banner

computer

 

Database Project

If you live in Indiana, you've probably heard of INSPIRE, the Indiana Virtual Library that is a service of INCOLSA. Read the INSPIRE FAQs.

This web-based virtual library resource contains a wide range of web-based materials including electronic databases. The people at INSPIRE are expanding their INSPIRE Clearinghouse page that contains teaching and learning materials related to the virtual library. Our class has been asked to create some materials for this area. We will be focusing on resources to help children and young adults use electronic databases. The best projects will be submitted to INSPIRE.

If you're not from Indiana or don't have access to the INSPIRE databases, fear not! You can use any database you wish. You can even use a database-driven website (Check with your instructor if you wish to use a website rather than a subscription database).

Check out a few example projects:

Select a Database

Select an electronic database for your project. Go to the INSPIRE Database Information page for a list of options.

Most of the databases would be appropriate for high school students. However, if you're looking for elementary/middle school age users consider:

Go to the INSPIRE Login to enter the databases.

If you aren't able to access the databases through your library, school, or home computer, try locating the databases at IUPUI using your university account. Go to the Database list. Choose a database or go to INSPIRE. Then, enter your university login and password.

You are NOT required to use a database provided by INSPIRE. Feel free to use other subscription databases available through schools or libraries. For example, you might choose to use Opposing Views or Student Resource Center from Tomson Gale and Infotrac which is popular in high schools. These are available through the IUPUI databases.

If you select an electronic database not available through INSPIRE or IUPUI, have your choice approved by your instructor. It must be an electronic database (not just a website) appropriate for children and young adults.

Share a Database Selection with Cohort Group

BEFORE you begin work with this database, share your choice in your cohort group. If you find that someone else has already selected your database of interest, try focusing on a particular aspect of this database. For example, you might just work with the 7000 portraits in the Biography Resource Center. Or, you might concentrate on the poems within the Lit Finder. Or, focus on a particular subject area.

Database Guide Elements

Use the following guidelines in developing your project. Your database guide must include step-by-step instructions for using the database, sample searches, suggested uses, and a sample project. If possible, include screen-captured graphics in your directions. If you've never written instructions before, be sure to review the following resources for help:

Database Overview

Your database guide should include an introduction that provides an overview of the database, it's intended purpose(s), and the user's need for this electronic material. Be sure to include the name of the company (distributor), name of the database, and the URL to access this resource. Describe its key features, strengths and weaknesses, how it would be used, and who would make use of it (age and/or grade levels).

You must include your name and the project creation date. Your professional affliliation and email address are optional.

Step-by-Step Tutorial

A tutorial is more than just directions for use; it includes carefully presented information, examples and nonexamples, practice, and help identifying potential problems.

Create step-by-step instructions for using this database. The instructions should be written for a specific audience of children or young adults - - NOT for an adult audience. In other words, do not use the phrases such as "the student will . . ."; instead use wording such as "click on the...". These tutorials should be self-instructional so that no adult supervision would be needed to learn to use the database.

Provide multiple examples and sample searches. Include sample scenarios that might be encountered by users. Also, discuss search strategies and ideas for troubleshooting. Provide practice searches and results. Also include ideas for taking notes from the database, citing articles from the database, and copying and citing visuals from databases

Your tutorial should be written in an easy-to-read language with a simple-to-follow format (i.e., numbers, bullets, headings). Be sure to include visuals such as screen captured illustrations, directional arrows, and other graphics that help users see steps in the procedure.

Your tutorial must be formatted in a way that is ready for your patrons to use. Be sure that it looks professional!

Database Application Activity

In ADDITION to your step-by-step instructions, you must create a specific database assignment or program. Your database application activity must integrate the resource into a specific young patron inquiry or meaningful student project (or series of activities). The assignment SHOULD NOT focus on simply "searching" the database to address reference questions or "do a report". Instead, it should help children or young adults address an issue, answer essential questions, or solve a problem. In other words, it might be associated with a theme such as "heroes," a promotion such as "think globally, act locally," a book connection such as "To Kill a Mockingbird and the Civil Rights Movement," a local cultural event such as a "teen poetry slam," or other meaningful project.

Your activity should be aimed at children or young adults and make use of an electronic database.

Incorporate BOTH of the following elements:

Applications and Ideas

IN ADDITION to your activity above, your project must include suggestions for how this database might be used with children and young adults BEYOND the activity you suggest above. Since some databases are huge, feel free to focus on a particular age of user, subject area, or resource area within the database.

Be sure to provide sample content from the database.
Be sure to provide sample promotional or instructional materials such as fliers, display ideas, assignment handouts, citation directions.

Some ideas are listed below:

Submission

Keep in mind that your project should be written for the global audience, NOT just for your instructor. Your step-by-step instructions should be addressed to children and young adults NOT adults. Save your document(s) in one or more formats such as web page, Microsoft Word, Microsoft PowerPoint, and/or Adobe PDF file.

DO NOT save them as Microsoft Publisher or Word Perfect documents many people do not have this software. If you use these programs, you MUST export as a PDF file.

Your project can be submitted two ways.

Option 1: Save the document as a web page(s) such as GooglePages or a Word document(s) and upload it to a web server or Oncourse workspace.

Option 2: Save the document in Microsoft Word and/or PowerPoint WITH SPEAKER NOTES. If graphics are included, they must be copyright-free, website screen dumps, or product covers only.

When your project is ready to grade, go to Oncourse and post a message in your Cohort group. Be sure to double check your web link or uploaded document to be sure it works!

Evaluation

Points will be awarded based on a checklist for this project.

Proceed to Product 3 - WebQuest

Proceed to the Evaluation

| Course Materials | Introduction | Task | Process | Product | Evaluation | Conclusion | Shake 'Em Up |
| eduscapes | IUPUI Online Courses | Teacher Tap | 42explore | escrapbooking | About Us | Contact Us | © 2006-2008 Annette Lamb and Larry Johnson