Development of Database System Principles and Applications Course based on Task-based Learning and Team-based Learning to Enhance Database Design Abilities of Second Year Students in Fujian University of Technology

Abstract

Background and Aim: The undergraduate database system principles and applications course grapples with issues such as the gap between theory and practice, outdated content, and limited teaching methods. Addressing these challenges necessitates a comprehensive reform to enhance students' practical skills and adaptability to technological advancements. This study aimed to：1) study the background information focusing on course components of Database system principle and application course to enhance students’ database design ability, 2) develop a Database system principle and application course based on Task-based learning and Team-based learning to enhance students’ database design ability, and 3) determine the effectiveness of implementing the database system principle and application course based on Task-based learning and Team-based learning. Materials and Methods: The sample was second-year students majoring in Internet of Things engineering in the academic year 2023-2024 of Fujian University of Technology, the People’s Republic of China was 30 students from 1 classroom derived by cluster random sampling. The experimental design adopted in this study is a group Post-test-only design. The research instruments from each Phase of the study were as follows: Phase I: Interview forms for teachers and students on course-related questions. Phase II: 1) Database system principles and applications course based on Task-based learning and Team-based learning with a very high level of appropriateness. 2) Eight lesson plans based on Task-based learning and Team-based learning with a very high level of appropriateness. 3) An evaluation form of database design ability includes knowledge and skills. 4) a learning achievement test and 5) a student satisfaction questionnaire with a reliability of 0.897. The data were analyzed by using mean, standard deviation, and the one-sample t-test. Results: The results of the study were as follows: 1) The researchers reviewed the literature about the Database System Principles and Applications course and interviewed four teachers and 20 students for problems of the Database System Principles and Applications course, and the information gathered was used to develop the course. The database system principles and applications course in undergraduate education faces problems such as the disconnection between theory and practice, the lag in updating course content, and the single teaching method. These challenges emphasize the urgent need for comprehensive reform of the course content, teaching methods, and assessment system to enhance students' practical skills and their ability to adapt to the rapidly changing technological environment. 2) The Database System Principles and Applications Course based on Task-based Learning and Team-based Learning consisted of the principle, objective, content, instructional strategy, materials, and evaluation. 3) After implementing through Database system principles and applications course based on Task-based learning and Team-based learning, the students’ database design ability (Knowledge) was higher than the determined criterion of 70% at a significance level of .05 (M = 31.33, SD = 3.76, t = 4.825, p = .000) and the students’ database design ability (Skills) was higher than the determined criterion of 70% at a significance level of .05 (M = 45.12, SD = 2.89, t = 5.913, p = .000). 4) The students’ satisfaction was statistically higher than the determined criterion of 70% at a .05 level of statistical significance. Conclusion: To development of a task-based learning and team-based learning database system principles and applications course is significantly effective in enhancing students' database design ability.