MS Access??

[sdb]

Can anyone give me the reader's digest version of what this program's all about?

I'm taking Computer Applications this next semester and we'll be working with:
Word
Powerpoint
Excell
Access


I have a copy of the other 3, but will have to use the school computer lab for access. I've never heard of it til a few weeks ago.

[tx51210]

Cliffs

Access is a lame database program thrown in with office. It is hard to get into cause of their interface but your classes will help. I prefer FilemakerPro as an easy to use database.

If you have never played with a database program you will find they are very powerful tools that let you take groups of information and allow you to enter, search and recombine all kinds of info in different forms. They are cool once you get your head around concepts like relational and non-relational databases. They can combine excel type math with word processing, picture storage and form creation.

[sdb]

oh okay... most of that made sense.

thank you.

[tx51210]

We use them mostly for template based forms that store things like transmittals where people in our office fill in the blanks on the form and it allows them to type in a persons name and it will fill in their correct address, phone, etc. which it pulls in from a related database. It also allows them to pick options for a pre-set menu that enters shipping method etc. so they don't have to type the entries. They can type text in some fields and enter pictures in another and when they are done they can hit print and generate a hard copy for snail-mailing or an electronic copy for storage.

We can generate reports based on the previous data entered that can give us overview reports by project, or user or whatever sub-set of info we want.


The uses are pretty endless and you see databases in use at every retail outlet around and in all kinds of formats.

[sdb]

so how will this help me as an elementary school teacher?

[tx51210]

You will have to fill out forms constantly using the database programs the district deploys. I work with at lot of districts designing schools and get to see the mountains of paperwork they used to fill out by hand being converted into electronic forms that are databases.

You may not have to do much programming but learning how to sort and sift the data into a useable form can aid you in analysis and teaching.

[sdb]

oh i see now.

[Ace In The Hole]

My wife has the book on it but hasn't taken it yet either. Maybe you and her could work on it together. Yeah, that would be cool. No really, I have the book here so if you need to know any specifics, just ask and I can find out for ya.

[sdb]

My book has 3 chapters on it and that's all that we'll cover in the class. Lastnight I went ahead and did the first lesson on Excel. Pretty simple stuff really.

I'll let you know if i do run across a part of access that i'm totally baffled on.