heartofdakota.com

Next year my oldest 2 will be using Preparing. Currently they don't use the internet at all. I am concerned with using Wikepedia for the research portion. So what do you use? Do you find Wikepedia a good, safe option? I just don't want to expose them to so much of the smut that's online. I've even had issues with the dictionary. For those of you that have Ipads is there a good app out there for the encyclopedia?

Does anyone use a special dictionary with their children? I just have a regular Webster's Dictionary from my college days. We've also used the apps on the Ipad for dictionary.

I did a couple different things when we did Preparing. One is that I would "preload" the Wikipedia search and save as a bookmark in a Preparing folder on the computer. That way I knew exactly what article she would be pulling up. I also used a good World Book encyclopedia set and let her look things up that way if I felt the Wikipedia article had more information then she needed or could wade through. As for dictionaries, I have a Webster's student dictionary that has been great.

You may want to check your local library's website. I did and was pleasantly surprised to find out that they subscribe to three different online encylcopedias. The requirements for my library are that you have to have an active library account and you must sign in each time you want to access any services.

Our dc are not left alone on the Internet ever, but we did use Wikipedia together. We type in the key words HOD provides in the plans, as these were prechecked. Of course, I stay right by my dc's side during their research online, as I fully realize it is my responsibility to make sure they are careful to stay on this page, as well as check to be sure I'm personally alright with what they are reading. We have looked at this as a time to learn important online research skills, such as skimming, using the online Table of Contents, reading captions under paintings, clicking on paintings to enlarge them for history projects, reading for specific answers, being careful how we use the Internet, having someone directly in the room with you when you do, etc. For our family, this has been a good learning experience, and our dc have now learned to use the Internet as a research tool for school successfully. They also have used their Bibles, concordances, an older Webster dictionary, and even their living history books they are reading for HOD as research resources. Meshing these resources' information with what they have researched on the Internet has been a great skill to learn. You can certainly use another resource, but I wanted to share our positive experience with online research as a possible method.

In Christ
Julie

I knew you ladies would have great advice! Thanks so much! I think we will just plan to spend the research time learning how to use resources on the internet appropriately.

Julie, what Webster Dictionary do you have? I have been drooling over the 1828 Webster Dictionary. But, the price keeps holding me back. I was thinking of getting a student dictionary. Hopefully that would be better. Also it would lay flat. I have a cheap thick paperback with tiny print.

I recently discovered that Websters 1828 dictionary is online, FREE!!!
Www.1828-dictionary.com