Chapter 9 - Shayd Speed, Claire Stephan, Jaime Speer

Relational
Databases

Components
Advantages & & Modeling with
Limitations of Tools Databases
Database Modeling
 Chapter 9 - Shayd Speed, Claire Stephan, Jaime Speer

Database Management Systems: Components and Tools

Database management systems consist of the database, a file management system,

database organization tools, and reporting functions. Every database consists of
one or more files, each of which contains data in the form of collections of records
that are related to a content domain, event, or set of objects. Each record in the
database is divided into fields that describe the type of information that it
contains. The same type of information for each record is stored in a field. The
content and arrangement of each field are standardized within the records, which
Evaluating Databases
enables the computer to locate a particular kind of information quickly.
for Modeling

Database tools enable the user to organize and reorganize information to answer
queries. The main database tools are searching, sorting, and retrieving data. You
can create a file for each student’s schedule in a school. You can use the
capabilities in a database management system to reflect a schedule change to
another class period or class.

Organization tools provide an important function in database management systems.

The search tool allows you to find specific information. For example, you can
search through a schools database to find what class a particular student is in
during a teacher conference period to give them make- up work from when they
were absent.

Another search feature is the NOT function. Searching a school’s database using
the NOT function to find every student in the school not named Jones would show
every record in the database except those with the last name Jones. You can also
use the SORT function to rearrange data in ascending or descending order
according to the fields. For example, you could sort by last names in ascending
order to give you an alphabetized list of students in a particular grade or class.

Database management systems give you an organized way to store data. They allow
you to locate and sort information to help you answer questions about that
information.

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 Chapter 9 - Shayd Speed, Claire Stephan, Jaime Speer

Relational Databases

In the past few years, database systems have become much more powerful and
flexible. Most have become more relational. A relational database is a collection of
relations or tables of different sizes and organization that are interconnected in
some way similar to a network. Information contained on different files can be
interrelated through key relationships.

Relational databases allow for more sophisticated organization and queries. They
enable users to combine, compare, contrast or interrelate data in many tables. This
is in comparison to former databases that were flat files in which the data model
could not be changed after the model was identified.
 Chapter 9 - Shayd Speed, Claire Stephan, Jaime Speer
Modeling with Databases

Logic Behind Databases as

Database How do students
Mindtools
Creation create a
database?

Logic behind Database Creation

Databases help students relate ideas to each other and develop compare-contrast thinking.
Putting information into matrices can foster a variety of problem solving skills.

How do students create a database? Home

 Determine what fields are necessary.

 Determine how large the fields should be.
 Determine what connections are important between the information.
 How the complete database should be modeled.

Databases as Mindtools
The modeling aspect of database construction is based upon students determining the
relationship between the content. Creating and modeling a database is about relating
information rather than memorizing it. Jonassen states several examples of when databases
have been used as mindtools: classification of seashells, in the achievement of objectives, and
as inquiry tools.

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 Chapter 9 - Shayd Speed, Claire Stephan, Jaime Speer
Evaluating Databases for Modeling
1. Students Query a
completed database
Students should question a
completed database in order to
familiarize themselves with
databases and allow the teacher to
coach the students through the
process
4. Students adapt existing data
structure or design new data
structures for other students to
complete.
Students learn organizational
techniques used to create
databases. Use familiar content to
create one as a class.
7. Students extrapolate from
databases.
Students will create new fields from
existing databases.
Coaching Modeling
with Databases
3. Students make a plan.
2. Students complete existing data Students develop a plan for their
structures. database. They determine what
information they will use and how
Students fill in the blanks of a
they will achieve the goals they set
partially completed database. This
out for themselves.
allows them to start to determine
important information.
6. Students write queries for other
5. Students create and complete students.
data structures.
Requiring students to write queries
Now students use classroom for other students helps students
content to create a more complex see the relationship between the
database. The various models information provided.
developed should be edited by the
class.
8. Students reflect on the activity.
Students should reflect upon their
project throughout its creation. It
should be a process that involves
reflection about others projects as
well.
 Chapter 9 - Shayd Speed, Claire Stephan, Jaime Speer

Advantages and limitations of using Data Base Modeling

Advantages
 Database creating/manipulating is constructive, It actively mentally engages
learners.
 Learners are actively building knowledge structures, Knowledge
representation activities allow students to define nature of relationship
between concepts and use compare/contrast thinking.
 Learners are exposed to compare/contrast relationships which are aided by
the speed of the DBMS.
 Learners can search DB in number of ways, using cells.
 Learners can re-arrange info in self-relevant ways.
 Learners have the ease of automated data entry.
 Students can compare their individual databases with other students' or
they can collaborate to design databases together.

Disadvantages
 Some argue that databases pretty much do the same thing as a textbook
summary.
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 There is a possibility for student confusion
 Learners must have at least a pre-existing cursory knowledge of their subject
and comprehension of their subject information to manufacture a database.

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