Encyclopedia Britannica has created applications for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch to teach students about volcanoes, dinosaurs and ancient Egypt.

The three applications are meant for students ages 8-14. They are the first titles in a series that Britannica says will provide children in the middle grades with engaging new ways to learn about major school topics using the digital devices they prefer.

"At the most basic level the aim of these apps is to create a fun, interactive learning experience for kids that makes good use of Britannica?s vast stores of information and multimedia,? said John Russell, director of business development at Encyclopedia Britannica, Chicago.

?To put it in a bit more context, though, our publishing strategy has always focused on delivering knowledge and information to people in whatever ways they like best and find most convenient.?

Encyclopedia Britannica has led the way in digital and online publishing from the start. It published its first digital encyclopedia in 1981?possibly the first digital encyclopedia ever. 

Delivering information
?The approach we?ve taken with these apps is simply an extension this idea,? Mr. Russell said. ?If there?s a new way to learn and access information that people like, we want to be there.

?It?s a great benefit for a kid to be able to study a subject and at the same time enjoy herself while riding in a car, taking the bus to school, or taking break from something else,? he said. ?We?re focusing increasingly on students, and on making their learning experiences enjoyable.

?These apps and the others in the series to come will do this by combining reliable information based on the curriculum with games, puzzles, multimedia and other teaching tools that will make it fun.?   

Content-rich
Each application combines a mixture of reliable information and age-appropriate games that together provide extensive coverage of the subject.

In addition to overview articles from Britannica editors on key aspects of each topic--such as plate tectonics, the world of dinosaurs, the dynasties of Egypt--each application also includes a host of multimedia elements, maps, puzzles, photos, videos, narrated slide shows and quizzes.

Each application has a navigation wheel at the bottom of the screen designed to make browsing through the features easy and fun.

Among the special features are memory-match games, virtual jigsaw puzzles, media galleries and quizzes in which students can test themselves on what they have learned.

There is a list of the most dangerous volcanoes, with an article on each; major dinosaurs from Allosaurus to Velociraptor; and the Egyptian gods, from Amon to Thoth.

The applications also make it easy to share the information on Facebook and Twitter.

Why mobile
Kids have grown up in an increasingly mobile world, and using mobile, handheld devices is second nature to them. 

Mr. Russell said they will enjoy these applications because they combine authoritative information with cool multimedia.

The company is confident that parents and teachers will like them too, because the contents of the programs are based on the school curriculum and the information is compiled and vetted by Britannica editors.

?We?ve been publishing on mobile devices for ten years, ever since our first product for Palm handhelds in 2000,? Mr. Russell said. ?Since then we?re had a variety of products and applications for cell phones, stand-alone handheld devices, and other mobile hardware. 

?From the very start it?s been a natural extension of our mission, which is to help people learn and find information in whatever ways they like best,? he said. ?Our apps for the iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch give us another platform on which to develop cool programs that kids will enjoy.

?They?re great platforms?millions of people are using these Apple devices?and we?re enjoying making the most of the capabilities and flexibility they give us.?

Final take
Giselle Tsirulnik is senior editor of Mobile Marketer and Mobile Commerce Daily
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