EBSCOhost

Freemium!

EBSCOhost is a comprehensive clearinghouse of article databases users can search. With EBSCOhost, users will need to sign-in with an authentication key to access all of the databases. (If users do not have the key, they will only be able to access the GreenFILE database, which is still a comprehensive database with a focus on the environment.) To search EBSCOhost, users must select the “search” tab on the bottom of the screen and then type their search term(s) in the box at the top of the screen. Once submitted, EBSCOhost will provide a list of articles that match the search term, and users can click on the article to read its abstract, email the abstract, or save it.

Instructional Ideas

1. When assigned a research paper or presentation, students can use this app to find articles they can include and cite in their paper or presentation.
2. Teachers can use this app to show students how to read an abstract. To do so, teachers can search a topic and peruse the article abstracts in front of their class. Teachers can use a “think-aloud” strategy to explain their thinking as they read the abstracts. To do so, teachers will need to point out information in the abstract and explain aloud why that information is or is not of use to them.
3. This app can be used to teach students how to find quality articles quickly. To do so, teachers can have students conduct searches for information about a specific article using this app. For example, teachers may have students search for information “Gorillas” in this app. Then, teachers can have students change the “settings” option and refine their search terms to manipulate the list of articles they receive. So, instead of just searching for abstract, students may search for complete texts, or instead of searching for “Gorillas,” students may add terms like “Gorillas in the jungle” or “Gorillas and Genetics.” As students fine-tune the settings and search terms, they will make decisions for how they can most effectively find articles.
4. Teachers can have students use this app to create an annotated bibliography. To do so, students will first need a topic to research. Next, students can search for articles in this app that directly relate to that topic. Students will then read multiple abstracts. When ready, students will choose the top three, five, or more abstracts to include in their annotated bibliography. For each article, students will have to cite it using MLA, APA, or Chicago Style and then compose a brief summary of the abstract. Students can use an Office app to complete their annotated bibliographies.

Screenshots