Learning Challenges and Performance in the Databases Course

Abstract

The Databases is a core course in computing disciplines since almost all systems require data storage component. Teaching a database course, in general, is a challenging task, due to several factors, such as increasing expectations of the job market, limited time frames of a regular semester system, to name a few. Nowadays, many organizations are turning to NoSQL databases as their preferred system of capturing and storing massive amounts of data, which is actually one of the many challenges and possible improvements in teaching. Therefore, it is likely that employees in all sizes of organizations will encounter NoSQL databases. At the Faculty of Technical Sciences in Čačak, relational databases are studied in the second year of studies, and the students enrolling in these studies have different prior knowledge in this field. This study examines the possibilities of teaching improvements to the Database course, such as the introduction of NoSQL databases, problem-based learning, solving practical problems, designing, gamification, etc., so that future database designers acquire the advanced level of knowledge required at the market. A survey of second-year students was conducted to determine their views and attitudes towards the Database course improvements.