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Oxford Reference Online

Oxford Reference Online is a comprehensive online library which offers cross-searchable access to the full text of over 200 dictionaries and reference works covering the full subject spectrum. It also includes 12,500 images and other special features such as thematic timelines. New books and new editions are added regularly.

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Relevance to the National Curriculum

Oxford Reference Online is suitable for the teaching, learning and coursework requirements at Key Stages 3 and 4, A/AS level and the International Baccalaureate.

Oxford Reference Online has applications that are both subject-specific and cross-curricular. Subject coverage includes: art and architecture, biological sciences, classics, computing, earth and environmental sciences, economics and business, food and drink, geography, history, law, literature, natural history, performing arts, physical sciences and mathematics, political and social sciences, and religion and philosophy.

Content

Oxford Reference Online offers access to over 200 dictionaries and reference works published by Oxford University Press.

It includes:

  • Key titles from Oxford Companions series, plus the Visual English Dictionary, the Oxford Dictionary of Quotations and heavily illustrated titles such as the Encyclopedia of Mammals
  • Over 160 subject dictionaries offering coverage on subjects from art to accountancy, politics to physics, and computing to classics
  • Over 1.3 million entries
  • More than 12,500 images and illustrations, including 6,000 in full colour with fully cross-searchable captions
  • In excess of 900 full-colour country, state and city maps and flags
  • More than 40 timelines linking over 2,500 key events in 20th century history
  • Updates to content and functionality three times a year

Further information about Oxford Reference Online is available at http://www.oxfordreference.com/pub/views/home.html

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Reviews

"Entirely suitable for all subject areas...an essential purchase for any school." TEEM (Teachers Evaluating Educational Multimedia)

"The searchability of this database is simple, yet awesome...highly recommended" School Library Journals

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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 Oxford Reference Online 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

Oxford Reference Online is suitable for use in project and coursework requirements across the curriculum due to the diversity of information offered.

No classroom support materials are currently available but a range of training resources (including an introductory presentation) is available here.

Online training sessions are also available free of charge - view the schedule here.

If you want to submit your own thoughts on classroom use and application of Oxford Reference Online, please contact jcs-info@jisc.ac.uk

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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.oxfordreference.com

Links to useful information

Technical, administrative, and user support

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

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