Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

SQLValidator – An Online Student Playground to Learn SQL

  • Schwerpunktbeitrag
  • Published:
Datenbank-Spektrum Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The Structured Query Language (SQL) is the most widely-used language in database-related courses. As a consequence, writing SQL queries is a fundamental expectation from any university course in database systems. Practical exercises are an essential part of the SQL learning experience. These exercises enable participants to practice and acquire experience in the use of the different SQL concepts, such as clauses, predicates, and expressions. To this end, we developed the tool SQLValidator as a web-based interactive tool for learning and practicing SQL. Apart from using it for teaching, we also use it to administer questionnaires and practice tests to improve students’ learning experience. In this paper, we present the architecture and functions of SQLValidator. In order to assess the usefulness of SQLValidator, we monitor the performance of our students based on the semester activities and examinations. Our evaluation shows that SQLValidator is an effective tool that improves a student’s learning experience when learning SQL.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Abelló A, Burgués X, Casany M, Martín C, Quer C, Rodríguez M, Romero O, Urpí T (2016) A software tool for e‑assessment of relational database skills. Int J Eng Educ 32(3(A)):1289–1312

    Google Scholar 

  2. Alpert SR, Singley MK, Fairweather PG (1999) Deploying intelligent tutors on the web: an architecture and an example. Int J Artif Intell Educ 10(2):183–197

    Google Scholar 

  3. Dietrich SW (1993) An educational tool for formal relational database query languages. Comput Sci Educ 4(2):157–184

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Hawlitschek A, Köppen V, Dietrich A, Zug S (2019) Drop-out in programming courses–prediction and prevention. J Appl Res High Educ. https://doi.org/10.1108/JARHE-02-2019-0035

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Kearns R, Shead S, Fekete A (1997) A teaching system for SQL. In: Proceedings of Australasian conference on Computer science education, pp 224–231

    Google Scholar 

  6. Kleerekoper A, Schofield A (2018) SQL tester: an online SQL assessment tool and its impact. In: Proceedings of the Annual ACM Conference on Innovation and Technology in Computer Science Education, pp 87–92

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  7. Metcalfe J (2017) Learning from errors. Annu Rev Psychol 68:465–489

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Mitrovic A (1998) Learning SQL with a computerized tutor. In: Proceedings of the twenty-ninth SIGCSE technical symposium on Computer science education, pp 307–311

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  9. Mitrovic A (2003) An intelligent SQL tutor on the web. Int J Artif Intell Educ 13(2–4):173–197

    Google Scholar 

  10. Sadiq S, Orlowska M, Sadiq W, Lin J (2004) SQLator: an online SQL learning workbench. In: Proceedings of the annual SIGCSE conference on Innovation and technology in computer science education, pp 223–227

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  11. Taipalus T, Perälä P (2019) What to expect and what to focus on in SQL query teaching. In: Proceedings of ACM Technical Symposium on Computer Science Education, pp 198–203

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Otto von Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany

    Victor Obionwu, David Broneske, Anja Hawlitschek, Veit Köppen & Gunter Saake

Authors
  1. Victor Obionwu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. David Broneske
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Anja Hawlitschek
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Veit Köppen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Gunter Saake
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Victor Obionwu.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Obionwu, V., Broneske, D., Hawlitschek, A. et al. SQLValidator – An Online Student Playground to Learn SQL. Datenbank Spektrum 21, 73–81 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13222-021-00372-0

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13222-021-00372-0

Keywords

Search

Navigation