Provides brief company profiles and describes sales methods and electronic publishing ventures for six encyclopedia publishers: Encyclopedia Britannica, Inc.; World Book; Grolier; the P.F. Collier encyclopedia division of Macmillan Publishing; Funk & Wagnalls; and Standard Educational Corp. (MES)

It's the first day of the "Animals" unit for Tami Brester's third-grade class and the first day her students are using Glossopedia, a free online multimedia science encyclopedia. But you wouldn't know that from observing the kids, who are excitedly researching animals on the internet. This is inquiry-based learning of a special kind, incorporating…

Fullerton, California--College students use technology constantly. They text-message friends, compile playlists for their iPods, and are whizzes at updating their MySpace profiles. But when it comes to one kind of work they are required to do in college--namely, academic research--they can be inept. Too often, college officials say, students rely…

Compares three electronic encyclopedias offered for young people: Compton's, Encarta, and the new Grolier Multimedia Encyclopedia. Contents, interface, and navigation between articles are discussed; and recommended grade level, computer platforms, price, upgrade costs, documentation, and multimedia elements are compared. (LRW)

This article provides descriptions of four new science and technology encyclopedias that are appropriate for inclusion in upper elementary and/or middle school reference collections. "The Macmillan Encyclopedia of Weather" (Stern, Macmillan Reference/Gale), a one-volume encyclopedia for upper elementary and middle level students, is a…

This article describes Brittanica's Web-based K-12 resource, "Britannica Online Student Edition." This reference contains three encyclopedia databases: "Britannica" for teachers and older students, the "Student Britannica," and the "Elementary Brittanica." These are supplemented with videos and other media, a spotlight feature, a world atlas, and…

Describes CD-ROM technology and discusses its possible uses in the classroom. Comparisons are made with videodiscs, hardware needs are discussed, influences on the role of the teacher are examined, and Grolier's "Academic American Encyclopedia," which is available on CD-ROM, is described. (LRW)

Discusses the World Wide Web (W3) and its relevance to a philosophy of science. Topics include PORIDGE, an electronically mediated encyclopedia of postmodern knowledge; hypertext mark-up language; W3 as a medium for information ecologies; the relationship between W3 and the user; social manufacture of knowledge; and W3 as a model. (29 references)…

Describes a study of 150 university library Web sites in four English speaking countries. Results showed that the visual display of information was similar in all countries, but there were differences in content, including the availability of encyclopedias, request forms, pathfinders, and remote access. (Author/LRW)

Provides description of principal database sources for information on current events--newspaper indexes (e.g., INFORMATION BANK, VU/TEXT, NEWSPAPER INDEX); magazine databases (e.g., NEXIS-MAGS, MAGAZINE ASAP); wire service databases (e.g., NewsNet, WIRES, NEWS); and reference databases (encyclopedias, yearbooks, FACTS ON FILE). A list of the 37…

This article reviews the new Grolier Student Encyclopedia, intended for grades three through eight. Good middle-level readers might become frustrated with this source, but primary and intermediate students, middle-level students reading below grade level, and English language learners of any age will find the style of information presentation…

Developed as a guide for persons who intend to prepare a "nomenclator," this manual is a conceptual glossary whose items are classified according to a particular taxonomy and designed primarily to help scholars and authors write more clearly and succinctly. The guidelines that are set forth have developed from the preparation of the…

Discusses advantages and disadvantages of online availability of computerized versions of encyclopedias and notes works currently and soon to be online, searching strategies (subject headings and full-text), cost effectiveness, and librarian skepticism. (EJS)

Discusses search engines and provides methods for determining what resources are searched, the quality of the information, and the algorithms used that will improve the use of search engines on the World Wide Web, online public access catalogs, and electronic encyclopedias. Lists strategies for conducting searches and for learning about the latest…

Focuses on library collection development in the area of women in sports. Discusses Title IX, selecting titles, and prominent publishers in the field; and includes an annotated bibliography that includes encyclopedias, history, athletes, how-to books, coaching, general sports, magazines, and Web sites. (LRW)