Database Design

A database is a the storage of information which use forms and reports
Forms - used to imput information in dadtbase
Report- to give you clear concise legible information. reports are the way that information is presented it need to have information that the end useer will want to see or know.  It should be clear, the layout can be changed to make the layout clearer. 

Data Types - students are to identify outputs in a database.

• primary sources are forms filled out from jobs and transactions
• secondary- information people have put into a format and given to you which are not as reliable

imput devices barcodes and scanners. createing quires
data base calculations work automatically and can draw conclutions from the information that has been entered into the database.

Teachers could give students a task such as create a database for a fruit shop.  You could get them to concider the different issues, users and ethical factors that they would come across in the database.
They could  create a simple database with this information. 

Expert systems simulates knowledge this is like when you forget your password ait may ask you a few security questions.

The games below are good as Database Design can often be seen as a dry subject but games can be a great tool in livening up this topic!

Database Game!


In the presentation by our peers they displayed a short game that could be used to show the effectiveness of database systems.  there were 2 decks of cards.  One deck was laid out in order in piles of suits. The Second pile had just been shuffled.  The presenters then chose two people from the class.  The presenters then called out a card and the volunteers had to try and find the cards from thier card piles.

Image from http://www.systemsplanning.com/arlis.htm


On-line Database Games!
Click here for website This website it a good resource and has a list of games that can be played with students which aid their learning on the topic of Databases.  I recommend the maze games which is similar to a PAC man game except when you get hit with the smiley face monsters you have to answer the question relating to databases and if you get it wrong you have to answer other questions till you get a question correct then  you are allowed to play.
The game Dunkin' Teacher is also good - students answer database database questions correct the teacher is pushed closer to the cauldron (to be pushed in finally!) if they get the answer wrong the teacher is pushed away from the cauldron.