Database Buddies Project: An Integrated Telecommunications Project Douglas Elementary School

Article Contents Objectives Classroom Activities Lab Activities Tips for Success Special Software Time Line

Project Summary DATABASE BUDDIES is a fifth grade integrated curriculum project implemented between two schools via telecommunications. Each student is assigned a mystery pal at the partner school and must analyze telecommunicated data to physically identify his or her buddy at an upcoming school luncheon. For the purpose of data collection, students develop and upload survey questions. Buddies respond to questions by entering answers into a database, which is then telecommunicated to the partner class. Students organize, interpret, and analyze received data by Venn Diagrams, as well as by performing database sorting and searching. From the data gathered, students draw portraits of their never seen buddy, accompanied by a descriptive paragraph. Then the mysteries unfold as students identified their buddies at a school luncheon and have their pictures taken together.

Objective

Computer Education:

1. Identify database management terms (database, file, record, field, sort, search, report, ascending and descending order).
2. Use a prepared database to enter and edit data.
3. Add and size fields in an existing database to accommodate new data.
4. Identify telecomputing terms and use telecomputing hardware and software to upload and download files.
5. Use a word processing program and desktop publishing program.
6. Use software to prepare graphs and Venn diagrams.

Math:

1. Formulate survey questions for the purpose of data collection, and deliberate the value of questions developed.
2. Collect, organize, appropriately display, and interpret data both orally and in writing.
3. Explore increasingly complex displays of data, including double bar graphs, Venn diagrams, and computer applications.
4. Use range, median, and mode as ways of describing a set of data.
5. Explore proportions by enlarging drawings using grids.
6. Use fractions to describe the probability of data generated from questions. Compare results with actual data.

Language Arts:

1. Write and define descriptive text.

Science:

1. Demonstrate the ability to observe, classify, use numbers, communicate, measure, infer, predict and interpret data.

Art:

1. Develop the concepts and skills necessary for understanding and producing art.

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Classroom Activities

1. Introduce the project by identifying a mystery staff person, using 3 rounds of questions (if necessary).
2. Students determine class survey questions and answer options to send to buddy class. (survey 1,2,3 - 6,4,3 ques. respectively)
3. Students determine the probability of data generated from questions (such as hair color, gender, etc.) and compare with actual data.
4. Students construct double bar graphs (own class and buddy class) using data from one field of database sort.
5. Students use graphs to calculate range, median, and mode.
6. Students create Venn diagrams using data from 2 fields of database sort.
7. Students use collected data to draw their buddy by using a grid to enlarge an appropriate body frame.
8. Students compile all project materials/data into a booklet with a Table of Contents and glue buddy photograph to inside cover.
9. DATABASE BUDDY DAY: meet buddies, participate in an organized activity, eat, enjoy!

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Lab Activities

1. Telecommunications Introductory Lesson (email, modem, up/download)
2. Telecommunications: Students perform all uploads and downloads of survey questions and database answers.
3. Students answer buddy questions by entering data into a database, using both list and form view.
4. Students add and size database fields in existing database to accommodate their responses to new questions from buddy class.
5. Students use Measurement Recording Tool (IBM) to construct Tables and Double Bar Graphs.
6. Students use Linkway (IBM) to create Venn diagrams.
7. Students sort the database on 3 fields and create a report to print the sort.
8. Students search the database, using several criterion to narrow the search,, and create a report to print the search.
9. Students write a descriptive paragraph of their mystery buddy.
10. Students design a cover and develop a Table of Contents for their Database Buddy Book.
11. Students write a project evaluation.

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Tips for Success / Difficulties Encountered

Teachers:

1. All teachers need to meet prior to implementation to iron out all details.

• Establish a timeline and stick to it!
• As a group, each teacher should fill out a daily calendar for each week of the project, denoting the day of each classroom and lab activity.
• Establish paired buddies and respective ID numbers.

1. Set up 6 cooperative learning groups for entirety of project.
2. If any teacher loses or gains a student, it is imperative that the buddy teacher know immediately in order to revise pairings.
3. Communicate! Communicate! Communicate!
4. Fill out an evaluation form at the end of each lab session.
5. Before students upload each database, be sure that data has been entered for each ID number. Protect the database form and data.

Students:

• Each student needs a pocket portfolio in which to keep all project materials/data.
• Students need to be certain that they are using the correct ID number. They should write it on the cover of their portfolio.
• When entering data into the database:

1. All words must be spelled correctly!
2. Do not use the spacebar at the end of an entry! It is the same as misspelling the word.
3. Answers must correspond to the options accompanying each question.

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Special Software

Measurement, Time, & Money III: Measurement Recording Tool (IBM): for double bar graphs and tables.

Linkway: Used to create Venn Diagrams (IBM)

Children's Writing & Publishing Center (The learning Company): used for cover design for Database Buddy Booklet.

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