Unit Work Sample Documentation Example
Project Name
"Using a Database to Organize Concepts."
Description of Problem
In my senior level honors physics class, the students were having trouble keeping many concepts organized. For example, there are many fundamental particles (not just protons, neutrans, and electrons) with many different characteristics. Most all of the students were not able to organize the particles in a manner to remember the related characteristics.
Description of Solution / Process
As a result, each student was to create a database to arrange the particles and the characteristics of each in a manner that could be easily understood. According to Grabe and Grabe (1998), "...database programs are used to organize, store, and search for information." Therefore, by creating a database with all the particles, the students could easily retrieve and, as a result, learn many or all of the different properties of each fundamental particle.
First, I had the students look up and write down all of the main characteristics of the fundamental particles, such as mass energy, charge/source, spin, and color (if applicable). The students then were given class time to begin working on the databases. Because there are only three computers in our science room, not all of the students could work on the computers at once. Therefore, while some students were working on their databases, all of the others were working on problems relating to the fundamental particles to improve their understanding of the characteristics. Whatever the students were not able to complete in class, they were responsible to finish at home or during after school computer hours. Finally, the class was quizzed over the fundamental particles, and I was pleased with the results.
Other Places to Use this Solution
As Grabe and Grabe (1998) state, "...a database can be prepared to organize categories of information on nearly any topic you might imagine." Therefore, students can use databases to organize all types of concepts. For example, students working on science projects can use a database to organize observations, data collection, and results. Furthermore, teachers can use databases to organize student information including grades, parents' names, adn study habits. As a reult, databases can be created to organize just about anything.
What I Learned and How I Would Improve It Next Time
I learned that databases are really easy to create. Furthermore, once a database is created it is easy to retrieve any information and display it in any format you like. I feel the work sample I created in very organized and I do not believe I would change anything if I were to evaluate it.
Resources / References Used
Grabe, M., & Grabe, C. (1998). Integrating technology for meaningful learning (2nd ed.) Boston: Houghton Mifflin.
