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AN EXPERIMENT IN TEACHING DATABASE CONCEPTS INDEPENDENT OF SOFTWARE PLATFORM

This paper examines Information Systems teaching, as opposed to training, in the context of a Database Concepts course. The course was developed using the IS 2002 model curriculum as a guide, with specific effort made to focus on teaching students fundamental concepts and techniques while using a branded RDBMS software package as a tool for instruction. The course was taught by the same instructor in three consecutive semesters using three different database software packages (Oracle, MS SQL Server, and MySQL). Student scores from these three offerings are compared statistically using ANOVA, revealing that the IS 2002 objectives for the database course can be achieved independent of the software package selected for use in instruction. Students taught in one environment were then tested on database skills in a different environment in order to determine whether or not their comprehension of database concepts and techniques transcended the software environment in which they were taught. Students achieved comparable, passing scores using different software packages, lending support to the position that if instruction is focused on teaching database concepts and techniques rather than training in one specific tool, students will be able to work effectively in various database software environments upon graduation.