The Library subscribes to a number of electronic resources. These include Britannica Online, EBSCO and Issues Online, all of which are accessible both in school or at home.
Britannica Online is basically what is suggested in the title: an online version of Encyclopaedia Britannica. The online version is arranged into class levels, meaning that students will find information appropriate for their age. This is an advantage over Wikipedia, which isn't organized according to age group.
EBSCO is a database that makes available articles from academic and popular magazines. At the top end, it is useful for Secondary students preparing for university, where they will be required to use similar databases. But it is also offers a more organized and authoritative alternative to regular search engines for younger students. It is also arranged into year levels.
Issues Online provides online access to articles about topical issues, such as internet use, bullying and racism. The articles provide points of view on both sides of the issue. This is a useful resource for students doing work on projects that require deeper insight.
Britannica Online can be accessed through the school intranet. Links to EBSCO and Issues Online are available on the links at the side of the page - they do however require passwords, which are available by contacting the librarian.
Wikipedia, with a 97% share of the online encyclopedia market, has forced Microsoft to shut down Encarta. How long will it be before Wikipedia claims the prize scalp of Encyclopaedia Britannica?
ReplyDeleteEncyclopaedia Britannica did not think that an open source product like Wikipedia would significantly challenge the credibility of its brand. They were dead wrong and Encyclopaedia Britannica's staff seriously misread the global market. They are now very concerned about the widespread use of a free Wikipedia vs their paid subscription model. From a corporate and financial perspective, Encyclopaedia Britannica is in significant trouble.
It will be interesting to see if Encyclopaedia Britannica survives, but recent indications do not look good. It is the combination of a) the success of Wikipedia and b) improved search engines that has put financial pressure on Encyclopedia Britannica over recent years. Many libraries, schools & individuals are questioning the need to pay for sets of expensive books, or to subscribe to Encyclopaedia Britannica Online, when the content is free on the internet, and much more comprehensive.
Over the next year or so I think that we will see the continued demise of Britannica as it becomes ever less relevant in a Wikipedia-dominated landscape.