Jo's Wordcloud (EPSY 320 teaching strategy presentation)

Word Cloud:

Word Cloud Using Vocabulary List in a Meaningful Way Syafiqah Amir Johan – 300150909

Slide 2:

Connect the words in each word cloud to make a sentence. You may use other forms of a word (e.g. approve  approves, approved, approving, approval, etc.). approve committee decrease gradual price

Word Cloud:

Word Cloud Is made up of a few (related) words taken from a vocabulary list. E.g. the Ministry’s Curriculum Specification. Teachers can match the difficulty and suitability of the clouds to learners’ level and the next activity in the lesson plan: More words to increase difficulty. Word types: Very related to loosely related depends on if the teacher is focusing on idea or if the teacher wants to challenge/stimulate learners’ creativity.

Purpose:

Purpose To help learners improve their vocabulary. This activity is more meaningful than simply memorising the words and encourages deeper thinking since learners have to understand each word and how they relate to each other. Avoids interference and the burden of learning a large number of vocabulary simulatenously. Fluency as the main focus: Learners should be able to connect the vocabulary items in a coherent way. However, the teacher can snatch opportunities to focus on accuracy (i.e. grammar) when appropriate.

Building on Prior Knowledge:

Building on Prior Knowledge Recycling: Using words already encountered in previous lessons to help retention. Pairing used words with new words to help learners see the different nuances of a word and the contexts in which it can be used. Anticipating a lesson: Teacher can manipulate word clouds to prepare learners for the coming lesson.

Slide 6:

Connect the words in each word cloud to make a sentence. You may use other forms of a word (e.g. approve  approves, approved, approving, approval, etc.). encourage committee sales decrease pirate extraordinary pollute

Promoting Learning through Interaction:

Promoting Learning through Interaction Learners discuss with each other if they are unsure of a word’s meaning or how to use it. Peer feedback: Learners’ check each others’ sentences. Teacher offers assistance only if learners cannot agree with each other. Its fluency-focussed nature helps learners become comfortable with taking chances.

Implementation in a Malaysian Classroom:

Implementation in a Malaysian Classroom Vocabulary learning has traditionally been rather neglected in a Malaysian classroom. By using word clouds that are based on the Ministry’s vocabulary list, a majority of which belong in the 2000 high-frequency word list, teachers can ensure high value for learning. Furthermore, it does not take too much time planning- and execution-wise, and can seamlessly blend into other parts of a lesson, e.g. pre-task of a reading activity or composition class. It could also be used as a filler activity – when you find that you have that extra 5 minutes to spare.