Britannica Puts Its Powers on the Web

  • 08/01/96

Helping to tame the information jungle is Britannica Online, a subscription-based service that is authoritative and comprehensive. Drawing not only on all of Encyclopedia Britannica's own resources (all 32 volumes), there are also bibliographies and thousands of links to related topics both within Britannica and throughout the Internet; all are continually updated on the service by EB's editors.
A natural-language search engine lets students type questions in ordinary English, or Boolean operators can be used to narrow searches. The list of matching articles are ranked in relevance. One can print and save all text and images. Among the unique features to the service are Britannica's Lives, a listing of biographies sorted by birth date; Propaedia, which shows the service's information in outline form; and Current Interest, articles relevant to today's headlines and calendar dates.
Separate pricing exists for elementary and secondary schools, for public libraries and for universities; in general, most academic institutions pay less than $1 per student. Educators and librarians can receive a free two-week preview. Britannica Electronic Products, Chicago, IL, (800) 554-9862, http://www.eb.com.

Featured

  • three silhouetted education technology leaders with thought bubbles containing AI-related icons

    Ed Tech Leaders Rank Generative AI as Top Tech Priority

    In a recent CoSN survey, an overwhelming majority of ed tech leaders (94%) said they see AI as having a positive impact on education. Respondents ranked generative AI as their top tech priority, with 80% reporting their districts have gen AI initiatives underway, or plan to in the current school year.

  • computer monitor with a bold AI search bar on the screen

    Google Rolls Out AI Mode in Search

    About a year after introducing AI Overviews for its flagship search offering, Google has announced broad availability of AI Mode in Search.

  • glowing shield hovers above a digital cloud platform with abstract data streams and cloud icons in the background

    Google to Acquire Cloud Security Firm Wiz in $32 Billion Deal

    Google has announced it will acquire cloud security startup Wiz for $32 billion. If completed, the acquisition — an all-cash deal — would mark the largest in Google's history.

  • students using digital devices, surrounded by abstract AI motifs and soft geometric design

    Ed Tech Startup Kira Launches AI-Native Learning Platform

    A new K-12 learning platform aims to bring personalized education to every student. Kira, one of the latest ed tech ventures from Andrew Ng, former director of Stanford's AI Lab and co-founder of Coursera and DeepLearning.AI, "integrates artificial intelligence directly into every educational workflow — from lesson planning and instruction to grading, intervention, and reporting," according to a news announcement.