Many databases include both functions. Common databases include Claris/Appleworks, Microsoft Works, Microsoft Access and Filemaker Pro. They all have a means of creating forms or layouts that can look like an award. You can select a set of student names and have the database insert them, one at a time, into the award form/layout you created. The more sophisticated databases even include calculations that allow you to display something different depending on the criteria for that student. For example, years of participation awards can be printed based a database field or column for grade level.
At the June 1st Technology Users Group meeting I will have sample awards databases you can copy and use. I can help you adapt a form/layout to the needs of your class or group.
A Database in your future
Databases are a very versatile productivity tool. They can be used to reorganize information by sorting and selecting. Summary statistics can be calculated based on the selected information. The original information does not change, only the current view of it. The CH-UH Schools web site now includes a number of databases that you may find useful. Because you are using a database you can search for and display just the information you want. It sure beats browsing through a long document just to find the portion you are interested in.
The recent Technology Fair (http://www.chuh.org/Fair/) has a couple of online databases that make updating easy. These are useful even though the fair is over.
There is a list of all the presenters. Many include a description of what they presented. We are continuing to update descriptions so you can learn more about the projects. It is a useful record of the many exciting learning projects going on in our district. Some even have links to the completed project. For example, Coventry third graders created an online book about early Cleveland history that you can use with your students (http://www.chuh.org/Coventry/EarlyCleveland).
Technology Resource Teacher, Judy Wolf, asked for welcome messages from people all over the world. These have been compiled into a łguest book˛ and can make a great geography lesson with included links to information about each country. E-mail addresses are included and a class could correspond with the writers. There is a form available for additional welcome messages and comments.
The Summer Instructional Institute Courses are also in an online database at (http://www.chuh.org/StaffDev/). You can search by month, location or keyword to find courses of interest to you. For example you could search with the keywords "Microsoft Word" to find all the courses that will include Microsoft Word instruction.
The Local 795 Contracts (http://www.chuh.org/HR/) are searchable online as well. There is both an online index and the ability to search by keyword. Check out your September raise on the 1999-2000 salary schedule. This will be the last year of our current contract.
The school district's current job listings are now available online. Prospective employees can even request an application online (http://www.chuh.org/Jobs). With a district e-mail account and password, current staff can apply for a new position or advancement online.
The district educational video collection has been online since September, but the professional book collection (http://www.chuh.org/edresources/) was just added online this past month ‹ just in-time for summer course work and research.
The Continuous Improvement Plan (CIP) is available at (http://www.chuh.org/CIP/). You can display portions of the plan by category just like the typical printed version. But the online version can display just the strategies that a particular department or person is responsible for. You can also search for only the strategies that contain a specific word. The online version can also be updated and shared without having to reprint copies for everyone. Because all the information is entered and changed in a database, no one has to know anything about how to create a web page. The web display is handled automatically.
Search for colleagues at other schools in the district at (http://www.chuh.org/StaffDir/).
You can always find out what is new on our web site at (http://www.chuh.org/main/new.lasso).