The Web for Learners

The World Wide Web offers an astounding number of resources for learners. If you can think of a topic, chances are that there is a Web site out there with information about it. Try typing in keywords in a search engine like Google (http://www.google.com/) and note how many "hits" (that is, links to related Web sites) you get. As you will see, the problem usually isn't finding out if information on a topic is available on the Web, it's finding out which site has the best, most authoritative information on that topic. This challenge isn't so much like finding a needle in a haystack as it is like finding a particular needle in a mountain of needles. (If your or your child's search results are too broad or off-topic, you might want to consult the "How do you use search engines?" section of this Web site for tips on how to refine your Internet search techniques.)

While we couldn't possibly cover all the learning resources available on the Web, we can point you a handful of sites that will give you a good idea of what kinds of educational resources are out there. Click on the links below to learn more.

• Basic Reference Resources
  
• WebQuests
  
• Web Tutorials
  

Basic Reference Resources

Many reference resources that once were available only in expensive print editions (that you typically found only in libraries) are now available for free on the Internet. Some publishers have even stopped releasing print versions of their products entirely. As a result, librarians have had to become familiar with a wide array of online resources. If your child is working on a research project for school, don't hesitate to ask your local librarian for recommendations on Web sites that address your child's topic. Also, try visiting the Librarians' Index to the Internet (http://lii.org/); it is a particularly good resource, as it offers a searchable database of Web sites that have been found by professional librarians to be reliable sources of information.

Don't forget that many of your San Diego Public Library's electronic resources can be accessed from home. These resources, available from the Catalog & Databases' page at http://www.sandiegolibrary.org, include magazines, dictionaries, historic documents, photos, and much, much more. All that you need to obtain access to these resources is an Internet connection, a valid City of San Diego Public Library Card and a Personal Identification Number (usually the last four digits of your home phone number when the card was issued).

Web Sites for Reference Information

Library Spot- Ask an Expert
http://www.askanexpert.com
This site puts young researchers in contact with hundreds of experts in a wide variety of fields.

Bartleby.com
http://www.bartleby.com/
Here you can gain access to numerous major reference texts, including the Columbia Encyclopedia, the American Heritage Dictionary, Roget's Thesaurus, and Bartlett's Quotations.

Encarta Encyclopedia
http://encarta.msn.com/
This site from Microsoft offers access to an encyclopedia, a dictionary, and a "dynamic" atlas that allows users to zoom in on any part of the globe. Some content may require "premium" subscription, but some content is free.

The Guinness Book of World Records
http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/
A perennial favorite among kids, this site catalogs world records in just about every feat and phenomenon imaginable.

The Homework Spot
http://www.homeworkspot.com/
This site features links to links to numerous reference resources; it also offers tips and suggestions on improving study skills, test-taking skills, how to organize a report, and much more.

The Librarians' Index to the Internet: Ready Reference and Quick Facts
http://lii.org/search/file/reference
This part of the LII lets you search for reference Web sites by subject category.

RefDesk.com
http://www.refdesk.com/
RefDesk offers a huge number of links to high quality reference Web sites.

United States Census
http://www.census.gov
An invaluable resource for current economic and social statistics about the United States.

The World Almanac for Kids
http://www.worldalmanacforkids.com/
A fun, colorful site with information for kids.

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