New Perspectives on Microsoft Access 2010, Comprehensive ) Author: Joseph J. Adamski | Language: English | ISBN:
0538798475 | Format: EPUB
New Perspectives on Microsoft Access 2010, Comprehensive ) Description
With the New Perspectives' critical-thinking, problem-solving approach, students will gain a comprehensive understanding of MICROSOFT OFFICE ACCESS 2010 and will learn how to take advantage of the flexibility it offers. Case-based tutorials challenge students to apply what they are learning to real-life tasks, preparing them to easily transfer skills to new situations. With New Perspectives, students understand why they're learning what they're learning and are better situated to retain skills beyond the classroom.
- Series: New Perspectives (Thomson Course Technology)
- Paperback: 832 pages
- Publisher: Cengage Learning; 1 edition (September 22, 2010)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0538798475
- ISBN-13: 978-0538798471
- Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.5 x 1.2 inches
- Shipping Weight: 3.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
I too purchased this book because it was a required text for a computer information systems course. As my title suggests, this book could have been a serviceable workbook for a some other course textbook. As a standalone resource for Access 2010, it is a disaster.
The book is "case" driven. That is, concepts are explained by referencing a model database created for a fictional company. Concepts are illustrated by having the reader follow along on his or her computer making changes to the "case" database. Ideally, the reader would learn by doing. The problem is that the examples overwhelm the concepts. Even a diligent student comes away from the lesson with only a rudimentary understanding of the core concepts because the examples are so narrow and the text generally lacks discussion on how one might apply the concepts in a different context. There is very little discussion about program syntax and few tables or charts summarizing program commands. The index appears to have been thrown together by monkeys.
Additionally, the authors spend an inordinate amount of time on formatting and other tangential issues. The examples are replete with change this font to that font, change this color, add a line here, delete a picture there, capitalize this, highlight that. One of the "key terms" for the chapter on queries is "F2 key". A review question at the end of the chapter on analyzing data is "What is the World Wide Web?" It is torture for the student who actually wants to learn something substantive about Access or relational databases.
The examples themselves are pretty easy to follow and execute. If only the rest of the book were the same.
By Steve from Oregon
Going into my Intro to Databases class I had zero experience with Microsoft Access and this book is perfect for anyone in that situation. It works with you to learn Access as you work through lessons in the chapters. It's not like some texts where it's laden with technical jargon that puts you to sleep. This book guides you through the basics with hands on examples that you do as the chapters progress. For example, every chapter has you work on updating a pre-made database that you will finish after chapter 1 and then immediately pick up where you left off for chapter two. The later problems get more complex without feeling overwhelming.
Having some experience with Microsoft office will help to a certain extent, but if you are at the point where you are ready to tackle databases you are probably familiar with Office, Windows, etc. anyway. And it probably goes without saying but this book doesn't come with a copy of Access to install, you have to have it already on your system.
It's a great text, very simple without being elementary, and it will teach you how to make, maintain and expand your databases like you never thought you would be able to do. 5 out of 5.
By Grant
New Perspectives on Microsoft Access 2010, Comprehensive ) Preview
Link
Please Wait...