Gale's Biography in Context
Database
History is about People!
Updated regularly, Gale's Biography in Context database contains a wealth of information, housing biographies on over half a million people, dead and alive. The interface (look and feel) is similar to a website, making it easy to navigate for users familiar with using the Web.
Search Options
Search
The default search box option is to search by name. However, if you don't know the name you can search by occupation, nationality, birth place, or death place. You can also perform a more detailed person search or an advanced search. Both of these options consist of limiters based on keywords, dates, document type, type of content and content level (basic, intermediate, advanced).
Assist
Search Assist will help suggest a person(s) as you type in your query.
Browse
Browse people by 52 different categories including African Americans, American Presidents, American Revolution, Artists, Civil War, Native Americans, Notable Women, Social Reformers, World Explorers, World War II, and Writers.
Results
Image, fact box, academic journals, reference materials, featured content, magazines, news, websites, videos, images, audio, and related topics.
Search Results by JenLQ
Tools
There is a tool bar to the right of the biography with options to bookmark, download, share, e-mail, print, translate or save the biography, and with links to a dictionary and citation tools.
Accessible
- At the top of the biography there is a speaker icon and the word "Listen." You can click on it to hear the full text of the biography read aloud. Or you can highlight the section you want read aloud and then click on the speaker and it will only read that section. And it highlights each word on the screen as it reads it, making it easy for the reader to follow along. You can adjust the settings to highlight sentences, words and sentences, words only, or no highlighting. Furthermore, the speed can be set to slow, medium or fast. You can also download an mp3 of the full text.
- In the upper right corner, you can toggle between two different sizes of font, making it easier to read by enlarging the font.
- The proper source citation is given so you can just copy and paste it into your works cited.
- Biographies can be translated into 13 different languages at the click of the translate button, a useful tool for ESL students especially, making it easier for them to read and understand the information in their native language.
The resources button leads to a page with links to tools categorized by general, teachers, students and librarians including tutorials, lesson plans, tip sheets and apps for smart phones.
Lesson Plans
Lessons Integrating Art and History this database could be used for:
- Create a political cartoon about an important political figure in U.S. History.
- Create a comic book about an important person in U.S. history.
- Students work in groups of two to prepare a "broadcast television" interview with a newsworthy politician.
<http://www.galeschools.com/lesson_plans/secondary/english/interview.htm> - Students will research a significant individual in history and create a photo journal of their experiences.
<http://www.galeschools.com/lesson_plans/secondary/social_science/BioRC2.htm> - Choose an important person in U.S. history; use the resources on Gale Biography in Context to come up with a concept and create an original work of art related to that person's life. Scan it, then present your work using VoiceThread or Blabberize.com.
Image Sources
Gale Biography In Context. Web. 8 Nov. 2012. <http://ic.galegroup.com.navigator-mansfield.passhe.edu/ic/bic1>
"Biography in Context Search Tips." Gale Biography In Context. Sep. 2010. Web. 8 Nov. 2012. <http://www.gale.cengage.com/pdf/searchtip/biographyic-search-tips.pdf>
Dream Avatar. Web. 8 Nov. 2012. <http://www.tektek.org/avatar/51199487>
"Biography in Context Search Tips." Gale Biography In Context. Sep. 2010. Web. 8 Nov. 2012. <http://www.gale.cengage.com/pdf/searchtip/biographyic-search-tips.pdf>
Dream Avatar. Web. 8 Nov. 2012. <http://www.tektek.org/avatar/51199487>