ICT

10ICT AIRTABLE

This term the students in Year 10 Information and Communication Technology have been using an online, free database software called Airtable. Many staff have also discovered the benefits of using Airtable with various tasks.

Limiting ourselves to the free version of the software still gives the students the experience of working with tables of Records and Fields, choosing appropriate data types, sending forms to collect and automatically record data, manipulating displays of the data in various ways as appropriate and linking tables (the major advantage of using a database over a flat file) to reduce data redundancy.

Students have created their own databases on Hollywood Actors, their ICT class and current exam timetables as well as using and manipulating some pre-prepared databases on Seasonal Produce in Australia, and Famous People’s Favourite Books.

One of the greatest benefits, of course, is that, along with our use of Stile to present content, activities and assessments, this work can be completed on the Chromebooks at home and will not require students to access the desktop computers at lunchtime. It also allows for students who miss classes due to camps, excursions, sport, holidays etc to be able to catch up without having to give up many lunchtimes.

Hopefully the students will learn to appreciate the advantages of maintaining certain data in a database rather than just a spreadsheet file, and the experience should help to prepare them for using other database management systems such as Microsoft Access if they choose to study an IT offering at VCE level.

Ms Hatch

ICT Teacher

In Year 10 ICT, we have been learning about Airtable, a database software which allows us to record, organize and manage data from any device. We have explored different ways to view, sort, filter, and edit databases, enabling us to use and analyse all types of data optimally and efficiently. Our newfound knowledge gives us the skills to collect and interpret information in various ways.

Aaron Todes, Year 10

Ever since, I have joined my ICT class, I was intrigued to see this new topic revolving around Airtable. As I never knew of or had even heard about this program, I was thrilled to try it out. Unluckily, my lessons were cut short due to other extracurricular activities taking my ICT periods; I was behind on the material and struggled to learn this new topic. Over the weeks my teacher, Ms Hatch, and my friends such as Joe and Nathan have patiently assisted me (along with the information in Stile) until I understood this topic. In the end, all the features seemed extremely useful and may be helpful in my future life!

Stanis Chong, Year 10