Online Universities Weblog

Google and Wikipedia are great starting-off points for researching your next assignment or finding supplemental material to study guides, but in college, your sources need to be a little more sophisticated. Wouldn’t it be great if you could use a search engine to look up homework problems, conduct quantitative research and cite it as a primary source without having to head to other sites? The WolframAlpha is a revolutionary Internet search tool that can do all three. Here are 25 cutting-edge WolframAlpha tips for serious students.

General

Get tips on searching, citing, saving and more.

1. Check for discrepancies with your textbook: You can your WolframAlpha to double check your textbook (and vice versa), but be ready for discrepancies. Check the "Alternate forms" tab on the WolframAlpha to see if your textbook just follows a different format or process to get to the answer.
2. Do a quantitative search: Type in searches that focus on quantitative, numbers-based solutions rather than conceptual searches for the most detailed answers.
3. Remember to cite it as a source: The WolframAlpha team asks that you please cite them as a primary source if you use it to find research for homework assignments.
4. Use it for comparisons: When you need comparative charts for your research, use WolframAlpha rather than Google, because comparative results are its specialty.
5. Look for the WolframAlpha Wiki: WolframAlpha just announced that their developing a wiki for lesson plans, tips and outlines of information currently in the WA database.
6. Be specific but don’t overdo it: Keep queries basic and concise, but avoid phrases that are too vague.

Homework Help

Use the WolframAlpha to generate statistics reports, solve cryptograms and more.

7. Solve word puzzles: Find anagrams, crossword puzzle answers, word subsets and cryptograms for a shortcut or to make up your own challenges.
8. Word Reference: Instead of using the dictionary or thesaurus, use WolframAlpha to look up a word’s etymology, detailed definition, synonyms and more from just one search.
9. Compare books and periodicals: Find out which is a better source to use by comparing two periodicals or books.
10. Research demographics: WA’s socioeconomic data section lets you easily research and compare demographics of cities and countries.
11. Go beyond the formula: In math or science class, your professors might be content if you just memorize formulas. But with WolframAlpha, you can actually "explore" conversions and formulas by typing in a search or comparing them to others, according to Gizmodo.
12. Use it to do your homework: When you’re really stuck, use WolframAlpha to solve math problems and find all kinds of science formulas or solutions for you. Just remember to use it as a study guide instead of copying the answers only.
13. Generate statistics: You can get help with your statistics or business homework by typing in a data set to WolframAlpha, which can then generate a basic descriptive stats set for you.

Cool Stuff

Here you’ll find cutting-edge hacks for the WolframAlpha, including using it on your iPhone, calculating word count for your next paper, and other neat tips.

14. Manipulate: Manipulate is one of the WolframAlpha’s most talked about features. With Manipulate, you can now write a little piece of code for anything you want to look up, or to customize controllers used for Mathematica. For Mathematica, Nilay Gandhi writes, "with a few quick additions to your code, you can control the sliders and locators with a gamepad or (even more interesting) with the sudden-motion sensor that comes built in with most laptops."
15. Use it on your iPhone: For maximum convenience, add a WolframAlpha icon to your iPhone’s Safari web browser.
16. Calculate data transfer time: Before transferring files on your computer or network, head to WolframAlpha and type in what you’re transferring. You’ll get the estimated time without having to wait around, completely clueless.
17. Calculate word count: Before you start your next paper, let WolframAlpha compute how many pages you need to write to meet the word count requirement.
18. Firefox spell checker: Firefox users can spell check their searches by right-clicking the WolframAlpha query box and selecting Check Spelling.
19. Check Source Information: To expand your results, scroll to the bottom of the WolframAlpha page that displays your result and click on the Source Information Link. This will connect you to the information that WolframAlpha used to answer your query.
20. Don’t underestimate the date search: If you type in a date, the WolframAlpha will pull up all kinds of statistics, birthdays, anniversaries, observances and more to help you draw comparisons and make connections for your research project or paper. Searching dates is a great starting off point.
21. Get the dirt on any college or university: Type in the name of a university like NYU, and WA brings up basic stats, degrees awarded, demographics, tuition and more.
22. Save results: You can easily save your results by clicking the PDF link at the bottom of the page to create a saved file.
23. Analyze test scores: Find out what your SAT score really means by typing in the number and then looking at percentile, total students tested, a chart of your score and other stats.
24. Compare universities: WA can also compare universities by displaying stats in a side-by-side table.
25. Count down days: Type in a day in the future, like "next Thursday" and you can count down the days and weekdays until your test, vacation or meeting.

