A report on the development of an instructional unit entitled Data base and spreadsheet applications

The purpose of this project is to develop supplementary materials on spreadsheet and data base applications for use in high school computer studies classes. Spreadsheet applications were drawn from budget, workshop and kitchen uses; data base applications chosen were a medical data base, police motor vehical system, and a library search system. They were chosen for their familiarity and variety. -- A combination of computer simulation and print student and teacher guides was chosen as the medium of delivery. This was dictated in part by the nature of the topic. -- A process of continual evaluation was followed in the project. As part of this evaluation, consideration was given in the development to the necessity of the project, the nature of the learner, and the choice of media. Following the production stage, evaluation was conducted to assess the appropriateness of content, instructional methodology, potential classroom use and quality of the development procedures. -- The classroom phase of the formative and summative evaluations were conducted with two half classes and two full classes of high school computer studies students. This evaluation showed that the intended level of learning had taken place. The programs and related material were enthusiastically received by the students and teachers concerned