1. Databases PGCE Primary School of Education University of Southampton

2. Databases  A database is a collection of data, with common features – eg telephone directory  Two main characteristics, being fields and records data fields define the kind of informationdata fields define the kind of information Records are distinct sets of informationRecords are distinct sets of information  Electronic databases have distinct advantages over paper based databases, being…

3. Power of electronic databases  The ability to add and edit records and data quickly  The ability to sort records by any field  The ability to select specific kinds of records  The ability to turn opaque data into understandable and useful information very quickly

4. 4 records sorted by name name Address 1 Address 2 mobile mobile Anderson, J 32 Winton Road Doncaster07955678553 Biggs, A 3 Acacia Close, Swathling07928374651 Cratchett, D 32 Wheatlands Park Gate 07988776658 Davidson, P 43 London Road Southampton07933556672 Four fields - name, street, town and mobile 4 of 20 records sorted by name, Anderson through to Davidson

5. 4 records sorted by town namestreettown mobile mobile Anderson, C 32 Winton Road Doncaster07955678553 Felington, P 327 Duke Lanes Effington07965476658 Davids, R 63 Kings Street Kingston07939352972 King, A 32 The Row London07928676772 Four fields - name, street, town and mobile 4 of 20 records sorted by town, Doncaster through London

6. Selection of Southampton Records namestreettown mobile mobile Davidson, P 43 London Road Southampton07933556672 Levin, S 63 Test Road Southampton07932176658 Unwin, P 34 The Avenue Southampton07977668431 Four fields - name, street, town and mobile Only the three Southampton records have been selected. They are sorted by name. Nested sorts are possible.

7. Examples of Databases  Electronic directories Email address book, browser history…Email address book, browser history…  Government data National Insurance register, passport register, drivers licence register…National Insurance register, passport register, drivers licence register…  Student database of SU  Search Engine results  Web crawlers, collecting email addresses and info re websites viewed

8. Children using databases  Collections such as MusicMusic  Music Match, mp3 players StampsStamps Directory of numbers on mobile telephones, handheld computers etcDirectory of numbers on mobile telephones, handheld computers etc Search engine resultsSearch engine results

9. Database Software  Flat, one dimensional such as Pinpoint, Rapidfile See one set of data at a timeSee one set of data at a time Simple and easy to useSimple and easy to use  Relational database like Access and other specialist software Linked data from a number of datasetsLinked data from a number of datasets  Eg – Govt registers linking tax, national insurance, passport, driving licence and other data

10. Making sense of opaque data  Shells database What does this data mean?What does this data mean? Can we turn it into useful information that we can make sense of?Can we turn it into useful information that we can make sense of? How?How?  Albany Graveyard Database What sense can we make of this data? What questions can we ask of the date to make sense of it?What sense can we make of this data? What questions can we ask of the date to make sense of it?

11. Albany graveyard Database Field work and data query of Albany graveyard data by schools in the Albany area of the Eastern Cape, SA

12. Issues to consider…  DB’s powerful, but can be abused by compilers  What info requested, and what for?  Cost to the provider of data that can be ‘used’ against them Papertrails, unsolicited mail, scams, popups, spam…Papertrails, unsolicited mail, scams, popups, spam…  Privacy of information issues…  1984, 666…