Dictionary Site Exploration - By Anthony Morea

This is a webquest reviewing dictionary websites.  The questor will review several different websites to complete this webquest.  After completing my webquest the quester will have a better understanding of which dictionary website works best for them.

The questor will pick three words from their Wordly Wise textbook and use them to explore the dictionary websites.

1. Evaluate the websites using the three words from Wordly Wise textbook.

2. Capture the quester results based on the criteria in the evaluation section.

3. Present their results to the class on what dictionary website works best for them. 

Step 1: Open Google Web Browser

Step 2: Open the following sites in different Google tabs.

• http://dictionary.reference.com/
• http://www.yourdictionary.com/
• http://www.thefreedictionary.com/

Step 3: First Impressions.  For each Website use the Evaluation Section and grade the following questions:

• Does the website have a clean user interface?
• Does the website have a lot of advertisements on the front page?
• Is it easy to find where to search for a definition?
• Is the text easy to read on the webpage? (i.e. fonts and text size)

Step 4: Look up first word on each website. For each word answer the following questions: 

• Are the definitions the same on each website?
• Are their synonyms listed on each website for the word?
• Are their any interactive features on the webpage (sound, video, etc.)?
• Are example sentences listed on the page?  
• Do the example sentences make sense to you?

Step 5: Repeat Step 4 using the next word from Wordly Wise Textbook until all three words have been defined.

Step 6: Present the information to the class.  Highlight the pros and cons of each website and what website you would recommend.

Step 7: Capture all the results and turn them into your teacher. 

The Questor will be evaluated on a scale of 1-3 for different criteria for Step 3 in the process.

1 = Unsatisfactory2 = Satisfactory3 = Excellent 

This webquest should have shown you how different website dictionaries are. Each one has different pros and cons and features that may be useful to the quester in the future.