Learning Microsoft Access
What did I get myself into???
Why I wanted to do this project:
I use Excel to track student data. I put in their first and last name, class period, and then keep track of predictive testing data throughout the year. But that is about it! It is hard for me to things like read through all 110 students, and try to identify the "bubble" kids that I can really work with to bring them into "Pass" on the ISTEP+ instead of "Did Not Pass." I also want to be able to easily identify growth between tests. So, excel works great for storing the data, but not so much for analyzing. I decided to try and see if another data basing option - Microsoft Access, would work better. I have very little experience with Access. I mean, I took a basic computer class my freshman year of college ten years ago, but I don't remember any of it! So, off we go to relearn how to use Access!
How I got started
First, I needed to learn the basics of Access. I used a website titled www.quackit.com along with Microsoft Office tutorials to set up a database. I then entered my students first and last names, what period they are in, and their first Acuity test (test our students take to predict how they will do on state test, it is taken three time through the year). Once I got that data in, I realized that I could sort the data by any column! That means I can sort the students by what they got on their test, not just by their names! This is already something that I could not do with Excel!
Success!
I created a database!
Sorting!
I sorted the students by their test scores. I would now look at those students who did not pass (DNP) but had a score over 500 and label them as my "bubble" kids.
Running a Query
I asked my database to sort out students who did not pass. It took me forever to learn how to do this! Once I get all 110 students entered, it will make it really easy to compile only the specific data I need.