Experiential Learning About Database Design in the MLIS Curriculum: Software and Instructional Design for Threshold Knowledge

Publication Date

7-1-2025

Document Type

Article

Publication Title

Journal of Education for Library and Information Science

Volume

66

Issue

3

DOI

10.3138/jelis-2023-0054

First Page

203

Last Page

224

Abstract

With almost all MLIS and similar degree programs having a required course covering database design, it is critical to develop curriculum that engages students in learning essential concepts and how to implement designs. We report on a project that explored how essential knowledge about database design can be taught effectively through experiential learning activities involving collaborative groupwork and using database software to build small databases and search forms. The focus is an existing required introductory course on information retrieval system design, in which students learn about database design concepts and implement their designs in browser-based software, building the database structure, content, and search forms. They learn about critical concepts in database design, including eliciting user needs and requirements, prototyping, teamwork, and iterative testing and evaluation. The project had two aims: to select new database software to use as a learning tool in the course and to redesign course assignments so that learning experiences would be enhanced. The project led to important findings about the student learning experiences, to improvements in the curriculum, and to recommendations for educators involved in similar courses.

Keywords

database design, database software, experiential learning, information organization, information retrieval, MLIS curriculum, threshold concepts

Department

Information

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