Because first experiences with information-gathering can
significantly contribute to the defining of a child's attitude towards research, parents will want to choose research tools
that make the process enjoyable. Continuing with the concept that sometimes
"less is more", this latest edition of the electronic encyclopedia,
World Book, remains an outstanding reference software for children entering
the world of research. Elementary-age children will find relevant articles and
multimedia that can help them with school projects. Additionally, users of the
software will find plenty of creative features that encourage them to satisfy
their thirst for information, simply for the sake of knowledge.
New to the 2004 edition are updates of 3000+
new articles, new maps and tables, and 600+ new illustrations and
photos.
The software's creative
presentation of information, mentioned above, is most evident in two of its
fanciful features. One feature does not require an active internet connection.
Instead, Surf the Ages allows children to "surf" imaginary World
Wide Web sites created as if the Internet were available in historical times.
These simulated web sites, although imaginary, are based on solid, factual
research. For example, children can browse the Roman Forum web site and
experience the "breaking news" in ancient times in the Roman Empire
(such as Mount Vesuvius Blows its Top - an interview with a survivor). This feature is very stimulating!
The
second feature does require internet access. Back in Time allows children
access to 80 years of World Book articles, allowing children the opportunity
to read about events described without the "bias" of current perspectives.
Users are greeted with a pleasant splash screen that offers different tools
for searching and browsing the contents of World Book Encyclopedia. Once
inside, children will find an intuitive interface and clear icons at every turn.
There are three CD-ROMs in the Deluxe Edition. The third CD-ROM (the 2003
edition of the software included 2) is a bonus How to Study CD from World Book
that offers tips for taking notes, listening, and gathering information.
A handy improvement to this year's edition is
the ability to fully install the first CD-ROM of the encyclopedia. Users
will still need to put in the second CD from time to time, but this doesn't
happen very often.
The Monthly Spotlight feature helps children learn how to use the program
while offering links to articles that relate to the current month. Just Looking
allows users to browse the encyclopedia randomly or via customized searches.
Articles in World Book generally include links to related information,
both within the encyclopedia and online, in addition to questions for review.
The latter helps motivated children process the information they have read.
Children can easily place "sticky notes" in articles for future reference, and
they can use a nice highlighting feature that works much like a regular highlighter
pen. Children use this tool to mark selected text in yellow. The encyclopedia
has a built-in, child-friendly dictionary. If children stumble upon words in
an article that stump them, they can simply double-click the word, and a definition
of the word (or a close match) will appear in a pop-up window. The program also
features an easy-to-use Atlas. The maps are interactive, quite detailed, and
available in different views, such as climate, historical development, and population
density maps. Different types of Homework Wizards are available for help with
preparing reports, charts, and even quizzes.
The amount of multimedia content in an electronic encyclopedia is important
for stimulating interest, but perhaps more critical is how the multimedia
is used. Multimedia is liberal and creatively distributed throughout the World
Book articles. World Book features plenty of pictures, videos, audio
clips, and over a hundred 360-degree panoramic views. The use of multimedia
in the encyclopedia is creative enough to hold children's interest and to enhance
learning.
We hope that future updates to the program will include help for children
who misspell words in their search, like the help found in Encarta.
We performed several tests by searching for information that real kids needed
for school projects and presentations. One test involved a child tester's project
on Polish people and traditions. We found very readable, relevant information
on the topic, as well as nice media, including pictures and even songs.
World Book Encyclopedia 2004 offers a nice alternative to web searches.
It contains a fair amount of content as well as hand-picked web links. This
keeps children from being overwhelmed by too much — and irrelevant —
information, thus streamlining the process of gathering information. Children
can feel confident that the information they find in this electronic
encyclopedia is reputable. As such,
it is a great choice for children who have basic information needs.
It is important to note that children beyond elementary age will likely need
more information than that contained in World Book. However, for young
researchers, World Book offers a positive and useful introduction to
research and information gathering.
