How to Use: Webster’s Online Dictionaryan

dVisuwords

Instructional Presentation By: Amanda Tram

Overview

• Webster’s Online Dictionary is the Internet version of Merriam-Webster, America’s leading and most trusted provider of language information. The online dictionary provides users with information about a term, beyond just the basic meaning.

Overview

• Visuwords is an online graphical dictionary that allows users to find the meanings of words in a nontraditional and visual way. A diagram of a word is created to allow users to learn how words associate with other words and concepts.

Goals

• The learner will be able to understand the benefits of using both Webster’s online dictionary and Visuwords in finding the meaning of new terms.

• The learner will be able to use and understand the unique features that Webster’s online dictionary and Visuwords have to offer.

• The learner will be able to understand the difference between using Webster’s online dictionary and Visuwords to learn the meaning of new terms.

Objectives

• At the end of this lesson, faculty and students of James Madison University, will be able to access the Webster’s online dictionary website, as well as the Visuwords website, with no assistance.

• At the end of this lesson, faculty and students of James Madison University, will be able to search for words in both the Webster’s online dictionary and Visuwords search bar, with no assistance.

• At the end of this lesson, faculty and students of James Madison University, will be able to understand the meaning of a new term, using Webster’s online dictionary, with no assistance.

• At the end of this lesson, faculty and students of James Madison University, will be able to understand the meaning of a new term, using Visuwords, with no assistance.

You May Already Know How To...

• Use search engines such as:– Google– Yahoo– Bing!

• Searching for terms on Webster’s online dictionary and Visuwords is very similar!

Let’s Get Started!

You are now aware of the goals and objectives, so let’s start by learning

how to use:

Webster’s Online Dictionary

Open Firefox Browser

Double click the Firefox icon on the desktop

Getting to Webster’s Online Dictionary

Type in the URL bar: http://www.webster.com

Searching for a Term

Type term into the Webster’s search bar(we will be looking up the term education)

Searching for a Term

Click the red magnifying glass icon

You Successfully Looked Up a Term!

CONGRATULATIONS!

Now we will learn about the different

features that Webster’s has to

offer.

Pronunciations

Click the blue microphone for an audio pronunciations

Multiple Definitions

Multiple definitions are provided for terms

Examples of the Term

Terms are used within sentences as examples

First Use and Origins

The first known use and the origins of terms are provided

Related Words

Synonyms and Antonyms are provided for terms

Rhyming Words

Rhyming words are provided for terms.

Congratulations!

You just learned:– How to search for terms on Webster’s online

dictionary.– About the various features Webster’s online

dictionary offers.

Let’s Get Started Again!

Now that you have learned how to use Webster's Online Dictionary, let’s move on and begin learning how to use:

Visuwords

Open Firefox Browser

Double click the Firefox icon on the desktop

Getting onto Visuwords

Type in the URL bar: http://visuwords.com

Searching for a Term

Type term into the Visuwords search bar(we will be looking up the term education)

Searching for a Term

Click on the white triangle icon

You Successfully Looked Up a Term!

CONGRATULATIONS!

Now we will learn about the different

features that Visuwords has to

offer.

Unique Graphical Definitions

Terms are associated with other terms and

concepts.Words and concepts

are connected by different lines, which represent different

relationships.

The Key to the Relationship Lines

These different lines and colors represent

the relational connections between

various words and concepts.

Example of How to Read Diagram

Homework “is a part of” education

Congratulations!

You just learned:– How to search for terms on Visuwords.– About the various features Visuwords offers.– How to read the visual diagrams of Visuwords,

to learn the meaning of new terms.

Webster’s vs. Visuwords

Webster’s online dictionary and Visuwords are two very different applications that achieve the same goal of learning the meaning of

new terms

Summary

Today we have discussed:– The desired goals and objectives to be

accomplished.– How to use Webster’s online dictionary and

Visuwords to find the meaning of new terms– The benefits of both Webster’s online

dictionary and Visuwords.– The differences between Webster’s online

dictionary and Visuwords.

Online Assessment

Now that you have learned how to use both:

Webster’s Online Dictionaryand

Visuwords

Let’s put your knowledge to the test!

Online Assessment

• Webster’s Online Dictionary• Find the origin of the word “LEARN” and e-

mail the information to tramaq@dukes.jmu,edu

• Visuword• Search for the word “LEARN” and e-mail

the definition that you extracted to tramaq@dukes.jmu.edu

Apply Your Knowledge!

• Now that you know how to use Webster’s online dictionary, you can apply and expand your knowledge by exploring Webster’s online thesaurus, Webster’s online Spanish-English dictionary, and Webster’s online medical dictionary.

• Now that you know how to use Visuwords, you can continue to apply your knowledge by adding Visuwords to your Firefox browser's search toolbar.