Part 1: Completing the Explorer Data Base

Searching the Explorers Data Base

Part 1: Completing the Explorer Data Base

The Explorer Data Base must be relatively complete before we continue to apply the strategies of Hilda Taba. When there are scant data, there is no reason to use a data base to organize data. With a hefty data base, however, we can formulate questions that require students to access their data and establish connections in the form of information that clarifies confusion and solves problems.

Our first task is a job for Windows. Everyone must place a copy of the Explorer Data Base that I have altered into your own folder. This is not difficult to do if you are familiar with copying files to other folders in Windows. Probably the easiest way is to use the "Explore" view in Windows after you have logged on in the usual way. You can get to "Explore" by right-clicking on the Start Button. Choose "Explore" from the options that pop up.

The next step is to find the file in the CSUS Shared folder. I've placed several Explorer Data Bases there and named them sequentially. You'll see CSUS1 Explorers, CSUS2 Explorers, CSUS3 Explorers, CSUS4 Explorers, etc. in that folder. Find your home folder. Just drag the Explorer Data Base file that matches your log-on number to your home folder. Another way to do this is to right click on the data base file you want and choose "Copy". Then click on the folder you want to copy the file to and "Paste" by going to "File" in the main menu and "Paste". You can also right click on the destination folder and "Paste" from there. These rudimentary procedures are in "muscle memory" for some students. Someone near you will be able to help. I will also demonstrate in class.

You also have the option of using your own data base that you created during the last session. The only reason I have for supplying one for all of us is that it standardizes the sorting, finding, and filtering that we will do in this session. When you use data bases with your students, you will want to do a similar thing. The reasons will be obvious in Part 2 of this handout.

The final step in preparing your data base for use is to complete the task of data entry. Of course, your students will do this in your own teaching units, and it can be done in several ways. The simplest way, however, is to create and use a "Form". Here's how to do that.

Open the Explorers Data Base you are going to complete.
Highlight "Table 1" in the Data Base window.
Click on the "Form" tab in the Data Base window and hit "New".
- Note: If you have already opened "Table 1" you'll need to get back to the Data Base window so that you can click on the "Form" tab. You can get back there by choosing "Window" from the menu and scrolling down to "Database". There's also a tool bar option.
Choose "Form Wizard" and follow the directions the Wizard gives you. Experiment with different layouts and backgrounds. You must remember that your students will need to enter data in a seamless, trouble-free manner. You want this to be simple, yet experiential.
The last choice the Wizard gives you is to name the form and open it to "view or enter data". Since you have just created the form, give it an appropriate name and open it to "view or enter data".
If you don't like your new "Form", delete it and start again. Simply select the "Form" in the data base window and choose "Delete" in the "Edit" menu.
When you like your new creation, complete the data base by entering your data using your form.

Part 2: Using the Explorer Data Base

Sorting the data base

There are 26 records in the Explorers data base. I have sorted the Explorer field by alphabetical order (ascending order). I did this in Datasheet View by selecting the field I wanted to sort, clicking on "Records" in the menu, then choosing "Sort" and "Sort Ascending" from the drop-down menu.

Sorting Task #1: Sort the data base by the Date of the explorers' main voyages. What advantage is there in doing this?

______________________________________________________________________________________

Sorting Task #2: Sort the data base in some other way. How? ________________________________

What advantage is there in doing this?

______________________________________________________________________________________

Sorting Task #3: Sorting has a purpose. In the space below, formulate a question that you might ask students that requires them to sort the data base to find an answer to your question.

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Finding Information

Finding information in a data base is simple. Place the cursor in the column (field) you want to search. Go to "Edit" in the main menu and scroll down to "Find". Enter the word you want to find and press "Find First".

What happens? ______________________________________________________________________________________

How do you find the next entry?

______________________________________________________________________________________

What are the limitations of this strategy?

______________________________________________________________________________________

Filtering Information

Here is where data-base strategies become much more dynamic and thought provoking. Filtering allows you to find multiple records by narrowing down the data displayed to the records that match your requests. Here's an example: Suppose you want your students to realize that the explorers didn't always explore for their homeland. In Datasheet View, click in the Nationality field and select "Italian" for example. In the menu, select "Records", "Filter" and "Filter by Selection". You can also click on the "Filter by Selection" funnel in the tool bar.

What happens?

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Click to remove the filter by choosing "Records", "Remove Filter/Sort" or by clicking on the funnel in the tool bar that removes the filter (rightmost funnel).

Think of a connection you might want your students to make. Write a question that prompts your students to filter the data base in order to solve the problem.

______________________________________________________________________________________

Be sure to click "Remove Filter" before proceeding.

Filtering by "Form" is even more powerful in certain circumstances. It allows you to filter across records. You might ask, "Did any English explorers sail for other countries?"

To find the answer to this question, you click "Filter by Form" on the tool bar and highlight the data from two or more fields you want Access to filter. All other words in the fields with selected data are filtered out. For example, in "Filter by Form" select "English" in the Nationalities field and "Holland" in the Flag field. Select "Apply Filter" and voila!

What other questions can you ask that may help students understand the connections between data?

______________________________________________________________________________________

Be sure to click "Remove Filter" before proceeding.

Simple Queries

A typical query returns data about requested topics. For example, you might want your students to view only fields about Nationality, Flag, Principal Voyage, Achievements and Major and Minor Goals. What would be the advantage in this?

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To run a simple query, simply go to the Database window and click on the Query tab. Click "New" and use the Simple Query Wizard. You will be amazed at how easy it is.

Think of ways to organize a query for a specific purpose using the Explorer data base.

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The valuable thing about queries is that they are saved. You can always go back to a query for another look at the compared data.

Design View Queries

These are more complex queries that accentuate higher-level thinking processes. Suppose you presented a hypothesis to your students that Portuguese exploration was never concerned with trade. Your Design View query might look like this.

In the Database window, click the Query tab. Hit "New" and select "Design View" this time. Add the table you want to use (often you only have one) and close the Show Tables window. In the Field list that you see, add Explorer, Nationality, Main Goals and Minor Goals by double-clicking on each field. In the Criteria boxes for Main and Minor Goals enter "Trade routes".

Experiment with queries. Formulate more hypotheses that your students might be able to test by using some of these search strategies. Write them below. For example, I might say to a group of students, "English explorers sought land while the Spanish wanted only riches." Prove or disprove this hypothesis.

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