Researching  

Tools for Researching

The following list of websites are wonderful resources for teachers to use in the classroom. The majority of these websites are free and provide kid-friendly search bars. These sources are recommended to aid students with research both in and outside of the classroom. Teachers may also benefit from using some of suggested links to incorporate in their lessons.  The most important result of student interaction with any of these tools is that students are actively engaged in sifting through large quantities of data in order to find the specific information that they require. 

Google: An internet search engine but also a site with many web applications like specialized search engines (Google Scholar). Google is the ubiquitous search engine. It even has its own verb: googling. Very useful as a tool for accessing information easily; however, too often people use Google in place of other meaningful tools for research.

Wikipedia: Online encyclopedia that holds over 4.8 million articles. Wikipedia is a website that is used by many and its content is organized into many subpages. It is very user friendly and it can be easily accessed by many people no matter their language. Since Wikipedia is a wiki, anyone can write or edit a page on the site, which makes validity of the information open for debate.

Ducksters: Website designed for students to research history, geography, science, popular culture, etc.  It is a kid friendly research page designed for students K-8. When kids have an assignment the teacher can have the students utilize this site as it is a one stop shop situation that caters to kids from kindergarten through 8th grade.  The site does not require an account for the teacher or the student.  This is also an approved CMS website for student academics and research. 

Kid’s Click: A web search site designed for kids by librarians that provides kid friendly results. This site functions as an on-line library.  It is a search engine like Google but the results filtered to provide only kid-friendly information and language.  Teachers can use this site just like Google without fearing what may pop up on their students' screens. 

KidRex: A kid safe search engine powered by google. Students can safely search the internet for information about topics using Kidrex. They will only find information from kid safe websites. It is free to students and parents. This is a Cabarrus County approved search engine.

Khan Academy: An interactive website that has instructional videos, & interactive practice in several different subject areas. Subjects available:  math, science, economics, finance, arts & humanities, computer programming and computer science.  This website can be used by students independently to search for lessons and practice on a certain topic or teachers can direct them by becoming their "coach" and assigning lessons for them to explore.   

Wolfram Alpha: A computational knowledge engine. This site can calculate math problems and explain solutions.  It would be useful for students to look up solutions to problems to verify their answers or to help them understand the steps or logic behind the solution.   

Go Gooligans: Educational and Academic search engine for kids.  Simple, Safe, Kid Oriented, and Accessible keyboard for students with disabilities. This site allows for students to search and research topics in a safe, school appropriate setting.  Website is powered by Google.com, but not associated with Google Inc.  Site allows user to block specific words.

The World Factbook: An informational database that allows users to search for information by country or region. Information such as a specific country's history, government and transitional issues are a few of the options this database provides to its users. This site is an excellent resource to use when teaching history to students. There is a approved Kids Zone tab that breaks information into K-5th and 6th-12th grades. As well as a link for parents and teachers. Additional resources, such as games may also be found here.

Flip Snack:  a digital tool that allows users to transform PowerPoint presentations, student worksheets, and PDFs into an interactive flipbook!  Students will "flip" through the content as they advance the pages.  This is a great resource to use in elementary and secondary education courses.  As an added bonus, the flipbook's address can be embedded into other sources (such as Prezis or teacher website).

Voki:  a digital tool used to enhance classroom instruction.  Speaking avatars (of which you design) are used for you to "talk" to your students.  Students become engaged as they look and listen to the "teacher" present information to the class.  This resource is great in a regular classroom and ideal in a blended or flipped classroom.  in addition, this tool can also be used for student homework and projects.