Database in the Classroom

Database is very much like a spreadsheet. When students create a database they are required to think critically. The students have to think "out of the box" creating a higher level of thinking. Not only does this meet the NETS for students this type of learning goes along with Bloom's Taxonomy. A nice feature of using a database is that children can use it throughout a period of time, adding, changing and deleting information as needed. I would like to use this in the classroom so children can keep up with their own grades on different assignments. This will create ownership of the grade that they receive and will help them to strive to do better where needed. A disadvantage of using this would be that I may not have enough computers in the room. I would like to spend a small amount of time in the computer lab so each student can input their own grades and view the results! Once students move on to third grade it is hard for them to adjust to letter grades and to be responsible for actual averages. I believe by creating a database with their grades will help them to also have a better understanding and help them adjust to third grade.