Assignment: Create a database
that can be used as a mindtool
. Databases must include at least ten fields, ten records, and two layouts.
Turn in the following:
Electronic copy:
When your project is complete
turn in
one electronic copy of your entire database by placing it in a
database folder created by you in the public_html folder in your
personal university folder. Name the folder in the public_html
Database project. Make certain that the document has the proper
trailing extension, i.e. .fp5. Include your name or username in
the name of the document.
an electronic document, using Word, with a short explanation of
how you will use your database to encourage critcal thinking (comparisons,
predictions, estimations, problem-solving, pattern seeking, etc.)
including the questions (queries) you would ask. Place this in
the Database project folder you created in public_html.
Hard copy:
Also turn in the hard copy
(we do need to know how to print and to see how things look on
paper) of
a printout of a page showing your data entry form, and
a second printout of another layout showing a different way of
organizing your data, such as a columnar report.
Entering the initial data:
Open Filemaker Pro 6
Start a new empty database and save it on your Desktop or
your network folder
Create a field by typing the name of the field in the field
box, eg Title
Make certain that under Type, "Text" is selected,
and click "Create"
Note: if you plan to import a picture, you must select "Container"
in the Type section when you create a field for that picture)
Create additional fields by repeating the above steps (For
a literature database, you include fields for Title, Author,
Illustrator, Publisher, ISBN, Genre, Setting, Summary, Themes,
Possible Uses, Keywords, Book cover picture, etc. For a stream
study database, you might include Location, pH level, temperature,
flow rate, riparian vegetation, debris, insects, fish, etc.)
When all fields are created, click "Done"
From the View menu, choose Layout Mode
Move and format the text and fields in your layout to create
a nice looking, workable design.
To change type in fields: click on the field you wish
to format and from the Format menu make changes to the Font,
Size, Style and Color
To change type label: click on the "A" (text
tool) in the toolbox, highlight the text you wish to change
with a double click, and from the Format menu, make the
desired changes
To delete elements: click on the element you wish to delete
and press the key or choose "Cut" in the Edit
menu
To move elements: click on the element and drag to a new
location
To resize elements: click on the element, click and drag
one corner to the desired size
To draw or type on the layout: select the appropriate
tool on the toolbar, and click and drag to create shapes,
or type to create text
To color shapes: click on the shape, click on the colors
above the paint bucket on the toolbar and select a color
To make a shape transparent: click on the patterns above
the paint bucket and select the icon showing two offset
overlapping squares (upper left corner)
To color lines: click on the line to select it, and click
on the colors above the pen on the toolbar and finally select
a color
To preview your layout: choose Preview Mode in the View
Menu. To return to the layout view, choose Layout in the
View menu.
To delete a footer (or header): from the Layout menu,
choose Part Setup, click on "Footer", then "Delete"
and finally "Done"
To make the header bigger: click on the dotted line at
the bottom of the header and drag to the desired size
To create a heading that appears on all pages: using the
text tool on the toolbar ("A") type your heading
in the Heading section
To create a pop-up list or menu, checkboxes or radio buttons:
in the layout mode, click on the field you wish to
put options in
from the format menu, select "Field Format"
click on the button next to "Pop-up list"
click on the arrow next to the "Pop-up menu"
and select the option you wish
click on the arrow next to "No Lists Defined"
and drag down to "Define Value Lists"
click the "New" button
type a name for your list in the Value List Name box
in the blank box below, type in the list of options
you want to appear--one item per line
when done click "OK", the "Done"
and finally "OK"
When you finished with your layout, go to the View menu and
choose Browse Mode
Click on the first field and type the information for the
first record
Press Tab on the keyboard to move to the next field
Repeat the above process until all information has been created
for the first record
To add a picture, click on the "Container" field
you created for the picture
From the Insert Menu, choose Picture
Find the file you wish to insert and click "Open"
To enter information for the second record, in the Records
menu, choose New Record and enter the information for this record
as you did earlier
Repeat this process until all the information for all the
records has been entered
When done, from the View menu, select Preview Mode
To view each page, click on the notebook in the upper left
corner of the screen (click bottom page to move forward, top
page to move backward)
To alphabetize the pages, from the Records menu, choose Sort,
click on the field you wish to sort and click "Move"
Highlight the field you wish to sort in the right column,
click on the radio button next to "ascending order"
and click "Sort"
Creating a Second Layout:
Choose Layout Mode under the View menu
Choose New Layout/Report from the Layout menu
Click to select the type of layout you wish
(A Columnar List allows you to design a list of records, a Standard
Form will give you a new layout like your first one which you
can then redesign)
Click "Next" (and "Next"
again if you chose Columnar)
Click on the fields you want, one at a time,
and click the "Move" button to select them. (In the
columnar report, the fields you select will be the column headings.)
Click "Next" when finished
Select a design if desired and click "Finish"
and answer any other questions the computer may throw you.
Arrange the layout as you wish.
To list all the records in a specific, e.g.
you want all the books by Mark Twain , choose "Find Mode"
in the View menu
In the field you included for sorting, type
the keywords each record must contain, e.g. Twain
Click the "Find" button on the left
toolbar and your list will appear including only those records
that contain the necessary keywords
To alphabetize the list, from the Records
menu, choose Sort and proceed according to the instructions
given above
Saving:
When done, close Filemaker Pro and your database
is automatically saved.
NOTE: if you save your file to the Desktop,
drag the icon for your database into your database folder in
your public_html folder
Scoring guide: Basic requirements(8
points)
Electronic copy has at least two different layouts
There's a hardcopy of the data entry form
There's a hardcopy of the second layout
There are at least ten records with ten fields on each record
There's an explanation of how this will encourage critical thinking
Basic design guidelines(7 points)
No more that two different fonts are used and all CAPITALS and
underlines are avoided
There is good use of "white space"
All fields and labels are aligned properly
The Information fits with the body of a document
Complexity and thoroughness(10
points)
Fields cover the content of the subject thoroughly
The second layout organizes the information so searches and comparisons
can be done
The project allows the user to look critically at the content
(comparison, problem-solving,
prediction, estimation, etc.)
Office hours: Tuesday mornings: 9:00 - noon
Thursday mornigns: 9:00 - noon
Other times aby appointment
Also contact me through email at saxowsd@wou.edu
or denvygail@saxowsky.com
