SIMPLE+DATABASE

=Simple databases=

Focus Area 5A2 Changing Australian Communities
Focus: Ways in which communities in Australia are responding to change.


 * Human characteristics that make Australia unique
 * Describe past and current population patterns in Australia

__Demographic characteristics__:


 * – age structure || – gender ||
 * – distribution || – growth rates ||
 * – ethnic composition || – population size ||

Outcomes addressed
A student: 5.1 identifies, gathers and evaluates geographical information 5.2 analyses, organises and synthesises geographical information 5.3 selects and uses appropriate written, oral and graphic forms to communicate geographical information 5.4 selects and applies appropriate geographical tools 5.7 analyses the impacts of different perspectives on geographical issues at local, national and global scales 5.8 accounts for differences within and between Australian communities

Analyse the problem
The first step in designing and creating a simple database of the ways in which communtities in Australia are responding to change is to analyse the problem to be solved. This involves identifying the source and the nature of of the data.

Students will need to locate data sources for the demographic characteristics for at least two points of time.

Design the database
The data on changes in demographic characteristics is to be stored in a simple database such as MS Excel or MS Access.

Design the database solution using a Data Dictionary. A data dictionary is an organized collection of information about the definition, structure, and use of data in a database.

The typical form for a Data Dictionary is a table with the following details.


 * Data Dictionary

Develop the database
Create a table in MS Excel with ROW headings the same as the Field_Names in the data dictionary.



Implement the database
Collect (gather) data from the primary source(s) and enter into the database.



Students need to demonstrate basic spreadsheet skills as they create, work with and modify files
//Indicators //a) Use cell addresses to locate cells b) Insert and format text, numbers and formulae in cells c) Select a range of cells d) Use basic mathematical operations (+, -, *, /, ^) to construct simple formulae e) Construct formulae using absolute and relative cell references f) Use basic functions (Sum, Average, Max, Min, Count) g) Sort information according to desired criteria h) Fill cell contents using commands (Fill Down, Fill Right k) Create appropriate charts based on spreadsheet data j) Set a print area of a spreadsheet

Students complete the following activities:
1. In cell D7 type the question By how much did the males population decline between 1850 and 1960? 2. Answer the above question in cell E7 using a formula to calculate the answer. 3. In Cell B9, using the SUM formula, calculaue the growth in the names of males >60 between 1920 to 1970 4. in cell D5, Using a basic mathematical formula, calculate the total number of males and females > 60 in the population

What is that data in cell B4? Answer: 3,400,000

Teacher skills needed to create or modify this unit of work