Learning new concepts in IT can be similar to learning a foreign language. New terms must be introduced into student's vocabulary so that they can both understand and converse fluently about these concepts.
The following list consists of online dictionaries and other reference sites where students can go to get information that is specifically related to IT fields. These sites have been recommended by ExplorNet IT Instructors to contain accurate IT definitions and information.
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Answers.com
Online dictionary, encyclopedia and much more. Some people consider this site to be an alternative to Wikipedia.
Students can also get a list of definitions by including the special operator "define:" in a Google search with no space between it and the term you want defined. Teachers should be aware that this kind of search may turn up irrelevant or incorrect definitions.
Other Helpful Sites
Careers
Futures for Kids
The non-profit Futures for Kids pairs students with mentors in their career field for online discussions and career planning advice. After registering and taking a quick assessment, students get a list of job fields related to their goals, then get access to information about those career fields. They can also participate in monitored online discussion boards with adult mentors. This is a FREE site, but the mentoring service is only available in some parts of North Carolina.
Certification
CompTIA
The official site of the leading industry-standard certification organization. Find details of A+ and Network+ certification programs at this site.
CompTIA's E2C Program Join for discounts on A+ and Net+ test vouchers, other benefits to teachers and students.