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Alastair Monger Computing Group, Technology Faculty Southampton Institute

Exploiting Effective Learning and Teaching Methods, Tools and Resources for the Distance or “Out-of-Classroom” Learning of Databases. Alastair Monger Computing Group, Technology Faculty Southampton Institute. What is covered?. Contextualising ICT-based Learning & Teaching Model

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Alastair Monger Computing Group, Technology Faculty Southampton Institute

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  1. Exploiting Effective Learning and Teaching Methods, Tools and Resources for the Distance or “Out-of-Classroom” Learning of Databases Alastair Monger Computing Group, Technology Faculty Southampton Institute Exploiting Effective Learning and Teaching Methods, Tools and Resources for the Distance and "Out-of-Classroom" Learning of Databases

  2. What is covered? • Contextualising ICT-based Learning & Teaching Model • ICT-based Methods, Tools and Resources • Learning outcome – Identify and explain functions of a DBMS • Learning outcome – Design a database • Learning outcome – Implement SQL • Learning outcome – Research a topic • Evaluation • Database of Learning Resources for Databases • Conclusion Exploiting Effective Learning and Teaching Methods, Tools and Resources for the Distance and "Out-of-Classroom" Learning of Databases

  3. Contextualising ICT-based Learning & Teaching Model L,T&Ass. Methods Resources Active Learning Resource-based Learning Learner and Outcomes Facilitated Learning Constructivist Learning ICT Infrastructure Tutor(s) Peer Learners Nothing new here – but distance T&L requires a clearer focus and clarity of these elements than in face-to-face teaching? Exploiting Effective Learning and Teaching Methods, Tools and Resources for the Distance and "Out-of-Classroom" Learning of Databases

  4. ICT-based Methods, Tools and Resources • Online Presentation of Knowledge • Facilitating Application Development Activities Online • Moderating of Online Discussion Forums to Promote Construction of Knowledge and Understanding • Online Assessment of Knowledge • Facilitating Online Access to Tools for Learning Specific Topics • Facilitating Online Forums and FAQs (and blogs and wikis?) to Promote the Sharing of Technical Knowledge for Development Activities Exploiting Effective Learning and Teaching Methods, Tools and Resources for the Distance and "Out-of-Classroom" Learning of Databases

  5. Learning Outcome – Identify and explain functions of a DBMS Essential reading of DBMS in plain text (with diagrams) is provided online (method 1). This includes Chapter 1 of Database Systems by Connolly & Begg (which has been provided in an electronic form under the HERON agreement), and some introductory notes on databases provided with the permission of Garvey, Jackson & Byrne. Knowledge and understanding of DBMS is then tested by a quiz implemented in the VLE (method 4). Exploiting Effective Learning and Teaching Methods, Tools and Resources for the Distance and "Out-of-Classroom" Learning of Databases

  6. Learning Outcome – Design a relational database using a modelling tool Essential reading on data modelling and database design is provided in a variety of media including text and animated slide presentations (method 1). The distance learners undertake a design activity in groups using shared folders (method 2). Currently, SSADM Select is made available for download (with supporting notes). An FAQ provides further technical support. This knowledge is (currently) captured from peer-to-peer learner support in a discussion forum, and from email responses to individual student queries (method 6). Students are also referred to the quizzes on entity-relationship modelling (method 4). Exploiting Effective Learning and Teaching Methods, Tools and Resources for the Distance and "Out-of-Classroom" Learning of Databases

  7. Learning Outcome – Implement SQLfor data definition, retrieval, manipulation and control The learner is provided with a rich range of resources to support the learning of SQL. These include presentations, examples, exercises/model solutions, SQL language references and a SQL syntax summary (method 1). SQLTutor and SQLCourseTutor are suggested as possible alternative tools for students who prefer this approach to learning (method 5). FAQs and a forum are also provided for technical support (method 6). Internet access using iSQLPlus to Oracle accounts is provided (through the firewall) for all our students. Read access to the schema for the exercises is also provided, or downloadable scripts for those who prefer to work on their own installed databases at home (method 2). Exploiting Effective Learning and Teaching Methods, Tools and Resources for the Distance and "Out-of-Classroom" Learning of Databases

  8. Week Topic (1) (2) (3) 1 Static Java-based Access Methods 39 3.9 3 2 XML Databases/Datatypes 46 4.6 6 3 Accessing Databases through XForms 58 5.8 6* 4 Loading External Data into Databases 27 2.7 1 5 Using Excel as an OLAP Tool 33 3.3 2 6 Implementing Objects in Object-Relational Databases 35 3.5 4 Learning Outcome – Research a topic One approach is to require the students to contribute to online discussion forums for an advanced topic that extends from the core topic covered that week. The aim is for the student to be able to make an informed choice of one of these six topics, and to have initial research available, when the main activity starts after week 6 (method 3). * including one thread of 16 messages (1) Total message inc. some summaries (2) Messages per student (3) Significant discussion threads of 4 or more messages Exploiting Effective Learning and Teaching Methods, Tools and Resources for the Distance and "Out-of-Classroom" Learning of Databases

  9. Evaluation • Individual methods, tools and resources presented here already evaluated in TLAD and elsewhere • Synthesised pedagogical approach presented here still under development – initial student feedback is promising though Exploiting Effective Learning and Teaching Methods, Tools and Resources for the Distance and "Out-of-Classroom" Learning of Databases

  10. Database of Learning Resources for Databases • Collaborative bid (with Glasgow and Bradford) for £3000 development funding submitted in October 2004 • But unsuccessful! – only 10 bids out of 50 gained funded • HEA response indicated “ICS have recently developed a new on-line database to cover all aspects of the computing curriculum and are now ready to populate this with suitable material” – unsure of current availability though! • Responded positively to suggestion of helping to identify TLA resources for this database –not yet progressed though! Exploiting Effective Learning and Teaching Methods, Tools and Resources for the Distance and "Out-of-Classroom" Learning of Databases

  11. Conclusion • Methods, tools and resources can be effectively deployed to achieve learning outcomes for distance and ”out-of-classroom” learners. • A learning and teaching strategy for distance learners is needed. • There is a clear HEFCE objective for the academic community to work collaboratively on, and share, quality assured learning resources. However, the provision of a database of shared learning resources, particularly for the databases community, has yet to be fully achieved. Exploiting Effective Learning and Teaching Methods, Tools and Resources for the Distance and "Out-of-Classroom" Learning of Databases

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