Planning a branching database
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can plan the structure of a branching database.
Key learning points
- Branching database structures can be planned.
- A series of questions can be used to identify a unique object.
- Objects can be compared using attributes.
Keywords
Plan - a design to show what something will look like in the future
Compare - looking at two or more things to see what is the same or different
Common misconception
Any question can be used to create a branching database successfully.
A good question should split the data evenly to make sure the number of questions required to reach what is being looked for is minimised.
Teacher tip
Guessing games are a good way of demonstrating the power of carefully chosen questions. Try a game with your class to guess a card from a deck of playing cards by only being able to answer yes/no questions. Show how carefully chosen questions will narrow down the options about what is being guessed.
Equipment
Pupils will need access to a device with software that can create branching databases. Examples in this lesson use J2E branch https://oak.link/branching-db
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What does "structure" mean in a database?
Q2.Why is it important to think about the order of questions in a database?
Q3.What kind of question is used in a branching database?
Q4.What is the first step in creating a branching database?
Q5.Why is comparing two database structures useful?
Q6.What happens if a database is poorly structured?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What does the term "plan" mean in the context of a database?
Q2.Why is it important to plan the structure of a branching database?
Q3.What does "compare" mean in the context of a database?
Q4.Why is it important to use attributes when comparing objects?
Q5.What happens if the questions in a database are poorly planned?
Q6.Why is it important to choose good questions for a branching database?
To help you plan your 3 computing lesson on: Planning a branching database, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 3 computing lesson on: Planning a branching database, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 2 computing lessons from the Organising data using databases unit, dive into the full primary computing curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.