One of the hurdles that teachers face when using the web can be the reading level of students vs. the reading level of the documents found. While online newspapers match the printed versions' 8th grade reading level, many web pages you and your students may be examining are written by experts for other experts. Online dictionaries can be a simple way to get around the vocabulary issue.

Dictionaries

• Hypertext Webster Gateway - This no nonsense, unappealing to the eye online dictionary is actually your best bet. Simply type the word in and hit return. It also allows you to link to a specific definition (this is explained below). Any part of the definition that has a definition itself is also linked so don't be confused by all the links!
  
  
• Merriam Webster - While this one has a prettier interface it does not allow you to bookmark a specific dictionary. It could serve as a good general resource. Plus it has a thesaurus.

Uses of Online Dictionaries

As described above vocabulary can hinder understanding of a subject by students. There are two ways to utilize online dictionaries to make the specific subject vocabulary not an obstacle.

1. The first way has links to specific definitions (click on specific to see an example - hit back to return to this page). This will allow you to use key vocabulary terms in your WebQuest that might be used in the resources that you have no control over. The Hypertext Webster Gateway is only dictionary that allows you to link to a specific definition.
   
   An excellent example of this in a WebQuest can be found at the Searching for China. Two words in the first paragraph (majestic and Occidental) are linked to the dictionary. Note that the author has indicated that there is a definition linked.
   
   
2. Once your main WebQuest page you can also link to either dictionary and have as a general resource for students. If this is your method, the Merriam Webster dictionary has a more attractive interface and includes a thesaurus.

Process for adding a definition link

1. When you get to a word that needs to be defined in your WebQuest, go to the Hypertext Webster Gateway in Netscape.
   
   
2. Type in the word and hit return.
   
   
3. Click once in the location (address) box and Select All (A) and copy (C).
   
   
   
   
4. Return to Claris Home Page, select the word to be linked.
   
   
5. Open the Link Editor and paste (P) the address.
   

   
   

6. As was done with the Searching for China project, you should have some way of indicating that the link is a definition. This will make it easier for your students to decide if they want to follow that particular link.