Databases developed for the classroom can be very powerful learning tools. Classroom databases require the students to research and enter their own information - a learning experience in and of itself.

Once the students have collected and entered their information into a classroom database, a second learning opportunity is made available to them through the databases powerful data manipulation capabilities such as searching and sorting. These database features allow you to take your students to a new level of inquiry

This pre-built “Tree Taxonomy” database allows your students to enter tree data related to tree shape, leaf type. leaf cycle, and fruit type. This input activity, in and of itself, represents a good opportunity for learning and sharing. Once many trees have been entered, teacher and students are able to easily search the database.   Students are not told the characteristics of Deciduous and Coniferous trees.  They must use searches to find the trees shapes, leaf types, leaf cycles and fruit commonly associated with each.    Notes regarding the common characteristics of each tree can be written and printed.   By the end of their searches, the students will be know the characteristics of each type of tree and will then be allowed to label each tree in the database as Deciduous or Coniferous.