States have made dramatic progress in the past few years in implementing longitudinal data systems (LDS) to improve student achievement. These systems collect and house student educational data that make it easy for policymakers and practitioners to access and use it for reporting, policymaking and decision making. So much has happened in states…

Presents an instructional unit in which grade 6 students used PFS:File to create a computerized database containing information about many countries. Six lessons are described: (1) introduction to a database; (2) selecting topics for the database form; (3) designing forms; (4) beginning research; (5) adding files; and (6) retrieving information.…

Outlines techniques used in the context of a sixth grade science class to teach database structure and search strategies for science using the AppleWorks program. Provides templates and questions for class and element databases. (Author/YP)

Briefly describes the 1978 National Conference on Cataloging and Information Services for Machine-Readable Data Files, listing its recommendations; notes related cataloging activities of the Office of Federal Statistical Policy and Standards and the MARC Format Working Group; and illustrates the cataloging of two bibliographic data bases using…

This document contains a set of materials to help technical colleges preparing for an accreditation visit. Although the details come from the Wisconsin Technical College System and pertain to the North Central Association (NCA), they can be modified to fit the circumstances of technical colleges in other states and in other regional accrediting…

Discusses advantages and limitations of database software in meeting the educational objectives of history instruction; reviews five currently available computer programs (FACTFILE, QUEST, QUARRY BANK 1851, Census Analysis, and Beta Base); highlights major considerations that arise in designing such programs; and describes their classroom use.…

Describes an instructional database for microcomputers which is designed to eliminate the need for costly textbooks and to aid professors in many of their instructional responsibilities. Various types of databases are explained, and guidelines for hardware selection and backup systems are discussed. (LRW)

This article describes the database of the National Repository for Instruments and Strategies Used in the Identification and Evaluation of Gifted Programs (University of Virginia). The Scale for the Evaluation of Gifted Identification Instruments is applied to the Kaufman Assessment Battery for Children. A sample bibliographic reference from the…

Explains the procedures and materials involved in converting a high school's punch-card system to an online database. Identifies the capacities of the new system and highlights its advantages. (ML)

Discusses criteria for evaluating microcomputer database management systems (DBMS) used for storage and retrieval of bibliographic data. Two popular types of microcomputer DBMS--file management systems and relational database management systems--are evaluated with respect to these criteria. (Author/MBR)

Describes the Educational Resources Information Center (ERIC), a national information network in the field of education. Printed indexes are explained as well as online searching of the ERIC database. Online searching is emphasized, including search strategies, database vendors, cost considerations, gateway services, and CD-ROM versions. (LRW)

All educators need information to make good decisions. Surveys of teachers and education majors reveal that one of the best international databases available, ERIC, is overlooked as an information source. The ERIC system is described in detail, and users are encouraged to become contributors. (Author/MT)

Describes the formation of the supercomputer system which reaches from Seattle to South Florida. Explains the major obstacles of international protocols, billing, priority routing, and security. (RT)

This paper reports on the implementation of the first two parts of an integrated data base designed to replace the fragmented surveys and data files of Virginia's institutions of higher education. The two parts being examined involve the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) Student Data Base and the Institutional Information…

Ways to use data base software to develop conceptual understanding are presented. Discussed are the concepts of a data base, setting up the data, and an assessment of learning with examples. Six references and four journal resources are listed. (YP)