Abstract:
Being able to formulate useful SQL queries is a fundamental
skill required by many software development professionals.
Mastering this skill is a difficult process, requiring considerable
practice and effort on the part of the student. In addition,
assessment of SQL query formulation skills is a process that
does not appear to have been thoroughly researched, and
numerous problems are inherent to the approaches commonly
taken in universitiesto do this assessment. This paper examines
two of these approaches, identifies problems with them, and
then proposes another method of assessment. The way that
students are assessed in a subject has a significant impact on
their learning approach, and it is crucial that assessment tasks
are carefully designed and implemented to inculcate a deep
learning experience. The online assessment method proposed is
described, evaluated, and the challenges and benefits of using it
are discussed. This is a work-in-progress and the conclusion
states that further validation is needed,and there is opportunity
for additional research and development in this particular area of
assessment.
