RESEARCH AND REFERENCE TOOLS- ELECTRONIC DICTIONARIES

As aspiring teachers, we must be up-to- date with respect to our method and strategies of teaching. Technology and more specfically research and reference tools can and will assist us with this. Research and Reference tools are technology software support tools used in teaching and learning. The different types of research and reference tools are electronic encyclopaedias, electronic atlases, electronic dictionaries and educational resources.



An electronic dictionary is either a small handheld computer with integrated reference materials, a program downloaded from the internet or purchased on a CD-ROM or DVD and it can be searched and consulted online. It can either be hand-held device or a software. A PDA and smartphone contains a dictionary feature and because it is fully portable the devices are battery-powered and made with durable casing material.



Some of the features of both hand held dictionaries and software dictionaries include stroke order animations, voice output, handwriting recognition, language learning programs,a calculator , PDA -like organizer functions, encyclopedias, and time zone and currency converters, and crossword puzzle solvers.



Usefulness Of Electronic Dictionaries

• In an electronic dictionary there are the extra space and colour which make the entry clearer and easier to read. Traditional dictionaries need to cram a lot of text into a small space.


• They allow more complex searches, you can retrace your steps and add notes.


• They can be integrated with other related works: exercise or a thesaurus or encyclopedia for example.

Using Electronic Dictionaries in the Classroom

Despite the ease of use that electronic dictionaries provide, they are still an under-used resource and very little teaching actually goes on where they are available. This is a pity, as linking an electronic dictionary to reading or other activities is easy to do and can be a powerful learning tool, as the example of Encarta in Figure 1 illustrates.

Figure 1: double clicking a word invokes the dictionary reference in Encarta

Electronic Dictionaries are very uselful and it is fun to use. If you haven't used an electronic dictionary then GO BUY ONE!!!!!!!!! If you are not working like me then you can visit these online dictionaries. I guarantee you, it is fun!

Online dictionaries

http://encarta.msn.com/encnet/features/dictionary/dictionaryhome.aspx

http://www.merriam-webster.com/

http://vintage-anchor.knopfdoubleday.com/

http://www.lightlink.com/bobp/wedt/site.htm

REFERENCES

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electronic_dictionary

www.electronics-manufacturers.com/...electronics/electronic-dictionary.html

www.flixya.com/.../The_benefits_of_using_electronic_dictionary

Working with an Electronic Dictionary
by Naomi Epstein http://www.etni.org.il/hearing/edictionary.htm