N C Counties Database and Web Quest

Database Building
Target Curriculum: Computer/Technology/Social Studies
Target Grade: 7 - 8
Time: 6 class periods (45 min. classes)
Objective:
Using Web Quests to gather information
Using Spreadsheet to collect data.
Students will create a database by defining fields and entering data.
Students will use the sort and filter features of a database.
Strength group participation.
Purpose:
The purpose of this lesson is to demonstrate to student how to create a database and sort, filter and print reports from the information. The information for the database will cover material covered in the 8th Grade Social Studies on North Carolina. The student will also learn to use a web quest to gather information and cite sources.
Materials:
Computer Lab with Microsoft Office and Internet Access.

Procedure:
Introduce Databases. Spend a couple of class periods reviewing terms and the parts of the database. Make sure students understand what a web quest is and how to proceed. Review spreadsheets and make sure the students remember how to set up a spreadsheet.
A database is used in many ways. Some people use a database to create address books, lists or reports. In our class today, we are going to create a database on the counties of North Carolina.
Create a list of data for students to input into their database. The list will be generated through a web quest. Each student in the class will research and gather information on 5-6 counties in North Carolina. They will work in groups to create a spreadsheet from the information gathered. This information will then be entered into a database.
Example:
Fields: Section (ie: Mountains, Piedmont, Coast), County Name, Population, Area, Climate, Major Industry, and County Seat

For the purpose of this activity, we will be using the database located in MS Access and Excel Spreadsheet software. The students will first enter the data they have gathered into a spreadsheet in Excel. They will then print the data out and make a copy for each group in the class so each group will have access to the data. Each group will then enter the data gathered into a database.



Student Instructions
Web Quest:
The teacher will assign each student to a group identified as either Mountain, Piedmont or Coastal. Each group will then divide the counties within that group up so that each student is researching 5-6 counties. Each student will then do a web quest to find the facts about their counties and complete the forms given to each student about their counties. Each student will be responsible for recording the source of their information. Once the information proceed to Step 1 below.
Creating a spreadsheet:
1. Open MS Excel.
2. Create a column for each item from the list provided.
3. Enter the data from your forms into the spreadsheet.
4. Print a copy of the completed spreadsheet for each group (3 copies)
Creating the database:
1. Open MS Access from your Microsoft Office Suite...
2. When creating a database you must name the database first. When you click on new in MS Access a screen will come up giving you the opportunity to create a new database. Click on New and name the database. We will call the database “NC Counties”.
3. You will then create a table by using the design view option. Each field of the database must be entered in this view. The fields of the database are the same as the columns of the spreadsheet.
3. Now student are ready to input the data into their database. Students may adjust the size of the columns and row by clicking between fields and dragging to make the cells larger. Students will input the data the teacher has supplied into their database. Once students have finished have them save their document for safety.
4. Once the document is complete, the instructor may then show students valuable tools like the sort and filter feature, how to print reports, create forms, etc.

Sort: Using the sort feature will allow students to put their data in order according to county or any of the other fields.
Filters: Creating a filter in a database is similar to using a coffee filter or oil filter. It separates the materials so that you only have the things you need. A filter in a database does the same thing. Let’s say we had a database that contained all of the students in the 6th, 7th, and 8th grades. But, for our purpose we only need the 7th graders. We can create a filter so that the only data that shows are the 7th graders. Show students how to create a filter in the database they have created. You can choose a particular city or state that you want to show.
To create a filter, choose the "Tools" choice on the menu bar and then select filters. The first item that appears is a filter name. You can keep this as filter 1 or change it. After you select a filter name, you must then define the filter. First choose the field you want to use to create the filter.
5. This lesson will continue for several days with the students generating reports for each area of the state, counties with similar populations, etc. They will also search the data for particular facts and information as requested by the teacher.
Observations:
Observe student to make sure they input data into their database correctly. Monitor class as the lesson goes on.
Conclusions:
This is a valuable lesson because technology is everywhere, and it is growing. Knowing how to create a database will in the long run make life a little easier for us. As you can see, knowing how to integrate the various programs might make your job a little easier too.
For Your Information:
This lesson has been a great teaching tool for web searching, creating databases, and beginning spreadsheets. The students have also reinforced lessons from Social Studies.
Extension:
Students can create larger databases and for a project, teachers can assign writing assignments to involve the integration of a word processing document and database.
Class Discussion Questions:
In what other occupations could we use web quests, spreadsheets, databases?