Demonstration

Migration of Educational Materials to Relational Databases

John Jackson, M.Ed., Jack Kelly, B.S.
University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA

Abstract:

Technology based curriculum support materials have migrated to new software every few years as new technologies mature. It is not unusual to find a tutorial that started as a HyperCard stack, moved to Authorware, then to web pages. In the fall of 1998 the University of Virginia School of Medicine began to move much of its educational materials into a relational database, which are displayed via the web, and other new technologies as they emerge. The goals of this project are to reduce maintenance costs as technologies evolve and mature, encourage reuse of educational resources and make it easier for faculty to author educational content. The relational database can contain any media type, and currently includes over two thousand images, sounds, movies, tutorials and questions.

Some popular relational database-to-web tools will be discussed and methods for choosing a toolset described. Migration methods and issues will be examined. We will describe what types of educational materials are best suited to database driven implementation, and the problems encountered with less well suited materials.

Benefit in Attending Session:

Attendees will be able to better evaluate relational database options and how they will fit into their educational programs.

John Jackson
Univ of Virginia
HSC 555
Charlottesville VA 22908
	
(804)924-1528
Fax Number:
(804)982-4030
jjackson@virginia.edu
www.med.virginia.edu/med-ed
 
Jack Kelly	
Univ of Virginia	
HSC 555
Charlottesville VA 22908
(804)982-4032
Fax Number(s):
(804)982-4030
jkelly@virginia.edu