NoSQL databases have been used in organizations for decades. Few database textbooks on the market, however, have suitable materials about NoSQL beyond general introductions for typical business students. In fact, users of the typical NoSQL systems on the software market need to have certain computer programming skills. This teaching tip introduces…

"Not only SQL" (NoSQL) databases have become widespread across organizations, enabling sophisticated, data-driven applications to be highly available, distributed, and cloud-based, such as e-commerce, social media, online multiplayer games, and video streaming. However, NoSQL is still sparsely found in MIS and analytics curricula. This…

This article presents a multi-stage guided technical project coding Python scripts for utilizing Amazon Web Services (AWS) to work with a document-store database called DynamoDB. Students doing this project should have taken an introductory programming class (ideally in Python) and a database class to have experience with Python coding and…

Conceptual modeling of databases is a complex cognitive activity, particularly for novice database designers. The current research empirically tests a new pedagogy for this activity. It examines an instructional approach that stresses visualizing gradual transitions between levels of abstraction in different hierarchic levels of a relational…

The SQL-Explore Learning Module detailed in this teaching tip provides an opportunity for students to apply database course knowledge beyond solving traditional pre-determined Structured Query Language (SQL) coding questions. In this unique constructivist activity using the apropos 5E Instructional Model, students explore tables to locate data…

Connecting people with resources is a common activity. However, special situations have unique data needs. Without the appropriate leadership and tools to manage the data, the connections may never take place. This case examines the data needs associated with providing resources and social connections for families having a member with a special…

This teaching tip explores the integration of AI tools into database education. The author describes how instructors can use AI tools to prepare teaching materials and how students can use AI to facilitate database development. The teaching tips provided encompass both course-level objectives and assignment-specific strategies. The inclusion of AI…

Many organizations are dealing with the increasing demands of big data, so they are turning to NoSQL databases as their preferred system for handling the unique problems of capturing and storing massive amounts of data. Therefore, it is likely that employees in all sizes of organizations will encounter NoSQL databases. Thus, to be more job-ready,…

A common problem encountered when teaching database courses is that few large illustrative databases exist to support teaching and learning. Most database textbooks have small "toy" databases that are chapter objective specific, and thus do not support application over the complete domain of design, implementation and management concepts…

SQL query writing is a challenging task for novices, even after considerable training. Query writing is a programming task and a translation task where the writer must translate a user's request for information into code that conforms to the structure, constraints, and syntax of an SQL SELECT statement and that references specific tables and…

Business schools are increasingly establishing MBA business analytics programs. This article discusses the importance of a sufficient body of knowledge about databases for MBA business analytics students. It presents the pedagogical design and the teaching method of a module of database-centric OLAP (online analytical process) for an MBA business…

Structured Query Language (SQL) is still the de facto database query language widely used in industry and taught in almost all university level database courses. The role of SQL is further strengthened by the emergence of NewSQL systems which use SQL as their query language as well as some NoSQL systems, e.g., Cassandra and DynamoDB, which base…

In the fields of information technology and information systems, faculty must consistently adjust curriculum to meet the demands of the field. However, a challenge they often face is understanding what should be covered, especially given the limited number of courses most universities are able to offer. This research explores the knowledge and…

Faculty in the information systems (IS) and information technology (IT) fields are faced with the challenge to keep their curriculum relevant and current. What was taught two years ago will often be outdated and faculty must constantly update their curriculum on which courses should be taught as well as what should be taught within a particular…

This teaching case addresses the design of a database that fulfills the complex requirements found at the Motion Picture Industry Pension Plan, an actual entity. With the goal of challenging students to think analytically and to apply information systems concepts and tools to real world situations, the case study was appropriately structured to…