UIL Computer Applications Update for 2013

By Linda Tarrant, Computer Applications Contest Director | Tuesday, January 29, 2013 11:35 AM

Being a contest based on Microsoft Office, Computer Applications will continue to make incremental changes to keep abreast of the changing technology.  Again this year, competitors will be using only Office 2007 or Office 2010.  The format of these two versions is fairly consistent.

In 2012, we created an Access file with multiple tables that we posted on the UIL website.  We posted an exercise for practice using such a downloaded file.  The State test last year utilized a downloaded file from the UIL website as well.  The consensus of using this type of data was positive.  This year, both the Region and State test will use the same 2013 Starter Files that we are posting to be used with a practice exercise.

This will minimize the typographical errors on these tests and will be closer to what is common in the business world usage of Microsoft Office.  When a student has to enter all the data for a test and makes an error on one or more values, then every field that is calculated based on the fields with the typos are also incorrect.  This complicates grading by having graders count a field correct if it matches the key or if, for instance, the field is equal to one field minus another field.  When we eliminate typos in the entered data, we eliminate this complication in grading.

An Access database is posted on the website, and it is entitled 2013 Starter File.accdb.  Please download this file and the associated file, UIL Practice Test-2013.pdf, with directions for this exercise.  This same downloadable database will likely be used for the UIL Region and State contests.

The 2013 Practice Test.pdf file has directions for taking a sample test using the downloaded 2013 Starter File.accdb. 

Included are the following:

1. Test. The test uses the downloaded database to make calculations using an update query and print a report.  The test then creates a select query, taking fields from multiple tables and exports the result to an Excel worksheet.  Students are instructed to use the Excel data to create a chart, put the chart in a specified area of the worksheet and print the worksheet, including the chart.
2. Score Sheets. Scoring sheets are available for each of the printouts similar to scoring sheets for all Computer Application invitational tests, and a Final Total scoring sheet is included for composite scores.
3. Printouts.  Both printouts are included after the scoring sheets.
4. Additional Data.  Since this is a sample exercise, this packet includes a printout of the update query showing formulas and relationships, a printout of the select query showing formulas and relationships and a printout of the design view of the report.

After you've tried the sample test yourself, have your students attempt the test. I think this will actually give students a truer picture of how people use Microsoft Office, particularly Excel and Access.  Perhaps, eventually this will make it clear what the actual function of a database is as opposed to the usage of a spreadsheet.  Many students working with a very limited collection of data have little understanding of the value of database applications and feel that everything can be done in a spreadsheet.  This is not the case when there are large database files and multiple related tables.  Hopefully, this will also make the grading a bit more straightforward with the elimination of most typos.

Thanks to Computer Applications coaches for all your help in trying to keep this contest moving as technology moves.