Top Online Colleges

	Kaplan University - Associate's, Bachelor's, & Master's Degrees. Kaplan University is a dynamic institution that offers accredited, online degrees to students seeking to jump start a new career. Kaplan University makes it easy for students to get the college degree that they want.
	University of Phoenix - Associate's, Bachelor's, Master's, & Doctoral Degrees. University of Phoenix shows each student how easy and convenient it is to earn your college degree through their distance learning program. Students can choose to learn at home or from a campus location near you.
	Ashford University - Associate's, Bachelor's, & Master's Degrees. Ashford University has a rich tradition of online educational excellence. This excellence is shown in the quality of each class that every student receives.
	American InterContinental University Online - Associate's, Bachelor's, & Master's Degrees. At American InterContinental University, every individual has an opporunity to receive an excellent college degree and the ability to maximize their human potential. American InterContinental University allows you to pick a time and place that fits your schedule.
	Liberty University - Associate's, Bachelor's, & Master's Degrees. At Liberty University, students educational goals and needs are met by an outstanding faculty and support staff. Any adult learner looking to go back to school will be pleased with the course offerings available at Liberty University.
	Everest University - Associate's, Bachelor's, & Master's Degrees. Everest University is committed to the on-going commitment of providing each student with a high-quality, low-cost online education. Everest University has a well rounded faculty with real world experience.
	Saint Leo University - Associate's, Bachelor's & Master's Degrees. Reaching students all over the world, Saint Leo University has a truly diverse student body, including first time undergrads and working professionals. The university is dedicated in providing their students with the skills, tools, and knowledge needed to succeed in their desired professional careers.
	Westwood College - Associate's & Bachelor's Degrees. Westwood College offers a wide array of programs ranging from Business Administration to Web Design. Students are sure to find the quality education and skills needed in order to succeed and achieve meaningful careers by attending Westwood.
	Colorado Technical University - Associate's, Bachelor's, Master's & Doctoral Degrees. As a well-known, accredited online university, Colorado Technical University is committed to developing great leaders. They teach students the latest techniques, methods, skills and experience needed to succeed in the fast-paced economy.
	Grand Canyon University - Bachelor's, & Master's Degrees. Offering graduate and undergraduate degrees, Grand Canyon University is ideal for any individual, first-time students or working professionals, to pursue a degree toward their career of interest. Their excellence in online education has brought many students to attend the university.
	Virginia College - Associate's, Bachelor's, & Master's Degrees. Virginia College offers a myriad of online programs for students seeking degrees anywhere from business administration to criminal justice. Their career-focused curriculum provides students with an edge upon graduation.
	DeVry University - Associate's, Bachelor's, & Master's Degrees. Students who attend DeVry University are welcomed with an outstanding faculty who put each students needs and dreams first. DeVry University is an accredited university that offers affordable degrees.
	Strayer University - Associate's & Bachelor's Degrees. Strayer University uses a student-centric approach to its educational curriculum and each student benefits from this ideal. Strayer University is an accredited university with degrees in high-growth industries.
	Penn Foster Career School - Certificates. With career-focused programs, Penn Foster Career School is an ideal choice for students who want to pursue their desired careers. The college is staffed with industry and academic professionals who have superior knowledge within their fields.

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