Instructor NotesModule5:
Normalizing theLogicalDataDesign
Introduction
This module provides students with instruction in the basics of normalizing a
logical data design. To be able to normalize a database, students need to
understand primary and foreign keys and how to use keys to represent
relationships between entities. This module teaches students how to normalize
data only to third normal form.
After completing this module, students will be able to:
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Use primary and foreign keys to implement relationships between entities.
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Explain the benefits of normalizing entities.
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Normalize a table to third normal form.
Materials and Preparation
This section provides you with the materials and preparation needed to teach
this module.
Materials
To teach this module, you will need the following materials:
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Microsoft
®
PowerPoint
®
file P05_1609a.ppt
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Module 5, “Normalizing theLogicalData Design”
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Activity 5.1, “Identifying Keys in theLogical Model”
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Activity 5.2, “Normalizing Data”
Preparation
To prepare for this module, you should:
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Read all materials for this module.
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Complete the activities.
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Be sure you understand the concepts of data normalization.
Presentation:
60 Minutes
Activities:
50 Minutes
2 InstructorNotesModule5:NormalizingtheLogicalDataDesign
Activities
Activity 5.1: Identifying Keys in theLogical Model
In this exercise, students will identify primary, foreign, and composite keys for
a logicaldata model based on the Ferguson and Bardell, Inc. case study.
After completing this activity, students will be able to:
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Identify primary, foreign, and composite keys in a logicaldata model.
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Select a primary and foreign key type that is appropriate for a given entity.
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To prepare for the activity
1. Complete the activity.
2. Look at the answers and be able to explain them.
Activity 5.2: NormalizingData
In this activity, students will normalize thelogicaldesign from Activity 5.1 to
third normal form.
After completing this activity, students will be able to:
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Normalize a logicaldatadesign to third normal form.
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To prepare for the activity
1. Complete the activity.
2. Look at the answers and be able to explain them.
Module Strategy
Use the following strategy to present this module:
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Implementing Entity Relationships
This section discusses the use of keys to uniquely identify entities within the
logical data model. It also explains how keys are used to implement
relationships among entities. For many students, this territory will be
familiar, so you should be able to cover this material fairly quickly.
Be sure to explain the concept of composite keys and why students might
use them.
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Normalization Basics
In this section, students learn the definitions of normalization and related
concepts, and the benefits of normalization. This section is a critical part of
the course and might be unfamiliar or difficult for many students. Any time
you gained from the previous section should be spent making sure that
students understand this section thoroughly. Be prepared with extra
examples; it might be worthwhile to work through a new data problem in
addition to the ones supplied in the text. Your goal is that students be able to
almost “sense” whether data is normalized when it is presented to them.
.
Instructor Notes Module 5:
Normalizing the Logical Data Design
Introduction
This module provides students with instruction in the basics of normalizing.
50 Minutes
2 Instructor Notes Module 5: Normalizing the Logical Data Design
Activities
Activity 5.1: Identifying Keys in the Logical Model
In