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Databases

4.2 - Data and Information Literacy

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Intro

Databases are really easy to learn and teach, especially with the advent of software such as 2Question and 2Information on Purple Mash and J2Data on J2E.

In Year 5, pupils will be moving on from branching databases and concentrating on building their own full databases from scratch. (It's therefore vital that they have experience of the Years 3 and 4 activities).

Framework

4.2 - Data and Information Literacy

  • Explore and analyse data sets, highlighting relationships within them.

Skill by Skill

Database

  • Collect, prepare and create a database. Begin to understand the different field types.
  • Ensure accuracy of entry, edit mistakes.
  • Perform a specified search on a larger database they have created.
  • Begin to sort records.

(EAS ICT Skills Framework)

 

Vocabulary

record     fields     sort     accurate

Activity 1

A Database from Scratch

create database

Pupils will be used to full databases from their work in years 3 and 4, having answered questions about them and then added, removed and edited records within them. In Year 5, pupils create a whole database themselves.

Prepare:

  • Ensure that the pupils have login accounts for a database software (Purple Mash or J2Data)
  • Familiarise yourself with the software by following the video guide below to create your own database.
Purple Mash - Create Database

Copy link to share with students

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KXgXQQm3k-4

Share Video
J2Data - Create Database

Copy the link to share with pupils

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uUlvpHaaomM

Share Video

Activity Tasks:

  1. Remind pupils what a full database looks like. Point out that it contains ‘records’, which are items or objects or individuals to be analysed in the database. and that each record is composed of ‘fields’ , which contain the information about the records. All records in a database share certain characteristics which are noted  in the fields.
  2. Explain that when you create a database, the most important decision is which fields to include. For example, a database about rivers should include fields that record the length of the rivers, their source country, the continent through which they run, etc.
  3. Show them how to create a new database, adding some simple text and number fields. (There is no need for multiple choice fields at this age level).
  4. Ask the pupils to create a database on your topic (i.e. rivers in this example).
  5. Once created, they should add a few records to it (e.g. add three or four well known rivers and their information).

Remember

  • If your school hasn't adopted Purple Mash or J2E yet, it's about time it did. J2E is free through Hwb whilst Purple Mash can be obtained with a paid subscription. Bring this up with your Technology Leader or Head as soon as possible!
  • It's possible that you do not have enough devices for every pupil in the class to have one each. Resist the urge to share computers. That's not what this element is about. Have one group work at a time if devices are limited.

Success Criteria

  • I can build a database and add records to it.

Other Framework Elements

2.3 - Storing and Sharing

Using either Purple Mash or J2E is always an opportunity to learn how to save to specific locations using appropriate filenames.

3.3 - Evaluating and Improving

Your usual peer-assessment and/or self-assessment.

Vocabulary

records     fields     text     numerical

Variation Ideas

You can change 'rivers' to any other topic that can be easily grouped (animals, countries, even Pokemon!).