Tech Tuesday - DK Findout!






Today, I'd like to share a free online encyclopedia published by DK, Dorling Kindersley.  This website puts together the vivid photography DK is known for in print, and combines it with a user-friendly format that is ideal for information discovery, from pre-K to high school.

Where to find it?

Go the the DK Find Out! website:  http://www.dkfindout.com/us/ 
There are also websites for parents and teachers.

What will you find?

The home page always displays a topic of interest that can be explored.  Currently, for fall, the home site visually displays how leaves change color, then provides a link for further discovery.
From the home page, students can search for topics of interest using the query search box, or select one of the available topics, which include animals, space, and other high interest subjects.  The home page also provides quizzes, videos, articles, and other options for students to explore.  A search results bar is located at the bottom of every page, so that students can move back and forth between information.






Once registered, teachers can create a lesson plan using the DK website.  The lesson plans are visually layout in presentation slide format, and can be edited, and include personal notes.  A video to show how the lesson plans work is provided on the teacher home page:  http://www.dkfindout.com/us/teachers/.

What I like about DK Find Out!

I like that the website is free, easy to access, and easy to navigate.  As always, the DK photographs are bright and sharp, and the information provided is concise and current.  Many of the articles also provide audio name pronunciations, which is helpful for first discoveries.  The subject-based articles are ideal for supporting curriculum, and the the lesson plans created can be as basic or complex as needed.  I especially recommend this website for lower elementary grades, where students are learning to navigate search engines and require basic information for school work or projects. 

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