Breathing Life into Database Textbooks

Presented at CIDR 2015, more information at:
http://www.cidrdb.org/cidr2015/Papers/9_Abstract55NA.pdf

Despite its tremendous utility, database systems has often been considered an unexciting topic for undergraduate curricula. To remedy this, we describe a novel interactive electronic textbook for teaching undergraduate database systems courses. Designed for tablets, the textbook embeds a fully capable database. All parts of the textbook – examples, expressions, figures and explanations in the document are live, fully-functional elements of the database. In contrast to canned illustrations and animations, students can interact with each textbook element. The rapid feedback loop with the database allows the user to explore and understand the full scope of valid and invalid queries to the database. Wireless connectivity allows the instructor to perform detailed realtime analysis of classroom performance and provide interactive feedback, merging textbook instruction with in-class demonstrations, allowing for the scaling out of classrooms.

Transcript

1. Breathing Life into Database Textbooks 
 
 Arnab Nandi
 Computer Science & Engineering The Ohio State University interactive data systems research group at the ohio state university http://interact.osu.edu
2. cidr databases
3. cidr databases
4. students databases
5. students databases
6. students databases students textbooks
7. Database Textbooks ©  Jill  Greenberg,  Crying  Babies  
8. Let’s build an ebook
9. Embed DB in ebook -  SQLite compiled to JavaScript, runs inside iPad" -  Most DB features available to try out
10. Entire textbook = query sandbox
11. Features: Reactive Text
12. Features: Reactive Text
13. Features: Live Querying
14. Features: Live Querying rela%onal  algebra   expression   touch-­‐driven   interac%ve   queries  
15. Features: Live Querying rela%onal  algebra   expression   touch-­‐driven   interac%ve   queries   replay     slider  
16. Features: In-class Insights instructor   insights   student  usage  
17. In-class A/B tests" - Summer ‘13" - Summer ’14 •  More engaging •  More liked •  Lower rank " à Higher rank
18. Summary •  Database Textbooks: L •  New opportunities: ebooks •  All parts of ebook = full-fledged query sandbox •  Reactive Text •  Figures à Live Query Sandbox •  In-class Insights •  Tests over two years = Promising results!
19. thanks! interactive data systems research group at the ohio state university http://interact.osu.edu