Learn about databases and how to use SQL to search and manipulate data

On this course from the Raspberry Pi Foundation you’ll learn what databases are and why we use them, exploring how to use SQL to search and manipulate data.

Along the way, you’ll learn about primary keys and table relationships, as well as how to create joins to search multiple tables. In the final week, you’ll finish by grouping and looking at exporting data from the database.

Learning about databases and SQL is a key component of Computer Science, so it’s important for educators, students, and parents alike to feel confident about the subject.

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Skip to 0 minutes and 2 seconds Databases are essential to computing. They underpin everything from search engines to social media, but what is a database? How can you search a database and edit the data inside it? How can you use a programming language to analyse data? This free course will teach you about the differences between spreadsheets and databases. You’ll learn about the importance of primary keys, and you’ll explore the relationships between data across different tables. You’ll take part in practical activities to edit the data within your own computer sales database, and use your new skills to analyse a set of data to search for trends. This three week course also contains peer led discussions, training interaction, and feedback on your knowledge as you progress.

Skip to 0 minutes and 53 seconds You can learn whenever and wherever you want. So whether you’re a teacher with students of your own or simply want to boost your programming skills, this course will help you to take your first steps in using databases and SQL. Sign up now at rpf.io/databases.

What topics will you cover?

What are databases used for?
Why use a database or a spreadsheet?
Create SQL statements to search a database
The role of primary keys
Add data using SQL statements
Apply relationships to tables within a database
Use joins to search across multiple tables
Group data in a database

When would you like to start?

Start straight away and learn at your own pace. If the course hasn’t started yet you’ll see the future date listed below.

Available now

Learning on this course

If you'd like to take part while our educators are leading the course, they'll be joining the discussions, in the comments, between these dates:

4 Jan 2022 - 31 Jan 2022
4 Jan 2022 - 31 Jan 2022

On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.

What will you achieve?

By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...

Produce SQL statements to search and update a database
Explain the comparison of databases to spreadsheets
Apply filters in SQL statements
Demonstrate how to use SQL statements to create relationships for tables in a database
Produce SQL statements to search across multiple tables
Explain the key terms used to describe databases

Who is the course for?

This course is designed for learners who haven’t used or created a database and SQL before but would like to learn how to. This could include teachers delivering lessons up to GCSE level or equivalent, as well as students and parents.

What software or tools do you need?

To take part in the course you will need to be able to download a files from the internet and either have access to the website sqliteonline.com or be able to install the application DB Browser

What do people say about this course?

The course has made me feel more confident about SQL and databases.

"Having been able to follow the course, in spite of being a total beginner, has made me feel more confident and interested in learning about SQL and databases. "

Linda R. Smith Domínguez

Who will you learn with?

Matt Hogan

Hi I am Matt. I love being a Learning Manager for Key Stage 4 at The Raspberry Pi Foundation. I feel privileged to support the computing education community from across the world.

Who developed the course?

Raspberry Pi Foundation

The Raspberry Pi Foundation works to put the power of digital making into the hands of people all over the world, so they are capable of understanding and shaping our increasingly digital world.

National Centre for Computing Education

This course is part of our professional development teacher programme for the National Centre for Computing Education (NCCE). Our nationally-recognised certificates cater for all levels of teaching.

Funded by the Department for Education and supporting partners, we aim to transform the way computing is taught in schools across England, and enable more young people to benefit from studying this important subject.

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Billed at $279.99 for a year

Endless possibilities!

Access to this course
Access to ALL eligible short courses with additional benefits, for a year
Discuss your learning in comments
Digital certificate when you're eligible

Upgrade this course

$49

Unlock your expertise

All of the above* for this course only, plus a printed certificate when you’re eligible

Join and Upgrade

*Excludes access to all eligible short courses with additional benefits for a year

Basic access

Free

Try before you buy

Limited access to course content for 3 weeks

Find out more about certificates, Upgrades or Unlimited.

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