Commonwealth Computer Navigator's Certificate/Milestone 3/Curriculum mapping/Module 5 mapping

Module 5: mapping

Use the ECDL syllabus V4.0 document for the detailed explanation of the knowledge requirements for each knowledge area listed below. The mapping information below is taken directly from ECDL Syllabus Version 4.0.

Under each syllabus item please list and create links to the materials within the Open ICDL content or indicate if there is a 'gap'.

Module 5 Database, requires the candidate to understand some of the main concepts of databases and demonstrate the ability to use a database on a computer. The candidate shall be able to create and modify tables, queries, forms and reports, and prepare outputs ready for distribution. The candidate shall be able to relate tables and to retrieve and manipulate information from a database by using query and sort tools available in the package.

5.1 Using the Application

5.1.1 Database Concepts

• 5.1.1.1 Understand what a database is
  • Notes: a simple diagram (simple illustrations of tables, rows and columns) will really help to communicate this concept. Perhaps some real world examples of how databases can be used.
  • a gentle introduction into database design and the concept of normalization
  • refer to some simple (school theme) document examples and how to 'harvest' database entities and attributes from these documents into a database design
  • Exercise 1: using a pencil and paper draw some basic entities and their attributes (hint: student and teacher)
  • Example 1: fully attributed student and course entities - this should be a drawing, scanned and uploaded

• 5.1.1.2 Understand how a database is organized in terms of tables, records and fields
  • Notes: 'components' seems to be a vague or confusing term in this context
  • Add depth by introducing the difference between first and second normal form through table and attribute (field) design
  • Include data types to attributes
  • Exercise 2: using a pencil and paper add detail to the basic entities and attributes (introduce concept of students and courses)
  • using a pencil and paper create a table where columns are the attributes and each new row is an entry (make up some data)
  • Example 2: fully attributed and 2nd normal form student and course entities - this should be a drawing, scanned and uploaded
  • also include sample data tables

• 5.1.1.3 Understand what a key is; in particular, a primary key
  • Notes: might be helpful to explain significance of ID field; i.e. what it is used for traditionally
  • Include definition of candidate keys, secondary keys and uniqueness. These definitions provide good reference to what a primary key is and is not.
  • Introduce 3rd normal form with discussion of keys.
  • Exercise 3: using a pencil and paper extend the entities and their attributes into 3rd normal form
  • Example 3: fully attributed student and course entities into 3rd normal form - this should be a drawing, scanned and uploaded

• 5.1.1.4 Understand what an index is
  • Notes: would help to explain indexes in relation to the previous concepts like tables
  • An introduction to how indexes work - relate back to artifacts in school theme; like index cards
  • Explain how and why all primary keys are 'automatically' indexed, and how candidate and secondary keys often become indexed fields
  • Exercise 4: referring back to the work completed in exercise 3 identify commonly queried attributes (fields)
  • Example 4: provide list of indexed fields - this should be a drawing, scanned and uploaded

• 5.1.1.5 Understand the purpose of relating tables in a database
  • Notes: build on concepts of normalization and reducing data redundancy and reuse through well designed tables and table relationships

• 5.1.1.6 Understand the importance of setting rules to ensure relationships between tables are valid
  • Notes: would be helpful if Design View was defined, unless it is defined elsewhere (in which case a link might be useful)
  • Bring closure on normalization during this sub-section

• Section Exercise: using a pencil and paper write a paragraph (or more) describing a student and their tests, exams and assignments, include information about the relationship between these.
  • use your written description to identify the entities and their attributes, draw these using a pencil and paper
  • review your identified entities (and attributes) to identify keys
  • identify where indexes would be applied
• Section Example: provide fully attributed, indexed and keyed entities - this should be a drawing, scanned and uploaded

5.1.2 First Steps with Databases

Notes: as we work through this section we will develop the database designed during the previous section.

• 5.1.2.1 Open (and close) a database application
  • Notes: okay, include discussion on importance of versioning
• 5.1.2.2 Open, log onto an existing database
  • Notes: Include discussion of the whys of different data sources, databases and how Base can be used 'upon' these different sources
  • small problems with the numbering of figures (as well as for the other help pages)
  • seems unnecessary to refer to both screen number and figure number. Sufficient to refer to figure number
  • can explain briefly how the databases are different and also i think it requires an explanation of the different types of connectivity
  • can explain where to get your database name and server url and user name
  • Exercise: Practice connecting to different data sources
  • Example: Create screencast of connecting to different data sources
• 5.1.2.3 Create a new database
  • Notes: more figure numbering irregularities
• 5.1.2.4 Save a database to a location on a drive
  • Notes: okay
• 5.1.2.5 Use available Help functions
  • Notes: okay
• 5.1.2.6 Close a database
  • Notes: more figure numbering irregularities

5.1.3 Adjust Settings

• 5.1.3.1 Change between view modes in a table, form, report
  • Notes: instruction missing
• 5.1.3.2 Display, hide built-in toolbars
  • Notes: okay

5.2 Tables

5.2.1 Main Operations

• 5.2.1.1 Create and save a table and specify fields with their data types
  • Notes: figure numbering irregularities (same for the rest of the sections referring to figures)
• 5.2.1.2 Add, delete records in a table
  • Notes: okay
• 5.2.1.3 Add a field to an existing table
  • Notes: okay
• 5.2.1.4 Add, modify data in a record
  • Notes: figure numbering
• 5.2.1.5 Delete data in a record
  • Notes: okay
• 5.2.1.6 Use the undo command
  • Notes: okay
• 5.2.1.7 Navigate within a table to next record, previous record, first record, last record, specific record
  • Notes: okay
• 5.2.1.8 Delete a table
  • Notes: okay
• 5.2.1.9 Save and close a table
  • Notes: okay

