Databases: Performing Searches and Filtering Data

Grades: 1 - 4

CSTA:

1A-DA-05

The learners will receive direct instruction and practice searching online databases with keywords as they perform a category search, apply a simple filter, and explore how database searches can help solve information needs in this engaging and interactive digital lesson.

Type:Lesson

Estimated Time:11 minutes

Score Type:Auto Score

Available Languages: English, Spanish

Vocabulary: category search, database, field, filter, keyword search, research

Primary Objectives:

Student learns about using a keyword for an online search.
Student learns to perform a keyword search in an online database.
Student learns about categories in databases.
Student learns to perform a category search in a database.
Student learns to apply a simple filter in database software.
Student learns to perform an OR filter in database software.
Student learns to use a database search to solve information needs.

Secondary Objectives:

Student learns about Pluto, inner planets, outer planets (gas giants), dwarf planets.

Subjects:

Critical Thinking and Decision Making Process

Technology Education > Information Technology > Student Use > Critical Thinking and Decision Making Process

Data Formats

Technology Education > Information Technology > Basic Operations and Concepts > Data Formats

Database Applications

Technology Education > Information Technology > Software Applications > Database Applications

Keyword

Technology Education > Digital Literacy > Reference and Research > Search Strategies > Keyword

Keyword

Library Media > Information Literacy > Reference and Research > Search Strategies > Keyword

Problem Solving

Technology Education > Information Technology > Student Use > Problem Solving

Search Engines

Technology Education > Digital Literacy > Reference and Research > Search Engines

Teacher Notes:

The database lessons incorporate information about our solar system by following two robots from the fictional company S-SPACE (Solar System Planets Are Cool Enterprises) on their mission to find the perfect location to build a S-SPACE City. This lesson’s setting is Pluto. You might want to show and discuss facts about Pluto with students before they take the EasyTech lesson. Your discussion should include the fact that in 2006 scientists reclassified Pluto as a dwarf planet because its gravitational pull is not strong enough to clear its orbital path of other debris. Therefore, our solar system now has only eight official planets instead of nine.
For this lesson, keep in mind that the Filter dialog box is accessed differently in various database programs. For example, students can use the Records menu to open the Filter dialog box in Microsoft Access 2003 and earlier versions, and then click the Funnel button to run the filter. In contrast, the Records menu is not available in Open Office or Microsoft Access 2007; instead, the Funnel button is used to open the Filter dialog box. In Access 2003, you can add the Advanced Filter/Sort button to the toolbar to make opening the Filter dialog box easier. Make sure you tell students how to open the Filter dialog box on your school’s computers.
This lesson describes filters using the OR operator, which will show all records that include any of the named criteria. You might want to introduce the concept the AND operator, which will limit the results to only the records that meet all named criteria.

Extension Ideas:

To help students understand filters, have students create cards similar to the cards used in the EasyTech lesson that show colors and shapes. Then, working in pairs or small groups, have students demonstrate the results of “filters” you describe out loud. If time does not permit card creation, have teams gather a set of 8 to 10 books from around the classroom. Then, tell students to filter their book selections by criteria you tell them. For example: • Show all books that have soft covers. • Show all nonfiction books. • Show books that are fiction OR written by an author with a last name that starts with the letter M. To make the game more challenging, use OR or AND operators in some of your filter requests.

Standards:

CSTA

1A-DA-05

Store, copy, search, retrieve, modify, and delete information using a computing device and define the information stored as data. (P4.2)

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