M2-3+Databases+Investigate

toc =** Introduction: Whodunnit?? **= This website has a fun example of a database. Here these are a list of criminals and their characteristics and you use these to solve the cases by reading the clues from the evidence and searching the criminals using the database. Try the 'Practice' then attempt 5 or 10 cases, can you solve them all? How effective is the database? Write a reflection about using the program on your new wiki page.

=** Databases – when are the used? **= List your ideas here for the databases you have seen or used, add URLs if you have them so others can look at your examples. media type="custom" key="12392540" media type="youtube" key="Xg-nXfvnMq4" height="315" width="560" // Here is an example of how a database is being used to help people who have difficulty communicating. //

List your ideas here for the databases you now want to make. Next to your idea write why you think it will make a good database (the purpose). Then comment on other students ideas, add suggestions or questions to help them develop their ideas. media type="custom" key="12392566"

=** Database Research **= Once you have decided on a focus for your database think of the information you need to gather to complete it fully. Perhaps you need to find information from people, books or the internet. Here is a mini-website with information about databases.

** Questionnaire / Survey / Interview **
If you need to create a questionnaire or survey. Show me and then when it is approved ask your target audience.

=** Database - how to? **= Use these tutorials to explore making and using databases. Here is a detailed list of all the things you might need to do in access, listed under sub-headings eg: starting off, quick toolbar for Microsoft Office 2003 and 2007. There may be some differences with the information if you use a Mac.

** Sources **
As you complete your research, make sure you record your sources correctly.



=** Overview **= Write a paragraph to summarise:
 * 1) what product you will create
 * 2) why you will create it
 * 3) who it is aimed at

For example a good overview (design brief) might look like this:

"Teenagers have very busy lives. School, family and social activities mean that being punctual is very important.

I will design and make a wall clock that will be appealing for teenage girls. It will be a modern design and will be suitable for a teenage girl's bedroom. Because the design will appeal to teenage girls, them they will be more likely to look at it, read the time and therefore not be late.

 // Taken from http//:myp-tech.wikispaces.com //

=** Posing the Problem **= Complete the ‘posing the problem’ form. You need to explain why the database is a relevant problem, who are the stakeholders.

=** Design Specification **= Once you have completed your research, use what you have found and the information from the context and challenge or write your design specification.

=** Assessment Criteria **= Here are the assessment criteria for this unit, if you download the file you will be able to tick off each example to see if you have done it.