5.2.2 Define Keys

• 5.2.2.1 Define a primary key
  • Notes: okay
• 5.2.2.2 Index a field with, without duplicates allowed
  • Notes: could use a better introductory description of indexes. How it relates to database concepts such as tables/records and applications

5.2.3 Table Design/Layout

• 5.2.3.1 Change field format attributes such as: field size, number format, date format
  • Notes: okay
• 5.2.3.2 Understand consequences of changing field size attributes in a table
  • Notes: okay
• 5.2.3.3 Create a simple validation rule for number, text, date/time, currency
  • Notes: a screenshot would help here
• 5.2.3.4 Change width of columns in a table
  • Notes: a screenshot is almost necessary to show the cursor change function
• 5.2.3.5 Move a column within a table
  • Notes: instruction missing

5.2.4 Table Relationships

• 5.2.4.1 Create a one-to-one, one-to-many relationship between tables
  • Notes: Could include a diagram of one-to-one, one-to_may relationships, or maybe a link to a resource on database concepts
• 5.2.4.2 Delete relationships between tables
  • Notes: okay
• 5.2.4.3 Apply rule(s) to relationships such that fields that join tables are not deleted as long as links to another table exist
  • Notes: introduces terminology 'referential integrity' without explicit definition. Use of obscure terminology that may not be necessary.
  • use of the application name 'Base' is a bit confusing. Perhaps make it a link to a page about Base or just word differently.

5.3 Forms

• 5.3.1 Working with Forms
  • 5.3.1.1 Open a form
    • Notes: not sure what a form is, could use a brief description of it's application (so the user knows if they want to read further)
  • 5.3.1.2 Create and save a form
    • Notes: can explain briefly what the layout will determine in the final output
  • 5.3.1.3 Use a form to enter, modify, delete records
    • Notes: could use a screenshot of a simple form
  • 5.3.1.4 Go to next record, previous record, first record, last record, specific record using form display
    • Notes: reference to table editing instruction could be a link to that instruction
  • 5.3.1.5 Add, modify text in Headers, Footers in a form
    • Notes: instruction missing
  • 5.3.1.6 Delete a form
    • Notes: okay
  • 5.3.1.7 Save and close a form
    • Notes: okay

5.4 Retrieving Information

5.4.1 Main Operations

• 5.4.1.1 Use the search command for a specific word, number, date in a field
  • Notes: okay
• 5.4.1.2 Apply a filter to a table, form
  • Notes: okay
• 5.4.1.3 Remove a filter from a table, form
  • Notes: okay

5.4.2 Queries

• • 5.4.2.1 Create and save a single table query, two-table query using specific search criteria
    • Notes: okay
  • 5.4.2.2 Add criteria to a query using any of the following operators:
    • Notes: okay
  • 5.4.2.3 Edit a query by adding, removing criteria
    • Notes: okay
  • 5.4.2.4 Edit a query: add, remove, move, hide, unhide fields
    • Notes: could use a screenshot here
  • 5.4.2.5 Run a query
    • Notes: okay
  • 5.4.2.6 Delete a query
    • Notes: okay
  • 5.4.2.7 Save and close a query
    • Notes: okay

5.4.3 Sort Records

• 5.4.3.1 Sort data in a table, form, query output, in ascending, descending numeric, alphabetic order
  • Notes: okay

5.5 Reports

• 5.5.1 Working with Reports
  • 5.5.1.1 Create and save a report based on a table, query
    • Notes: a short description of the application of reports would be helpful
    • could use a more in depth description of the significance of grouping
    • perhaps link portrait and landscape to respective definitions
  • 5.5.1.2 Change arrangement of data fields and headings within a report layout
    • Notes: okay
  • 5.5.1.3 Group data under a specific heading (field) in a report in ascending, descending order
    • Notes: this instruction is a reference to a previous instruction which is fine, but it could easily link directly to that instruction
  • 5.5.1.4 Present specific fields in a grouped report by sum, minimum, maximum, average, count, at appropriate break points
    • Notes: instruction missing
  • 5.5.1.5 Add, modify text in Headers, Footers in a report
    • Notes: again a reference to a previous instruction that could be a link
  • 5.5.1.6 Delete a report
    • Notes: okay
  • 5.5.1.7 Save and close a report
    • Notes: okay

5.6 Prepare Outputs

5.6.1 Prepare to Print

• 5.6.1.1 Preview a table, form, report
  • Notes: okay
• 5.6.1.2 Change report orientation: portrait, landscape. Change paper size
  • Notes: okay

5.6.2 Print Options

• 5.6.2.1 Print a page, selected record(s), complete table
  • Notes: description could use more detail about selecting records and printing, or at least links to other instructions describing them.
• 5.6.2.2 Print all records using form layout, specific pages using form layout
  • Notes: instruction missing
• 5.6.2.3 Print the result of a query
  • Notes: description could use more detail about creating reports and printing, or at least links to other instructions describing them.
• 5.6.2.4 Print specific page(s) in a report, complete report
  • Notes: could use a link to generating reports
  • could benefit from screenshot of print dialog and selection of pages