To wire or not to wire? Encyclopaedia Britannica versus Microsoft Encarta

This paper will review Encyclopaedia Britannica and Microsoft Encarta, highlighting elements of audience appeal, educational value and potential for learning. Currently, encyclopaedia publishers compete to reestablish their position in the information age. In this context, Britannica and Encarta publishers concentrate their efforts in rejuvenating their products’ agenda and their role in learning and education. While learning models are intermingled with business models, the need for re-evaluation remains necessary. These issues are drawn together to inform the future conduct of assessment and evaluation of encyclopaedia services.