[Hidden-tech] suggestions needed for a relational database

[B. Kimo Lee]

Hi Keri,

Long time no see! Hope things are good.
---
Good that you wrote back with more details. So basically the problem  
is that the input method was too tedious for the Teachers. In a basic  
sense, it seems like quite a bit of data to deal with for teachers  
whom we all know are generally overwhelmed with things to do connected  
with school when they're not actually teaching. So you have a two-part  
problem.

Problem #1 — Data input:
In my view, it's not so much the database as the interface which is  
the problem.

A possible solution would be to create a desktop tool in the Start Bar  
(PC) or Loading Dock (Mac) that they can click on which opens a series  
of text fields. Launching it logs them in automatically to Efforts to  
Outcomes — or whatever database you're using — and they enter the data  
and press a Send/Enter Another button, which updates the database and  
leaves the user ready with clear fields to enter the next student's  
data. I suppose that the records would be pre-existing and would be  
updated over time. So maybe the tool logs in and then there is a pull- 
down menu of all of that teacher's students. They choose the record  
and make changes. The tool would have to be a vastly abbreviated one  
showing only entry edit fields for key data. To see the full record,  
they would log in directly to the system.

Another thought is to display all of the students records in one  
window, each on its own row, with text fields that expand for editing  
and checkboxes for other info. There would be a scrollbar and an  
update button. You get the drift. It would need to be compact and  
simplified in that view.

The point is that if Efforts to Outcomes is basically good software,  
then looking at streamlining the input/update process may be more  
productive than rebuilding everything. Maybe the above described tools  
already existing and customization is what is needed?

Problem #2 — Teacher Motivation:
There's no getting around the fact that teachers are overwhelmed, so  
they need to buy in on the importance of this data input over the long  
term. How you sell it to them is a total PR campaign, but an important  
one. Sell them on how the having the data will help future students.

Of course, not knowing the specifics of what is in place, or anything  
at all about Efforts to Outcomes, take the above with a grain of salt.

Hope this helps.
Good luck,
Kimo




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On Mar 11, 2010, at 9:54 AM, Keri Heitner wrote:

>   ** Be sure to fill out the survey/skills inventory in the member's  
> area.
>   ** If you did, we all thank you.
>
>
> Thank you for all of the suggestions. Here is additional information  
> about what will be tracked and who will be entering the data:
>
> The purpose is to track student information to see if the program is  
> helping with GPA, test scores, etc. Instructors collect data on: GPA  
> pre- and post-course, math test scores, which students dropped out  
> during the school year, which students went on to a 4-year college,  
> attendance, graduation rates, infraction rates.
>
> Staff running the course at another college use  Efforts to Outcomes  
> software. The problem is that many teachers stopped uploading the  
> above information because the process was very tedious. So the  
> database must support multiple users and be easy to use.
>
> Keri
> ·       Keri L. Heitner, Ph.D.
> All Aspects Research
> 413 549-0154 ph/fax (ET)
> kheitner at earthlink.net
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