Homework 7: Tag Cloud vs. Wordle

Assigned: Nov 17, 2011
Due: Dec 1, 2011 in class

Description

This assignment will give you a chance to play with tag clouds and wordles.

Choose two different texts and create a tag cloud (http://tagcrowd.com/) and wordle (http://www.wordle.net/create) for each.

Answer the following questions:

1. Which do you prefer, tag cloud or wordle? Why?
2. What positives and negatives do you see for the tag cloud?
3. What positives and negatives do you see for the wordle?
4. Are there any questions that you can ask/answer with the tag cloud that you cannot with the wordle?
5. Are there any questions that you can ask/answer with the wordle that you cannot with the tag cloud?
6. In what situations would you find a tag cloud useful or appropriate?
7. In what situations would you find a wordle useful or appropriate?
8. What interactive features would you suggest adding to either the tag cloud or wordle? What questions would they help explore?

Submission

Submit a hard-copy with screenshots of the tag clouds and wordles you created, the original texts used, and the answers to the questions listed above.

Grading

I will evaluate the thoughtfulness of your answers.