Database Design

Database Design

 

Image Available from http://visionaround.com/Service4.php

This week's in class presentation was on database
design. Several interesting points stood out for me, as presented by Ryan and Sarah.

One of them was a way to practically show students using two decks of cards, how a database functions.



One volunteer had the whole deck, the other had separated the cards of a deck into their groups, such as hearts and spades. Ryan then told both students to look for the 7 of hearts, naturally the one who had separated the cards into groups found it first. That is the essence of a database.

The following video outlines and consolidates many features of database:

 

Video available from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mv4J3Zfz95Q&feature=fvwrel

Potentially it is dangerous as prospective teachers to get into the trap of teaching database design in a boring way that does not engage your students. This image is a classic:

Image available from http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms188251.aspx

This is why Sarah and Ryan's image of a database was concrete and simple to understand, because it broke down what can be very complex to it's most basic form. The challenge when using Microsoft Access and Excel which are usually available in every classroom is to use them to make learning fun and applicable to students. Another way to explain this would be to use iTunes, a tool that most of the students in any of your classes could relate to:

Image available from http://www.mactricksandtips.com/2008/08/99-speed-tips-for-a-quick-high-performance-mac.html

The challenge is to teach in an interesting and engaging manner, NOT like this:

Video available from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ed18Zh2Fsbg