Database indexing is an often neglected topic due to time constraints, or because it is deemed too advanced. Effective teaching approaches are required, as students can benefit from understanding how deeply it affects database performance. A constructivist method of teaching index selection strategies is presented. The proposed methodology provides instruments for writing better queries, understanding both the query plan and the algorithms to implement the queries, choosing an indexing strategy, and evaluating its impact on the execution plan. A case study of its application in a first-level database course illustrates the approach in practice, where students, using free software tools, have to optimize their designs with respect to objective measures, such as logical disk access, by choosing the appropriate indexing strategies and access paths. The adopted pedagogical strategies include collaborative, project- and problem-based learning, and a carefully designed set of data and queries.

A constructivist approach to teaching index selection strategies and database design

GIORDANO, Daniela
2014-01-01

Abstract

Database indexing is an often neglected topic due to time constraints, or because it is deemed too advanced. Effective teaching approaches are required, as students can benefit from understanding how deeply it affects database performance. A constructivist method of teaching index selection strategies is presented. The proposed methodology provides instruments for writing better queries, understanding both the query plan and the algorithms to implement the queries, choosing an indexing strategy, and evaluating its impact on the execution plan. A case study of its application in a first-level database course illustrates the approach in practice, where students, using free software tools, have to optimize their designs with respect to objective measures, such as logical disk access, by choosing the appropriate indexing strategies and access paths. The adopted pedagogical strategies include collaborative, project- and problem-based learning, and a carefully designed set of data and queries.
2014
database pedagogy; Project-based learning
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11769/98871
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