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Research-IT

© Bridget Slayden

Research. A time-consuming and tedious endeavor. Or is it? In high school, research to me meant flipping through volumes of the Reader's Guide to Periodicals as well as browsing card catalogs for information (usually out-of-date information). Needless to say, more than half of the prospective sources were not available for my use either being snatched away by over-anxious peers or never blessing the library walls to begin with. And yes, even some were just too old to use. Those days of traditional research, however, are numbered. In fact, most school and public libraries have gone high tech, incorporating the information age into knowledgeville. In order to have even found this site, you must have jumped on the bandwagon of technological research. It appears to be here to stay.

Okay, so does the Internet and the World Wide Web make research as easy as 1-2-3? More than likely your answer is no. The trick to Internet research is to find a way to slosh through the mounds of information (some good, some not so good, and some down right junk) with minimal effort and time. Easy? Guess again.

For the next several weeks I will focus my energies on research, whether for a term paper on global warming or a teacher's lesson on Shakespeare. Learning to navigate on the web is essential to successful research; knowing valuable URLs will maximize your use of the Internet.

Today, I'm going to touch on a web site that I had thought disappeared from existence. Fortunately, I accidentally bumped into it once again.

RESEARCH - IT

http://itools.com/research-it/research-i... This wonderful source gives the English student/teacher needed information all in one place. From dictionaries to financial tools, this site is a research must.

DICTIONARIES Some of Research-It's features include several dictionaries from a simple English dictionary to a rhyming dictionary (perfect for poetry assignments-remember trying to write sonnets?) Other dictionaries include computing, pronunciation, and law. The availability of an online Thesaurus will cut down on word repetition and help boost vocabulary. Also, an online translator will help determine the meaning of "Et Tu, Brute?" as well as tell you how to say Merry Christmas in several different languages. Type in a word and get its equivalent. The Acronym dictionary will be perfect in those instances when students can't figure out what NRA and MADD stand for.

LIBRARY TOOLS

The biographical section will help you investigate the background of historical figures and find quotes (just perfect for an original oratory or term paper).