Peer Review

Creating Databases and Tables In SQL

Material Detail page

Reviewed:: Mar 27, 2003 by Information Technology

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Ratings

Overall Rating:

Content Quality:

Effectiveness:

Ease of Use:

Overview:: This site provides comprehensive introductions to SQL and its its use in
creating, populating and querying databases. It contains both tutorial material
and more in-depth reference material.
The material is the second tutorial in the ongoing Introduction to SQL series.
It takes a look at using the CREATE and ALTER commands to structure databases to
meet organizational requirements. It uses a fictional database designed for
the Human Resources department of XYZ Corporation to illustrate the examples.
The tutorial is organized in three short parts.
Type of Material:: Material presented as a tutorial. It covers pretty much the material that one
would expect to be covered in a basic text book on relational databases and SQL.
Recommended Uses:: It can be used by students to find out about SQL. The material could be used in
place of a standard textbook on SQL. However, the fact that the material
contains relatively few detailed examples makes it less suitable for completely
independent study.
Technical Requirements:: HTML
Identify Major Learning Goals:: 1. To give students a thorough introduction to SQL and some related
technologies, such as Data Mining.
2. To introduce students to the basics of a variety of relational database
management systems.
3. To introduce how to create and structure databases using CREATE and ALTER
commands.
Target Student Population:: Undergraduate college students
Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:: Knowledge of basic concepts of SQL are assumed.

Content Quality

Rating:
Strengths:: The coverage of relational databases is comprehensive. It is clear,concise,
relevant and current.
Concerns:: The coverage is relatively basic with relatively few examples. Also, the site
contains a number of adverts that sometimes distract from the quality of the
material.

Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool

Rating:
Strengths:: Identifies prerequisite knowledge and builds on prior concepts. A "Database
Glossary" is available as well as hyperlinked "Related Resources". A discussion
board can be also accessed.
Concerns:: Does not allow the learner to practice with the SQL commands.Relatively few
examples and lack of exercises.

Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty

Rating:
Strengths:: It is very easy to use.As far as I can tell, the site is fully functional.
Concerns:: User interaction is limited to navigation (navigation is not always easy. For
example, even though the basic material is easy to find, the user who is
interested in more advanced material is often not able to directly follow links
from the basic tutorials to the more advanced material).

Other Issues and Comments:: Together with the other tutorials available at the same site, this material is a
gentle and easy-to-read introduction to SQL. The advertisements are sometimes
distracting. These often distract from the main material that a student or
instructor may be interested in.
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