Research Tools
This page is dedicated to innovative tools for finding, collecting and sharing information during the research process.
Visuwords - graphic dictionary
The latest in online dictionaries, this one creates a graphically organized dictionary entry. Enter a word, click the search arrow and your word is the center of a graphic attached to related words. Roll your cursor over the graphic and get definitions.
A FEW IDEAS:
- Display classwide for new vocabulary
- Use as a model for students to create their own definitions
Advanced Survey – create surveys
So easy, so free! Create an account, enter your questions and responses … bingo! Invite participants via email or your website to take your survey (this site even constructs the invitation!) Then log back in to Advanced Survey and your results are calculated.
A FEW IDEAS:
- Get input from your students on reading habits, homework skills, class satisfaction
- Get input from your staff about new programs, potential ideas, future endeavors
To try out a sample survey. Once you are on the Advanced Surey site, go to the ”Take a Survey” box and type in survey number 61126.
Mind42 – mapping, webbing, planning
It’s not forty-two … it’s four two, well actually, for two … as in “tea FOR TWO.” Clever, huh? 
Mind42 is a mapping tool that is super easy to use. The best part of this application is that you can map alone and share with others … or, you can map together in real time to enhance the collaboration process. For a Quicktime or Flash video to see Mind42 in action, click here.
A FEW IDEAS:
- Flowcharts
- Idea generation
- Note taking
Easy Bib – citation generator
One of many MLA or APA citation generators … students enter the citation information and this application does all of the punctuation, underlining, indenting, etc. The citation can then be copied into the research paper document citation or bibliography page.
BibMe – citation generator
Another citation generator (see description for #4) except this one has a database of books, magazines, newspapers and journals. Search for your source and if it’s located you can create the citaiton with one click using the Autofill Mode. If your source is not in the database, no worries, enter the information from the source (using Manual Fill Mode). By creating a free account, your bibliography is saved and you can download the entries into a MSWord document. BibMe even includes an MLA and APA citation guide!
Son of Citation Machine – citation generator
Yet another citation generator. This one is most similar to Easy Bib. I find my students using this one more than the others.
Boolify - visual boolean searches
This search engine creates a jigsaw puzzle of your searches. Search terms go in green puzzle pieces, boolean terms (and, or, not) go in differed colored pieces. Each time you add a search term or a qualifier, a piece to your puzzle is added. This is a GREAT visual for young researchers to learn the importance of narrowing searches.
Webquests – structured online research
A webquest is a structured research activity that requires students to read, analyze and synthesize information from a variety of sources (mostly web-based) to build knowledge and understanding of a topic. Webquests are for students of all ages and abilities and could be used for any subject matter. Students work cooperatively and independently to complete the quest and to produce a project or product to demonstrate their learning. Tasks, roles, resources, project guidelines, etc. are all organized in one website for students to use. The focus is on properly utilizing and applying information rather than looking for it. Here’s an example over elements from Mrs. J, one of our science teachers.
Creating a Webquest PowerPoint
Free Webquest Builders:
Some of the free services require you to give other teachers access to your webquest to use.
Zotero – organize your research
works with Firefox platform. Allows you to save PDFs, webpages, etc. Organizes information like a play list. Citation functions make it a one stop research tool.
Lumifi - organize your research
organizes research into usable topics and most relevant hits. Content analyzer reads through sites, articles, books and even Word documents to find the stuff you need. Synapse technology aggregates and analyzes to find connections and relationships between words. Searchable notebooks that you create along with citable sources that are easy to return to make it a usable tool. Collaboration tools allow you to share content and get feedback from group members. You can even begin creating your paper, presentation, etc.
Omeka – publish your research
research tool for publishing collections of information. Linux operating system required
