Databases and big data
Answers are for parents and teachers.
1
Write three advantages of a database and one school example for each.
Answers differ. For example: organisation (one class list), accuracy (one correct spelling), security (only teachers change marks).
2
Design a small table for a football club: four column names and two invented rows.
Answers differ. Check four sensible column names (such as player, number, team, age) and two invented rows with no real names.
3
A shop has 18 pens, 12 rulers and 6 erasers. How many items are there? Which item is the lowest?
18 + 12 + 6 = 36 items. Erasers are the lowest.
4
Explain in two sentences why a pile of papers is not a database.
A database is organised and stored by special programs. A pile of papers is hard to search.
5
Name the three kinds of data and give one example for each.
Structured: a table of marks. Semi-structured: an e-mail. Unstructured: a photo or a voice recording.