How does using Wordle and Polleverywhere address Standard 1 of NETS-T?

Polleverywhere is an online audience response system which allows people to answer poll questions using their computers or mobile device. In this course we used Polleverywhere to create questions to enable us to get to know our classmates. We each created a poll on Polleverywhere and were asked to respond to our classmate's polls. 


Woordle is a text analysis tool which allows the user to input a series of words and phrases that then can be transformed into a unique, and eye catching image of those words. In this course we used our responses from our classmate's answers in our Polleverywhere questions and inserted them into a wordle which allowed us to view the responses in a creative way. 


I think it would be interesting to use Polleverywhere in my secondary social studies classroom. I would like to use the question "What does it mean to be a Citizen?" at the beginning of a unit on citizenship. Then the students could use their phones or computers to brainstorm answers. The fact that the poll answers are anonymous makes this activity even better because it allows the students to answer without feeling that they might get teased for their answer. In a secondary classroom I think anonymity can be very important. 


Wordle and Polleverywhere definitely meet the ISTE's first standard. These tools allow students to be thoughtful and anylitical while encouraging creativity. They also allow students to reflect on their responses in a creative way. These tools also enable students to work collaboratively while using digital media. 


In my future classroom I believe these tools will be very useful. There are so many ways I can use Polleverywhere from anything to brainstorming activities to getting to know each other activities. Plus, what secondary student would love for their teacher to say "Okay everyone, get out your cell phones!" Wordle would allow me to help students reflect on their responses in a creative way. I believe both these tools are ones we all can use effectively in our classrooms as future teachers.