Here is a Web 2.0 based application I came across recently called Wordle. It’s a word cloud and the user can create a wordle from any text, website or the clipboard and change and configure the wordle to suit their own preferences. Check it out atwww.wordle.net It’s completely free and wordles can be shared on the site or the user can use the provided source code for their wordle and then embed it in their own site or blog. I think teachers will find many creative ways to use this application for literacy development. Wordle was developed by Jonathan Feinberg who works for IBM Research. One word of caution – the content is not censored so he advises it may be unsuitable for younger users. However it is a very useful application and I recommend you have a look for yourself. Here is one I created for the Teachnet Summer Courses!
