This document outlines the latest updates, features, and improvements made to Informit Explore, as well as upcoming enhancements to look out for.
Indexed topic pages on Explore
All Explore topic pages have now been indexed on Informit. This means they are now searchable via Informit’s search functions and within library catalogues. This is an important update as it provides additional ways for Explore topics to become discoverable at your school or public library.
If you search for a topic (e.g ‘Australia’s Health System’), you will now see that topic appear in the search results as an ‘Explore Topic’.
Explore Media
In late October, a pilot was launched for a comprehensive media streaming add-on to Explore, including millions of videos from Australian broadcast networks specifically curated for secondary schools. The pilot will run for three months and all secondary schools with a ScreenRights license are eligible to participate, with an expected product launch planned for early 2025.
Key features:
- Ad-free educational video content from global channels like Al Jazeera, BBC Knowledge, The History Channel, and Discovery
- Access to over 15 years of Australian news and current affairs programs—with content from all major networks, including ABC, SBS, Nine, Ten and Sky. Beyond full programs. Explore Media also delivers Individual news stories from a diverse range of voices.
- New programs updated daily & curated to specific subject areas
- Easily embed videos in your school’s learning management systems
- Age-appropriate content filtering for students
What teachers and students can expect from Explore Media:
- An on-demand video streaming service, where you can stream documentaries, films, and educational series anytime, allowing for flexibility in lesson planning and learning.
- The ability to personalise learning by creating custom clips, saving favourites and sharing selected content.
- Access to content that stays available indefinitely, so subscribers never have to worry about programs being removed.
- The opportunity to request specific movies, documentaries, and TV episodes before they air
‘Issues in Society’ book series now live on Explore
61 eBooks from the popular ‘Issues in Society’ series, published by Justin Healey of The Spinney Press, are now live on Explore. You can find them highlighted on the landing page, and across Explore’s subject and issue pages.
Coming soon:
- Two new subject areas – Media and Popular Culture + The Arts, with new topics across both areas that address the English, visual arts, media studies, drama and music curricula.
- Interactive online media study guides – Informit has partnered with Australian Teachers of Media to deliver enhanced digital versions of their study guides for key films and documentaries within the curriculum, available with an Explore Media subscription.
- Enhancements to Explore Media, including additional curated content and full integration with Explore’s homepage/site infrastructure.
- New Zealand focused topics – an additional 13 topics across all subject areas will be added to Explore to provide additional coverage for the New Zealand region.