Spanish-American Institute

960 Using Microsoft Access 80 classes

Prerequisite(s): None

Textbooks: Rick Winter, Learning Microsoft Access 2000, DDC Publishing, 2000 (or comparable text).

Course Description: While developing English language skills, this course introduces students to Access concepts, features, functions, and database applications.

Objectives: By the end of the course, students should be able:

• to read about Access and understand what is being discussed or described;
• to read and follow directions when practicing textbook exercises;
• to decide how to use Access applications to organize and present information in response to specific situations;
• to ask questions concerning concepts and implementation;
• to explain orally or in writing the procedures used or results obtained;
• to explain the content of Access database elements
• to understand the basics of creating an Access database;
• to understand how Access can be applied to real world situations;
• to understand how to navigate toolbars and use menus to customize Access; and
• to understand how to use other Access features.

Instructional Methods: Classes include language development and critical thinking sessions followed by hands-on practice and drills. Students will complete periodic summary exercises that require application of all skills learned to date. Each student will create a portfolio of finished output.

Grading: The final grade is based on the following:

Class Participation	25%
Assignments	50%
Exams	25%
Total	100%

The grading scale is: A=90-100%, B+=85-89%, B=80-84%, C+=75-79%, C=70-74%, D=65-69%, F=60-64%

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Course Outline:

Week	Topics	Assignments and Tests
1	Mapping the text and course: introduction to the course and the book, including learning aids Vocabulary log guidelines: write two complete sentences for each word, one that describes its meaning and one that gives an example of its use. Language preparation: basic direction words Basics: databases, database management systems, and Access Creating a database form: using Access, windows, menus, commands, toolbars, dialog boxes, etc. Close reading: on the job scenarios.	Vocabulary log. Write at least five complete sentences beginning with direction words for using Access. Exercises: 1-3.
2-3	Creating a database: opening & navigating an Access database; entering records; planning a database & creating a new database file; creating Table using the Table Wizard; formatting; creating a form; exporting & publishing an Access object to an Excel or Word document. Using ordinal transition words in directions. Close reading: on the job and critical thinking.	Vocabulary log. Exercises 4-11. Turn any list of 5 or more sequential directions in the text into a paragraph, using ordinals: first, second, third, etc.
4-5	Basic database editing and printing: adding, deleting, moving, and renaming fields; adding a lookup value list field; using form design toolbox; formatting; importing, copying, and linking data within Microsoft suite; etc. Using other transition words in directions. Close reading: on the job and critical thinking.	Vocabulary log. Exercises 12-19 Turn any list of 4 or more directions from Lesson 3 into a paragraph, making use of some or all of the following transition words: first, next, then, after, last. .
6-7	Finding information in a database: using wizards and switchboards; finding and replacing data, working with multiple sorts; filtering; etc. Close reading: on the job and critical thinking.	Vocabulary log. Exercises 20-26 In a paragraph or more, explain why you needed to keep information on your clients and what you did to create a client database.
8-9	Working with queries: Oral practice: explaining the information in the "orders" table in Exercise 30. Close reading: on the job and critical thinking situations. Review for exam.	Vocabulary log. Exercises 27-31. Look up the word "query" in the dictionary. Then write a paragraph or more explaining its meaning and why it is a good description for what you do when you use an Access query. Write a paragraph or more in which you describe the information in the "Orders" table in exercise 30 and describe the table was organized. Exam, week 8.
10-11	Working with reports: creating reports; using design view; formatting reports; creating a report from a query, creating labels, etc. . Close reading: on the job and critical thinking. Oral practice: explaining to others what the Bicycle Shop client reports tells you about the company in exercise 34 or in exercise 36.	Vocabulary log Exercises 32-38. Look up the word "wizard" in the dictionary, then write a paragraph or more in which you define the word and explain how it is used in Access. One-half the class will explain orally the information in the report in exercise 34 and one-half the report in exercise 35. Write a paragraph or more describing at least two ways you grouped information that would help you make decisions as manager of the Bicycle Shop.
12-13	Advanced table and form design: using OLE data type; data validation; working with formats and zero length property; indexes; working with hyperlinks; using properties, other objects, form controls, subforms/subreports; etc. Oral practice: explaining data sets on tables. Close reading: on the job and critical thinking.	Vocabulary log. Exercises 39-47. One-half the class will explain orally the information about the information in the table in illustration A and one-half in B in exercise. Describe the database created for Expose, Inc. (exercise 47) and how you created it.
14	Working with advanced queries: parameter queries, syntax, action queries, SQL queries, etc. Close reading: on the job and critical thinking	Vocabulary log. Exercises 48-53. Write a letter to a friend explaining what you can do in Access and how you may use it in the future.
15	Advanced calculations: creating a total query, using time functions, changing values, using domain aggregate functions, etc. Close reading: on the job and critical thinking.	Vocabulary log. Exercises 54-59. Describe any single database created this week and how you went about creating it
16	Automating access: creating and using buttons, macros, and toolbars; passwords and encryption; using the table analyzer wizard. Close reading: on the job and critical thinking. Review for exam.	Vocabulary log. Exercises 60-68 (TBA) Exam.

rev. 2/04