Microsoft Access Lesson Plan- Students

AS: How can we track your Type to Learn 3 progress?

Objectives: Students will use Microsoft Access to create a database to track their weekly keyboarding progress

Subject: Technology, Databases

Activities:

Creating the database:
Students will launch Microsoft Access from the Start Menu
Students will name their database so it can be easily identified as their own
Students will protect their database by assigning it a password
Students will define Date, Lesson, Homework, Accuracy, and WPM fields, then create and save a table from the Design View
Students will enter their current keyboarding data into their progress table

Adding a new table:
After the first Type to Learn Assessment, students will create a new database called TTL-A Results
Students will include the following fields in TTL-A Results:
Date
Accuracy
WPM
Students will enter their current assessment results into this table

Updating the database:
Students will open their Keyboarding Progress database to update their weekly progress table
Students will update their assessment results monthly

Closure:

Differentiation: Analyzing the database:
Students will export the data from the progress table and/or their assessment results table into Excel
Students will create a graph of their keyboarding lesson progress, homework completion and assessment results over time

Vocabulary: Database, record, field, query

Materials: Microsoft Access, handwritten keyboarding progress, assessment results

Evaluation: Teacher Observation

Standards:

TEC.K-4.8.1 - All students will use computer applications to gather and organize information and to solve problems.
TEC.K-4.8.1.4 A - Basic Computer Tools and Skills
TEC.K-4.8.1.4 A.1 - Use basic technology vocabulary.
TEC.K-4.8.1.4 A.3 - Input and access text and data, using appropriate keyboarding techniques or other input devices.
TEC.K-4.8.1.4 A.5 - Produce and interpret a simple graph or chart by entering and editing data on a prepared spreadsheet template.
TEC.K-4.8.1.4 A.7 - Create and maintain files and folders.
TEC.K-4.8.1.4 A.9 - Use basic computer icons.
TEC.K-4.8.1.4 B - Application of Productivity Tools
TEC.K-4. - Social Aspects
TEC.K-4.8.1.4 B.2.d - Personal security and safety issues
TEC.K-4. - Information Access and Research
TEC.K-4.8.1.4 B.7 - Locate specific information by searching a database.
TEC.K-4.8.1.4 B.8 - Recognize accuracy and/or bias of information.
TEC.K-4. - Problem Solving
TEC.K-4.8.1.4 B.9 - Solve problems individually and/or collaboratively using computer applications.

Journal of Course Experiences- Database Project

I intend to use Access to manage my cheerleading program. We collect a TON of paperwork each season for each participant. We need to keep track of the paperwork collected, plus be able to access the contact information, plus other information gathered at any given time. I have been tracking all this information with Excel, while effective, I know in the back of my mind, is not most efficient.

The hardest part of creating a database is deciding how it should be structured. What tables do you need to hold information? How can or will the tables be related?

Of course, I am discovering that I am my greatest distraction in getting this assignment done. It was challenging to come up with a third table for the assignment, and now that I have, I'm making queries, and attempting calculations.

I am quickly realizing that a database is a work in progress and constantly evolving.

Journal of Course Experiences- Project 2

I'm working like crazy to complete this course by my district's deadline for reimbursement. Back to work, with hopefully no distractions. Must...finish...this...weekend...

Omitting Duplicates

Display the query's property sheet to omit duplicates. With no fields selected, click the Properties button in the toolbar. Choose Yes from the Unique Values property.

Parameter Query

A parameter query prompts the user for input whenever it is run, rather than specifying a criterion within the query design.

- Clear all criteria from the query design

- Type a value within brackets in the Criteria field, making sure that it does not match the name fields in the table. Using the same name as another field in the table will not prompt the user for input.

Top-Values Query

Allows the user the show only a specified number of records rather than all records in a query.

- Click Top Values box on toolbar

- Specify number or percentage of records to show

Calculations

Calculations are not just for Excel! They can be performed in Access queries as well. A calculated field is used to calculate values from other fields.

