Help Page

You may find that you often need a skill that you lack in order to complete an assignment. The skill may be a minor one (knowing where to find appropriate dictionaries) or a major one (learning how to make a web site). Whenever the instructors can anticipate that you may need some just-in-time-learning for an assignment, you will find the little Help Critter with either a quick tip or a link to another site that offers a tutorial.

VTC (Virtual Training Company)
The University of Arizona makes available online tutorials for a wide range of technology skills, from word processing to web design to spreadsheets. Go to the Virtual Training Company and choose from a list of dozens of tutorials. (Be ready to enter your UA email login and password.)

RIO (Research Instruction Online)
The UA Library had developed a number of tutorials to help you use the Internet (both email and the Web). Choose from their menu of lessons.

Here is a list of some general sites that you will find helpful for just about any assignment. Many of them are available through the UA library, so you will either need to access them on campus or be ready to enter your UA ID number (the long number on your UA CatCard):

Dictionaries

MerriamWebster's Collegiate Dictionary (all purpose)
American Heritage Dictionary (all purpose)
Oxford English Dictionary (the history of words and their meaning)
Spanish/English Dictionary

Encyclopedias, Etc.

Britannica Online
Columbia Encyclopedia
Women's Studies Encyclopedia
Catholic Encyclopedia
Jewish Encyclopedia
Biographies (a menu of various resources)
Geographies and Countries (a menu of various resources)

Help with Writing Essays

How to make an argument (make your case)
How to cite sources
How to do library research

Useful Web Sites for Research on Particular Topics