William P. Breitsprecher

Contact:  webmaster@clubtnt.org

Database Basics.  Here is a piece I wrote to introduce databases to a 9th grade computer class.

Database Management Systems.  Reading technical information is an important skill.  I try to write my lessons to incorporate business/technical style writing.  This activity reviews and assesses students' understanding of basic database concepts and introduces relational databases.

Assessing Access.  I created this handout to review what MS Access is, what it is designed to do, and how it is structured. 

Database Double Bubble.  This handout guides students to compare and contrast databases with spreadsheets.  

Database Planning.  Proper planning prevents poor performance.  This handout explains the basics of structuring a database.

Design View.  MS Access uses a variety of "objects" to view and manipulate data.  I wrote this handout to get students started with Design view.

Queries.  The power of a database comes from its ability to easily retrieve information you need.  This piece introduces queries.

Reports.  Summarizing and presenting information with Access is a breeze with the Report feature.

VALS Score.  This activity introduces students to the Values, Attitudes, and Lifestyles Survey which is widely used in marketing.  I use this project to start students thinking about how data is used in business.

Star Search.  Let's make database software fun by incorporating the World-Wide-Web to locate mailing addresses for celebrities and creating a mail merge for a talent agency.

State Line Bowling Classics.  I created this project to review the basic functions of Access and assess student readiness for a production test.  Students create a portfolio to demonstrate their ability to apply this software to solve an authentic business problem.

Milwaukee Sausage.  The previous 2 projects were based on simple, "flat" databases.  MS Access is designed to be a "relational" database.  This authentic project illustrates how databases are used in the "real world."  I have only included the first 3 pages of this project.  Contact me if you want to see the rest.

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