1 What is a Database? Any collection of related information, such as a student list, list of suspected criminals, or a factory inventory

2 Where are database most commonly used? businesses businesses industry industry government government educational institutions educational institutions

3 How are database most commonly used? Record keeping Record keeping Inventory Inventory Searching by use of the query for specific people, places, prices, etc. Searching by use of the query for specific people, places, prices, etc. Creating specialized reports for clients Creating specialized reports for clients

4 What Can a Database Do?  Sort data by field  Filter data using several fields (queries)  Create reports using sort and/or filter functions to analyze data (using calculations)  Organize & summarize scientific & business data (including calculations)  Print a list or a record  Merge data into a word processor

5 How is a database organized? In records and fields Example: Example: Database Title: The 50 States Database Title: The 50 States Record: Pennsylvania. Record: Pennsylvania. Fields: Name, Capital, population, state bird, state tree, state flower, famous people, important dates, etc. Fields: Name, Capital, population, state bird, state tree, state flower, famous people, important dates, etc.

6 VIEW the database as a... Form –view all data on one record (everything about PA, for example) Form –view all data on one record (everything about PA, for example) List – in columns, (part of all records can be seen; scroll vertically and horizontally to see all data) List – in columns, (part of all records can be seen; scroll vertically and horizontally to see all data) Viewing A Database

7 Form View

8 List View

9 How can databases be used in the classroom? Review for tests Review for tests Scavenger hunts Scavenger hunts Problem solving Problem solving Data gathering and analysis Data gathering and analysis Critical thinking skills Critical thinking skills Simulations Simulations

10 How can you use a database in your classroom? Each student can create 1 record of a database – data can be merged to create a database on a topic Each student can create 1 record of a database – data can be merged to create a database on a topic Students can gather & analyze scientific data Students can gather & analyze scientific data Teachers can create questions for students to answer & analyze on previously created databases Teachers can create questions for students to answer & analyze on previously created databases

11 Example Databases DatabaseActivitySubject DiseasesDiagnose patientshealth, science Geography Scavenger Hunt, Map skills, Simulations, analysis geography, health, math, government, foreign language Book Logs Create a database, Write summary of books read, Search merged databases to find book genres student wants to read, can be used as an on-going portfolio from grade 2 (teacher created database) Reading, language arts Gardening plan a flower garden by color, size & season Science or a club Ancient History Scavenger hunt, Analysis of various civilizations (Greek, Roman, Egyptian, Fertile Crescent) Ancient History, math, architecture

12 DatabaseActivitySubject Revolutionary War Scavenger hunt, data gathering and analysis of famous people in the revolutionary war - graphing American History, math Civil War Scavenger hunt, data gathering & analysis of famous people in the Civil war - graphing American History, math Black History Fact gathering on the history of Famous Black Americans and their influence on the USA History, Language Arts, Current Events Foreign Language Culture Create & use a picture database on the culture of French, Spanish, or German-speaking countries, see the sights, create a menu of ethnic food Foreign Language classes,

13 Endangered Species gain knowledge of endangered species & analyze the reasons for their endangerment, Simulation: You are a conservationist, how will you help a species. Life Science Famous Women gain knowledge of famous women in history, History, Language Arts, Current Events Explorers discover famous explorers – how did they contribute to scientific knowledge? history, Web Sites Categorize web sites to be used with students, etc. administrative DatabaseActivitySubject

14 DatabaseActivitySubject Curriculum - Related Pictures Teachers can create a database & categorize pictures to be used in various curriculum areas administrative, presentations Famous Inventors discover famous inventors and what they invented, explore the concept “Necessity is the mother of invention.” history, science Famous Artanalyze styles of art (picture database) art, history, math, architecture