Using EBSCO Host

Level 2 Tool

No data is shared:

Access to this tool does not require any user to share information about themselves

Grades:

  Primary

  Intermediate

  Middle

  High

This information last checked: 10/21/2016

Digital Content SNAPSHOT & SUPPORT RESOURCES

Overview

EBSCOhost provides users with a single interface that can be used to search a specific EBSCO database or across multiple databases. Databases indexed through EBSCOhost are shared with BCPS by the Baltimore County Public Library, including MasterFile Premier, MAS Ultra School Edition, MiddleSearch Plus, and Primary Search. EBSCO’s online research databases are powerful tools that can be used by students to access information as they develop critical thinking skills such as analysis, synthesis, and evaluation. Using EBSCO databases and interfaces brings together the AASL’s Standards for the 21st Century Learner with the steps in the research process, which can help to meet the objectives of content curricula and the Common Core. See the Content and Features section below for details about individual EBSCOhost databases. 

Target Audience:  

• MasterFile Premier:  Grades 6-12

• MAS Ultra School Edition:  Grades 9-12

• MiddleSearch Plus: Grades 6-8

• Primary Search:  Grades K-5 

Content Connections: All  

Standards Alignment:  EBSCO Supports Curriculum Standards 

Content & Features

 Databases searchable via the EBSCOhost interface: 

• MasterFile Premier is a public library database providing full text for nearly 1,700 periodicals with information dating as far back as 1975 and updated daily via EBSCOhost. Also contains full text for nearly 500 reference books and over 164,400 primary source documents, as well as an Image Collection of over 592,000 photos, maps & flags. This multidiscipliary database covers general reference, business, health, education, general science, multicultural issues, and much more.
• MAS Ultra - School Edition contains full text for nearly 500 popular, high school magazines. Also provides more than 360 full text reference books, 85,670 biographies, over 107,000 primary source documents, and an Image Collection of over 510,000 photos, maps & flags, color PDFs and expanded full text backfiles (back to 1975) for key magazines. 
• Middle Search Plus provides full text for more than 140 popular middle school magazines, as well as over 25,000 articles from Funk & Wagnall's New World Encyclopedia. All full text articles are assigned a reading level indicator (Lexiles). This database also contains 84,774 biographies, 105,786 primary source documents, and a School Image Collection of photos, maps and flags.
• Primary Search provides full text for more than 70 popular elementary school magazines, as well as over 25,000 articles from Funk & Wagnall's New World Encyclopedia. All full text articles included in the database are assigned a reading level indicator (Lexiles). This database also provides access to a collection of more than one million images of relevant photos, maps and flags

Navigation

• Limit your search to a specific database or search across multiple EBSCO databases.
• Conduct a Basic search by typing in a keyword in the single search box, or conduct an Advanced search using limiters and other options. 
• EBSCO Searching Tips User Guide 
• Basic Searching on EBSCO Interfaces
• Which search screens are available in EBSCOhost interfaces and how do they differ? 

Learning Supports & Tools 

• Text to Speech allows students to listen to HTML full text articles as they are read aloud. 
• Translation of text available in 33 different languages.
• Lexiles are labeled beside resource titles in Search Results, and in each Detailed Record; the Lexile number is linked to a Lexile Support page. Use Advanced Search to search by Lexile range or number.  
• Student Success Tools:
• Recipe for Research 
• Guide to Persuasive Essays and Debates
• How to Write a Works Cited
• How to Avoid Plagiarism
• How to Take Good Notes
• How to Write a Thesis Statement
• How to Cite Information 
• Student Guide to Lexiles 

Tutorials & Guides

Introduction to EBSCOhost  (Flash version)

• EBSCO Tutorials page - EBSCOhost Tutorials in Flash video, YouTube, or PowerPoint fomats. 
• EBSCO YouTube Channel 
• EBSCOhost User Guide 
• EBSCO Interfaces User Guide - Saving Search and Alerting Functions 
• EBSCO Interfaces User Guide - Print/E-mail/Save Functions  
• EBSCOhost Basics Recorded Training Webinar (requires download of Webinar and installation of Cisco Webex Recording Player)
• Frequently Asked Questions:
• MasterFILE Premier - Frequently Asked Questions 
• Middle Search Plus - Frequently Asked Questions 
• Primary Search - Frequently Asked Questions 

Educator Resources & Direct Linking 

• Teacher Guides:
• Middle Search Plus Teacher Guide:  Microsoft PowerPoint Format | Microsoft Word Format
• Primary Search Teacher Guide: Microsoft PowerPoint Format | Microsoft Word Format
• Teacher/Librarian Success Tools:
• Comparing EBSCOhost to Free Internet Search (PDF)
• Teacher/Librarian Success Tool: Digital Information Literacy Rubric 
• EBSCOhost Scavenger Hunt for Elementary & Middle School Students 
• EBSCOhost Databases in the Classroom Lesson Plan Template 
• MAS Ultra Thematic Unit (Social Science: The U.S. as a World Power and Member of the U.N.) 
• Middle Search Plus Thematic Unit (Social Studies: Ancient Egypt) 
• Language Arts Lesson Plan for Upper Elementary/Middle School - "Growing Up With Crayons"
• Primary Search Thematic Unit - "Identifying Theme"
• Primary Search Lesson Plan - "Life in Ancient Egypt" 
• EBSCOhost Lesson Plan - "Butterflies & Camouflage"
• Marketing Resources: 
• Sample text for promoting Primary Search to Faculty
• Sample text for promoting Middle Search Plus to Faculty | Sample text for promoting Middle Search Plus to Students
• Sample text for promoting MAS Ultra to Faculty 
• Direct Linking: Directions for creating a direct link to a specific article or resource for curriculum materials, Lesson TIles, or other digital learning environments.