Experience Through Database Modelling

Learning through database modeling and designing is supposed to enhance the business knowledge of the graduates, their skills and future employment prospects. I believe that peer assessments and self-reflection can help the learners in reflecting on their role within the group and their individual contributions towards the project (Rienties, 2014). I also believe that peer-assessments can lead to satisfaction amongst students while reducing stress. As I was progressing in this project, I learnt a lot about how data can be managed and how databases can be created within a given business context. 

This instructional case about database development for Torrens University Australia (TUA) helped me in understanding the system designing process in real. It helped me in designing an actual system for the university students where the data of students could be recorded. The developed databases are aimed at helping and facilitating the university staff in managing data of students enrolled, courses that students enrolled in and the staff allocated to the courses. In doing so, four different versions of database were constructed named as 

Data modeling has also been used for designing the database at the conceptual, physical and logical levels. It is a technique that I used in documenting the software system using the diagrams and symbols. The highest level of abstraction for data modeling is known as Entity Relationship Diagram (ERD) (Al-Masree, 2015).  ERD acted as a blueprint of the existing database that allowed the designer for creating an accurate design as per the given case scenario and requirements of the company. Through ERD, I was allowed to focus on the data flows and understood the flow of relationships between the entities to be chosen. In short, ERD allowed me to make a better visual representation under the given scenario. 

First, I used the ERD before constructing the database in the tabular form.  By making ERD first, I was able to create perfect relationships of entities with each other. ERD helped me in describing the interrelated things of interest in one domain of knowledge.