- Enter a name for the calculated field followed by a colon, then the expression in one of the columns in the Field row

- Use the Zoom... command to view the entire expression

- Use brackets around each field name

Calculating Statistics

Statistics in Access are functions like COUNT, SUM, AVG, MAX, MIN, STDEV, VAR, FIRST, and LAST. They are considered aggregate functions, a function that performs some mathematical function against a group of records.

- Include the Total row in the design grid by clicking the Totals button (Sigma) on the toolbar

- Choose the desired statistic from the drop down menu

Crosstab Queries

Crosstab queries are used for summarizing data by calculating a statistic for data that is grouped by two different types of information.

- Choose Crosstab Query Wizard from New Query dialog box

- Select field for row headings

- Select field for column headings

- Select Statistic for calculations

- Run the

Joining tables is used to find records in two tables that have identical values in matching fields. With one of the tables you'd like to include in the query, click the new object button and choose query. Open the new query in design view. Add another table to the query by clicking the show table button, and choose another table from the dialog box. Expand all the fields to view everything. When both tables are in the work space, you can see the line joining the tables at the matching fields.

Drag the desired fields into the grid. Run the query. Results will show records in which the matching field appears in both tables. Records that do not match the query do not show up.

The join property are properties that indicate which records appear in a join; right click the join line and choose properties to change.

If you don't want to include all the possible records in a query, include criteria.

Calculations can be performed in queries. Simple calculations can be made, plus there is an expression builder available.

Wordle

Thanks to Penny Iannella for sharing this fun site. Wordle is an online tool for making "word clouds" from text that you input. Simply click on the Create your own link to start...

You can create a word cloud by inputting your own text, importing from a URL, or entering a delicious.com username

From Screen Captures

Use the menus at the top of the screen to customize your word cloud, or click on the randomize button for some real fun!

A wordle of Cedar Hill Tech Tips:

From Screen Captures

Here's a word cloud of my delicious tags:

From Screen Captures

http://www.wordle.net

Enjoy! :)

Journal of Course Experiences- Project 1

So I've just completed the assignments for Project 1 in MS Access- Exploring Databases. Access is a database management system, which allows you to "create a database; add, change, and delete data in the database; sort the data in the database; retrieve data in the database; and create forms and reports using the data in the database." (Shelly Cashman).

I've created several simple databases from the design view and entered data for each. The assignments covered creating forms, running queries and designing reports. I think I have a pretty solid handle on the basics and am ready to take on more.

Journal of Course Experiences

I've enrolled in my third Fresno Pacific course last week to earn my +30 credits towards advancing on the salary guide. The jury is still out on how thrilled I am with the format of the courses at this point. It seems like the philosophy of "online learning" at Fresno is more like independent study. Don't get me wrong, Fresno Pacific Professional Development courses are an excellent alternative to enrolling in a degree program. I am about to begin MS Access- Exploring Databases with a new set of instructors. One of the requirements, which I think I'm grateful for is keeping a Journal of Course Experiences while completing the assignments. I love (rolling eyes of sarcasm) keeping journals, but I guess it is better than having to submit a response online (which my husband is a huge fan of). Anyway, here it is, day 1 of course experiences. I am surprised that my assignments are not required to be turned in as they are completed, but all at once on a CD for evaluation. I have until June 15 to complete the course, and I hope that I can stay motivated enough to do so. My last two courses have taken me almost a year each. Wish me luck!

p.s.- I'm also not sure that I'll keep this Journal on my Tech Tips blog, but the thought of maintaining another one is daunting!

Help Request Help

Have you tried to initiate a Help Request from your netbook only to find that the Next button is not in the spot you expected? No matter how much you scroll, it is just unreachable. Our awesome Tech Dudes have come up with a fix!

Here is what you are contending with now:

From CHTechTips

No scrolling in the world is going to get you to that Next button.

All you have to do is press F11 to enter full screen mode when you are in the Help Request program. F11 is one of those keys at the top of your keyboard that you're always wondering, "What are these here for?".

From CHTechTips

Full screen mode will make all of the buttons in the dialog box available. See the Next button?

From CHTechTips

When you are done with your Help Request, press F11 to exit full screen.

Good luck!