On Sat, 2003-10-04 at 17:16, garry saddington wrote:
I have used Knoda for AS and A-level project work and it seems to do all that is required. The only problem is that I am not sure that the examiners know what to make of it judging from some of the comments from moderators, but I am in the process of getting this sorted. They have really only ever seen Access and so are not used to the different design views in Knoda. Knoda differs from Access in that students have to write their own queries in SQL and this gives them a deeper understanding of the underlying table structures and also gives them some concrete skills from a qualification (ICT) that does not give them any experience of any programming or scripting, and seems to have evolved its practical aspects from parallel evolution with MS office. regards
Thing is we need something that is suitable for teachers who are not
that expert for KS3 and KS4. If anything they will know Access so even
if a bit distasteful it needs consideration. The OO.o project is
committed to getting such a database solution. I have already
commissioned an initial feasibility with Birmingham Uni. computer
science department and we have an established dialogue with Sun
engineers working on the OO.o project. However, this isn't going to
happen overnight and its likely that some significant funding will need
to be found. I have to let my head rule my heart to an extent on this. I
can't afford to simply spend time doing these things because I have to
earn a living too. Every day I spend out doing something like meeting
the people at Birmingham Uni. costs the company £400. Although I got a
grant for £3000 to commission the study it takes time to get these
grants and to organise what is to be done with the money.
As for the conference, February half term would be a good time I think
as long as its not the week of the 23rd. A venue in London is likely to
be best attended. I run many education courses and you can pretty well
guarantee London courses will run. Very much less certain in other
locations. Who do we want to get there? Just us old hands who don't need
convincing or some new blood? If we are looking for new blood I think we
have to make a good impression. First impressions matter.
--
ian