Teacher guide

The differences between a filing system and a computer based system
A database can be used to store a lot of information.
A database can be used to find information quickly.
Searches can be done on any field
A database can be used to sort data.
A database is used by most organisations (e.g. schools, police, ordering systems, supermarkets, offices etc)
To get a database to find information you need to create queries.
Manual methods of data collection, data preparation and input.
The methods of error detection and accuracy of data (double checking).

What do I want the pupils to be able to do:

Collect data from other students in the class

Load Excel

Enter text and numerical data into the pre-prepared spreadsheet.

Load Access

Enter text into the pre-prepared database form.

Amend, delete and append data in the database.

Sort data into alphabetical order.

Interrogate the database using queries

Use query results to produce findings.

Use findings to make recommendations in context.

DIFFERENTIATION
MUST	SHOULD	COULD
They collect data from different sources and complete a visual analysis of data. Prepare information for inputting	Data collected is appropriate to their needs. Present information in a pre-prepared structure.	Combine data from a range of ICT-based sources. Complete an analysis of the data and complete a computer-based system to display results.
TARGET LEVEL	TARGET LEVEL	TARGET LEVEL
4	5	6

TEACHING METHODOLOGIES

Class discussion

Demonstrations

Practical use of computers.

HOW IS THE UNIT TO BE ASSESSED?

Students to be assessed on report.

RESOURCES

Worksheets – TASDH8a, Magazine Grid

Files on network - Magazine.xls, Magazine.mdb

SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE NEEDED AT BEGINNING OF UNIT

How to load software and open a file. Students should be able to collect data, enter information into the cells and change layout of spreadsheet to print. Students can also word process documents, save, spell check, amend and add to documents.

LESSON
1	Introduce the assignment What is a database? Students are given task sheet and read through the situation as a class. Explain that they must try to attempt all the stages of the task. Students to make notes in exercise books during this discussion to help with the introduction.
2	Short recap of assignment. Explain that students are to type their introduction in Word (around 1/3 of an A4 side, size 12). They are then to start collecting data, from all class members, to go onto the Magazine grid.
3	Students continue collecting data.
4	Explain to students how they copy a file from the shared area into My Work. Explain why work is saved like this and why they have to copy work into their own area. Students start to type data into the Excel spreadsheet.
5	Students continue with work.
6	Explain to students how they can change the layout of the page to print on as few pages as possible. Students finish typing data and print.
7	Recap how to copy a file to My Work. Give demonstration of using the database (opening it, looking at the table design and how to get to type in the form) Students given hand written, difficult to read, magazine answer sheets to type into Access (to show results should be written in Block Capitals, have closed end questions or set answers.) Students copy data from the excel sheet into Access.
8	Students continue with work.
9	Students should be finishing typing information and printing their tables. Students should be writing the paragraph about how they entered their data.
10	Give a demonstration of how to create queries. Students to create their own queries.
11	Students to print the designs and results of the queries.
12	Students are to analyse the results of their queries and start writing up their findings. Students start to type their conclusion listing recommendations for the research company.
13	Students continue with their conclusion and read through all their work checking for errors.
14	Students to collate work, make any amendments and hand in assignment.