1. DATA INFORMATION

2. Keywords Data Process/ed Information Database Computerised database
Paper-based database
Advantages
Disadvantages
Briefly, discuss skills and qualifications generally sought in sector…any questions? (7mins)

3. Lesson Objectives
To understand what data is and how it is used (i.e. generate information)
To understand what information is
To be able to identify and discuss what a database is and its purposes (i.e. store data, manipulate and generate information)
To identify the advantages and disadvantages of paper-based and computerised databases

4. Starter: CAN YOU UNSCRAMBLE THESE WORDS?
ADAT
MIOFNRATNIO
SEBATADA
PCDUMOTEREIS

5. What is data? Linda: 23011999, 14, 34 Andrew: 05082001, 13, 33
Data is words, dates, numbers or images collected about a location or object.
What kind of data do you think the numbers below represent?
Linda: , 14, 34
Andrew: , 13, 33
Cynthia: , 15, 38
Name, Date of birth, Age, Shoe size

6. What is information?
Information is data that has been processed to be useful and meaningful.
To change data into information we have to place it in context and provide answers to who, what, where and when questions.

7. Quiz Data or Information?12

8. Data or Information?

9. Data or Information?

10. Data or Information?

11. What is a database?
A database is like a library – it stores pieces of information called a record.
It is a collection of data that is structured – so that its contents can be accessed, managed, updated and presented.

12. Questions
How many of you have ever kept details of your friends’ or family’s birthdays in a birthday book?
How many of you have written your friends’ addresses into an address book?
How many of you have a copy of the Yellow Pages at home?
What is the difference between computerised and paper-based databases

13. Can you think of examples of paper-based databases?
These examples are of paper-based databases. However, when we use the term 'database' we generally think of a computerised database.

14. In pairs, think of some advantages of paper-based databases
Inexpensive to set up
Don’t need electricity, so you can record data even if there is a power-cut
Don’t need a computer – which is expensive

15. In pairs, think of some disadvantages of paper-based databases
Can be lost or damaged
It is not easy to make back-up copies
Hard to update or make changes
Card systems can get in a muddle if cards not replaced in the correct order
Can take a while to search for a particular record

16. Can you think of a few examples of computerised databases?
Here are two examples used by the museum

17. Computerised databases
Museum databases These contain records for every object in the museums’ collections.
In order to find the right websites, search engines need a vast computerised database which they search using your entered keywords.

18. Think of some advantages for computerised databases
Can easily make back-up copies
Can easily make changes
Can easily sort data into order e.g. alphabetically
Can search for particular records very quickly
Can import or export data to/from other packages

19. Think of some disadvantages of computerised databases
Can be lost or damaged
Can be expensive to set up if you have to get a professional to make it
If there is a power-cut, you can’t use it (unless of course the battery is charged)
You need to have a computer

20. Database case study
We can search a database to find the information we are looking for.
What kind of information do you think your school database has about you?

21. Research task
In a Word document, explain how the following professions and organisations use databases:
Doctors
Schools
Libraries
Museums

22. Plenary Let’s play dominoes
Working in pairs
You have each been given a card with a question on one half and an answer on the other. Is the answer given true or false? Explain your answer.

23. Homework
Take a look at the Museum of London's Collections online database.
Select any object and list four different
types of information that are recorded about it.
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