The Web provides an exciting array of tools for developing students' language and literacy skills. Technology enables us to use multiple formats to engage students' interests and to customize their learning according to individual learning styles. Students live in a world where they encounter and interact with multiple "texts" at home, at school and in their communities. These "texts" include books, movies, podcasts, music, video games, social networking sites and applications on a variety of computers, iPods, Smartphones, and other hand held computer devices. Students also need to be able to read, evaluate, manipulate, and create visual "information" in a variety of formats in order to develop multiliteracy skills. Here are some examples of visual writing tools that are sure to get students excited about communicating their thoughts and ideas.
Word Clouds
ABCYa for grades 2-5. This is a simple, easy word cloud generator and a great place to start.
Wordle is a step up from ABCYa and offers more functionality. Students can make visual art from their poems, essays, research projects and other literary creations.
Tagxedo: This is a more elaborate word cloud generator and you can create word clouds in different shapes. The Tagxedo blog has a great presentation illustrating 101 Ways to Use Tagxedo.
MakeBeliefComix is a free online comic maker for all ages that is easy to use.
Pixton for Schools
Chogger for older students
GoAnimate. Create animated videos
ToonDoo. Create comic story books
Padlet: A very simple interactive noticeboard that is great for all ages. For example, you can embed videos, images, and music into the wall and invite students to post sticky notes onto the wall with their comments or responses. Click here to read students' sticky notes they posted in response to a video of a Chinese fable they viewed during library time.
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| A word cloud of Sarah's Blog generated by Wordle |
Word Clouds
ABCYa for grades 2-5. This is a simple, easy word cloud generator and a great place to start.
Tagxedo: This is a more elaborate word cloud generator and you can create word clouds in different shapes. The Tagxedo blog has a great presentation illustrating 101 Ways to Use Tagxedo.
Comics and Animation
Comic Life A comic book creation program. You can create comic book pages using digital photographs that you have in your collection. Pixton for Schools
Chogger for older students
GoAnimate. Create animated videos
ToonDoo. Create comic story books
Online Notice Board Makers
Stixy: You can create a Stixyboard where you can post notes, photos, documents and to do lists for your personal use or invite friends, students or colleagues to work on a collaborative project.Padlet: A very simple interactive noticeboard that is great for all ages. For example, you can embed videos, images, and music into the wall and invite students to post sticky notes onto the wall with their comments or responses. Click here to read students' sticky notes they posted in response to a video of a Chinese fable they viewed during library time.
