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The Oxford Dictionary of National Biography

The Oxford Dictionary of National Biography explores the lives of over 57,000 people worldwide who have shaped the British past over the last 2,400 years - from the 4th-century BC Greek explorer Pytheas to the Queen Mother, and from the founding fathers of America to the Nawabs of Bengal.

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Relevance to the National Curriculum

The Oxford Dictionary of National Biography is suitable for the teaching, learning and coursework requirements of a wide range of subjects (including History, English Literature, Art, Music, RE, Science and Technology, and Citizenship) at Key Stages 3 and 4, A/AS level and the International Baccalaureate.

Content

The Oxford Dictionary of National Biography offers cross-searchable access to the full text of the latest 60-volume print edition and the original 33-volume edition. It is also updated regularly with new biographies, portrait illustrations, and other special features.

It includes:

  • over 57,000 biographies, and over 10,000 portrait illustrations
  • an expanding range of feature essays - from the Fire of London to women in politics
  • themed articles (for example Roman Britain) and reference lists (such as the Kings and Queens of Britain) including direct links to relevant biographies
  • extensive bibliographies, and a growing number of direct links to other websites (such as the National Register of Archives and the National Portrait Gallery) make follow up research quick and easy
  • content updates 3 times a year including new and revised biographies, new articles and other special features

Sign up to receive the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography life of the day via email and RSS. Podcasts are also available.

Further information about the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography is available at http://www.oxfordonline.com/online/odnb/

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Reviews

"Reliable, authoritative and full of fascinating detail." Schoolzone

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Access options

A range of access options is on offer to enable teachers and learners to use all JISC Collections for Schools resources both within the school (for example, by IP address) and from home (for example, via Shibboleth, a link on the school's secure intranet, and/or username and password).

An unlimited number of staff and students at subscribing schools can access each JISC Collections for Schools resource concurrently so they can be used in the classroom with confidence.

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Pricing

Pricing is calculated according to the total number of learners at a school, or schools within a region - so the more schools that subscribe to a resource as a group, the lower the price per learner is likely to be.

All suppliers have guaranteed that the prices negotiated by JISC Collections are the lowest available.

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Subscription and invoicing information

The agreement for the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography runs until 31 August 2011.

Schools and buying groups can subscribe at any time but are committed until the end of the subscription year in which their subscription starts i.e. 31 August 2010 or 31 August 2011.

Charges will be prorated - for example, if a subscription starts on 1 January 2010, the cost of the subscription will be for 8 months until 31 August 2010.

Please note that subscriptions will not be set up, and access granted, until a signed copy of the Acceptance of Licence Agreement Form (see below) has been received by JISC Collections for Schools.

An invoice from the subscription start date until the end of the subscription year will also be issued when the signed copy of the Acceptance of Licence Agreement Form (see below) is received.

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How to subscribe

Scan and email it to schoolshelp@jisc.ac.uk
OR
Post an unbound copy to:
JISC Collections for Schools
Unit 7, North Leigh Business Park
North Leigh
Oxfordshire OX29 6SW

  • Keep one signed copy of the full Acceptance of Licence Form for your records.
  • When the signed Acceptance of Licence Form has been received by JISC Collections for Schools, the publisher will be notified and access will be set up.
  • An invoice from the subscription start date until the end of the subscription year will also be sent when the signed Acceptance of Licence Form has been received by JISC Collections for Schools.
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How to get the best price

Prices offered through JISC Collections for Schools are guaranteed to be the lowest available. Schools subscribing individually to one or more JISC Collections for Schools resources benefit from discounts on publishers' list prices in the majority of cases, but schools subscribing as part of a buying group can achieve discounts of up to 75%.

A buying group can consist of any group of schools in a region with a combined total of at least 2,500 learners that places an order for a resource at the same time.

Local authorities, and organisations such as School Library Services, are taking an active role in coordinating buying groups in many areas in order to achieve the highest possible discount.

In addition, an increasing number of schools in informal local or regional networks are also working together to secure the best possible pricing.

To find out what is happening in your area, or if you would like help setting up a buying group, contact jcs-info@jisc.ac.uk.

  • Click here for pricing information
  • Click here to request a free 30-day trial
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Support for teachers

The Oxford Dictionary of National Biography is suitable use in project and coursework requirements (for example in local history projects) as learners are able to discover how individuals shaped well-known historical events, at a local, national or international level.

The Oxford Dictionary of National Biography also provides the following resources to support classroom activity:

Further evaluation of classroom usage is available at http://www.schoolzone.co.uk/resources/evaluations/classroomuse.asp?evalID=4414

A range of other training resources (including an introductory presentation) is available here. Online training sessions are also available free of charge - view the schedule here.

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Free trials

Free 30-day trials for all JISC Collections for Schools resources are available to enable schools and local authorities to assess their value in teaching and learning.

  • Request a free trial for your school, or for a group of schools
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Further information

Login URL

http://www.oxforddnb.com

Information for teachers and staff

http://www.oup.com/oxforddnb/info

Training materials

  • downloadable pdf guides for Oxford Dictionary of National Biography
  • a classroom demonstration
  • sample lesson plans and teacher's notes (specifically for the teaching of History at Key Stages 3 and 4)
  • links to other relevant online learning resources
  • an open shelves area with interactive features
  • a range of other training resources (including an introductory presentation) is available here
  • online training sessions are also available free of charge - view the schedule here

Technical, administrative, and user support

Email schoolshelp@jisc.ac.uk
phone: 01993 880044

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