary (7)

Work includes almost all

requirements, resource is
marginally grade level
appropriate or barely
supports the indicator and
content of the lesson, or
the exercise is not
submitted on time.
Adequate (4)

You are present for all

work on the activity and
purposefully contribute to
the activity.

You are present for at

least one half of the work
on activity or fail to
purposely contribute to
the activity.

Inadequate
(11-0)
Fails to meet
requirements
.

Inadequate
(0)
You are
present for
less than one
half of the
activity.