DATABASES Southern Region CEO Wednesday 13 th October 2010

WHAT IS A DATABASE? As scientists we gather and record information not only for our own use but also for others to access and use. Our society is described as an information society. By 2015 it is predicted that the knowledge of the world will double every 76 days What are some of the ways we store information and how it is accessed for us to use? Write down a few ways we store and access information...

DEFINITION OF A DATABASE “A database is a collection of information which is related and which can be organised and manipulated.” (Science and technology K-6 pg 220)

INTRODUCTION TO DATABASES Define the following terms relating to the database in your own words: Record Field Data File A record is the information in the fields relating to one article. (one row of the table or one page of the form) A database consists of a number of fields that contain the individual pieces of data. (eg for library catalogue, author, title, etc...) The information within a field A file stores all the records for related information

Other definitions: Each table of the database is a group of fields. (like headings in excel spreadsheet) When creating a table, you also determine the characteristics of each field in the table. (ie. Whether it will contain text, a picture or a list of words) Forms are for entering data into or viewing the fields of a table associated with the form. Note query and report not covered here.

EVERYDAY EXAMPLES OF DATABASES A cell phone has an electronic database of names and numbers as does the address book in your program. A video store keeps a database of all the videos and another for all the customers. Most companies keep track of all payments to their employees medical aid, pension fund, unemployment insurance fund and also to do salary transfers. Your school also keeps a record of all your details and marks in a database.

COMPUTING SKILLS TEST Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) have been integrated within the outcomes and content of the revised Years 7–10 syllabuses. A mapping of the ICT statements from the mandatory syllabuses is available on the Board’s website. Questions in the Computing Skills test will be drawn from these ICT statements. The ICT skills that will be tested in the School Certificate Computing Skills test have been grouped into five skill areas: Computer operations Word-processing Spreadsheets and databases Graphics and multimedia Internet and

LINKS TO BOS SYLLABUSES 7-10 Syllabus 4/5.16gathering information from secondary sources a)use a range of sources, including databases, CD-ROMs and the internet, to access information 4/5.17processing information d) organise data using a variety of methods including diagrams, tables, spreadsheets and databases 4/5.18presenting information e) use drawings, diagrams, graphs, tables, databases, spreadsheets and flow charts to show relationships and present information clearly and/or succinctly

AUSTRALIAN CURRICULUM Information and communication technologies (ICT) are relevant to the teaching and learning in a large part of the Australian Curriculum: Science. This will include the use of the internet to research science concepts and applications as well as the use of digital learning objects such as animations and simulations to enhance students’ understanding and engagement in science. The use of the internet and local networks will facilitate a collaborative approach among students that models the methods of modern science. In practical investigations, ICT will aid students in tasks such as data collection and analysis through probeware, data logging and the use of spreadsheets. This enables students to use and analyse results efficiently, allowing for the development of valid conclusions, and also allows access to other potential areas for investigation. Simulations and modelling using ICT provide students with opportunities to test predictions which cannot be investigated through practical experiments in the classroom. ICT offers opportunities to provide a range of media for the communication and sharing of students’ ideas and understandings both within and beyond the classroom.

AUSTRALIAN CURRICULUM Observing and measuring – (spreadsheets) Collect and record data, making observations and measurements with accuracy appropriate to the task, using ICT where appropriate Analysing results – (spreadsheets) Construct and use tables and graphs to represent and analyse data, including using ICT Observing and measuring – (dataloggers) Collect data in a consistent, efficient, and ethical manner, including methods that use ICT Analysing results – (spreadsheets) Represent and analyse data appropriately including using simple statistical methods and ICT

DEMONSTRATE BASIC DATABASE SKILLS TO CREATE, WORK WITH AND MODIFY FILES From core Computing skills 2003 Board of Studies Indicators Identify basic database terminology (fields, records, files) Use basic search techniques to find information in an existing database Sort information according to desired criteria Add and delete records to an existing database Present data in form and list views Create a simple (flat file) database

COMPUTING SCHOOL CERTIFICATE Teachers complete a sample Computing Skills Test from BOS ARC Untick all but ‘spreadsheets and databases’ choose 20 questions click continue.

ICTINSCIENCE.WIKISPACES.COM

DOWNLOAD YEAR 10 DATABASE TO LAPTOP 1.Log into internet and open ictinscience.wikispaces.com 2.Click on DatabasesYr10 on left 3.Right click on cars.odb and save to your computer in mydocuments

DIFFERENTIATED SELF-DIRECTED LEARNING Teachers new to data bases: i)Work through Year 7 science dictionary to add terms OR work through Year 8 Worksheet on atom ii)Complete the Year 10 worksheet iii)Start developing applications for their own teaching Experienced users of databases: i)Complete the Year 10 worksheet ii)Teachers spend time investigating the resources available on the website iii)Start developing applications for their own teaching