Wolfram Alpha

I have recently done a lot of writing about the benefits of Google for SLPs, but as a counterpoint I want to point out a different (non-conflicting) resource: Wolfram Alpha. Wolfram Alpha looks like a search engine, but is actually a "computational knowledge engine" that returns easily readable results for many questions (with more answers each day as the site grows)- not webpages as Google does.

Wolfram Alpha is best explored in order to be understood as a resource for SLPs, particularly in teaching students the ever-important skill of categorizing, though I think its applications go beyond that to encompass many more language topics and research skills.  Check out Wolfram Alpha's example page, which allows you to click through and view a large variety of "computations."  You can try out a search of your own "from scratch" at the main page.

Here's a little video on Wolfram Alpha.  This resource is so broad, it's almost hard to fathom.  How do you think you might use it?  Let us know by leaving a comment!