1. 2/10/09Using Databases in the Curriculum1 Educate for Diversity Reinforce Map Skills Use the Scientific Method Simulate Real-Life Situations Teach Data Analysis Encourage Critical Thinking Go on a Scavenger Hunt CompareCivilizations Develop Organizational Skills

2. 2/10/09Using Databases in the Curriculum2 Educate for Diversity Educate for Diversity Practice Map skills Practice Map skills Use the Scientific Method Use the Scientific Method Simulate Real-Life situations Simulate Real-Life situations Teach Data Analysis Teach Data Analysis What do these activities have in common? They can all be done with DATABASES. Compare Civilizations Compare Civilizations Go on a Scavenger hunt Go on a Scavenger hunt Encourage Critical Thinking Encourage Critical Thinking Develop Organizational Skills Develop Organizational Skills

3. 2/10/09Using Databases in the Curriculum3 What is a Database? Any collection of information, such as a library card catalog, student list, customer list, list of presidents, or phone book.

4. 2/10/09Using Databases in the Curriculum4 A database is organized in records and fields Example: Example: Database Title: Endangered Species of Pennsylvania Database Title: Endangered Species of Pennsylvania Record: King Rail Record: King Rail Fields: Name, Type, Habitat, Status, Reasons for Loss, Food, Management Strategies, Other Facts Fields: Name, Type, Habitat, Status, Reasons for Loss, Food, Management Strategies, Other Facts

5. 2/10/09Using Databases in the Curriculum5 What Can a Database Do?  Print a list or record  Sort data by field  Filter data using several fields or queries  Create reports using sort and/or filter functions to analyze data (using calculations)  Organize & summarize scientific & business data (including calculations)

6. 2/10/09Using Databases in the Curriculum6 VIEW the database as a... Form –view all data on one record (everything about Endangered Species of Pennsylvania, for example) Form –view all data on one record (everything about Endangered Species of Pennsylvania, 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. 2/10/09Using Databases in the Curriculum7 L i s t V i e w

8. 2/10/09Using Databases in the Curriculum8 Form View

9. 2/10/09Using Databases in the Curriculum9  Organize or categorize information  Summarize what they have read  Determine important facts  Produce an esthetically pleasing form  Develop a skill that is used in the business & scientific world When students create or use a database they learn to…

10. 2/10/09Using Databases in the Curriculum10 Sorting & Filtering databases teaches students to…  Find important clues  Develop & use problem-solving skills  Understand that different people organize things in different ways  Type with accuracy  Understand how a computer works

11. 2/10/09Using Databases in the Curriculum11 Troubleshooting Errors in Using Filters What if you get no answer or all records as an answer? 1. Did you read the specialized directions that exist for that question? 2. Make sure you are entering data in the criteria box in the correct field. 3. Check spelling and use only the simplest form of the word (singular nouns, for example. 4. Did you use asterisks (*) around the clue word in a text or memo field Example of correct usage: *PA* The database adds like “*PA*” 7. If you got the message “The Expression you entered has an invalid string… you probably erased one of the quotation marks put in automatically by the database. 8. You may have criteria filled in for fields that do not show on the screen. Use the scroll bar to check all columns in the filter. 9. Always search twice and check with 2 other students. The correct answer may be zero.

12. 2/10/09Using Databases in the Curriculum12 The curriculum-based databases I will use next were created in Microsoft Access. I will be using the advanced filter function to demonstrate activities you can do with students. These databases are some of the 16 databases included in my recent book Database Magic, an ISTE publication