Encyclopedia Britannica

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Encyclopedia Britannica is a comprehensive resource for users that allows them to research and learn about a variety of topics. From its main page, users are presented with Britannica stories, topics for exploration, photos, and trending topics. For each piece of content, users can click the headline to access additional information about it. In addition, Encyclopedia Britannica provides links to four different types of content that include: Stories, Quizzes, Galleries, and Lists. The “Stories” tab includes current event articles. After clicking on the “Stories” tab, users are able to view the most recent articles, or they can search articles by type, category, and date. Each article provides users with text about the topic, images that relate to the topic, and links to additional content related to the topic. The “Quizzes” tab presents users with quizzes about a variety of topics. Each quiz includes multiple-choice questions, and users earn points by answering the questions accurately and quickly. After completing a quiz, users are shown their final score, how their score compares to other users who took the same quiz, and recommendations for related quizzes. The “Galleries” tab presents users with a variety of pictures sorted by topic. Users can search the galleries by category, and each image includes a caption. The “Lists” tab presents users with a topic and entries that align to it. Each entry is ranked and includes information about the topic. Users are able to search lists by category or view the Editor’s pick. If users wish to search all of Encyclopedia Britannica’s content, they can do so by entering a search term in the search box and then peruse the findings.Please Note: This review is focused on the general Encyclopedia Britannica website. If users wish to view the Britannica’s resources for K-12 education specifically, they should visit http://info.eb.com/.

Instructional Ideas

1. After engaging a piece of content from this website, teachers can require students to summarize the content in 1-3 sentences. Students can write their summaries using an Office app. In addition, teachers can require students to list 1-3 new facts they learned and any questions they may have about the topic.
2. Teachers can have students read a “List” presented by this website. Next, students can rank the entries on the list, from most interesting or thought provoking to least interesting and important. Students can then compare their lists. Finally, teachers can facilitate a class conversation where students discuss their ranking and justify why they ranked certain items how they did. The goal of the conversation is for the class to come to a consensus ranking. In preparation for the discussion, teachers can require students to individually rank the items and compose rationales for them using an Office app. Students can email their rankings and rationales to their teacher.
3. As a bell ringer activity, teachers can provide the link to a quiz that is posted to this website. All students will then take the quiz. Next, teachers can explain how the quiz relates to an upcoming lesson or unit of study. In addition, teachers can ask students if there was a quiz question that interested them. If so, teachers can engage students in a conversation about the quiz question and together they can explore the related links.
4. Teachers can use this website to have students create annotated bibliographies. To do so, teachers can assign students a topic. Next, students will have to find a certain number of articles related to the topic that are included on this website. (The teacher will have to decide the specific amount of articles required.) Students will then have to read the article, write its full citation, and compose a short summary of the article. Students can write their bibliographies using an Office app, and they can email their work to their teacher for grading.
5. When conducting research, students can enter their research topic or related keywords in the search box on the top right of the screen. Next, students can peruse the results. Students will be able to potentially use the information they found on this website in their research project.

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