IB Computer Science A3.1.1: Relational Databases

Teach relational databases with an 80-slide IB Computer Science SL & HL presentation for A3.1.1, first assessment 2027.

Help students explain how relational databases organise structured data and assess the benefits and limitations of the relational model.

Topics covered

• Tables, entities, records/tuples and attributes/fields
• Primary, foreign and composite keys
• Relationship types, linking tables and referential integrity
• Concurrency control, data consistency and integrity
• SQL retrieval, reduced duplication and redundancy
• Reliable transaction processing, scalability and security
• Six limitations: big-data scalability, design complexity, hierarchical data, rigid schemas, object-relational impedance mismatch and unstructured data

Airline examples connect keys and relationships to practical design decisions. A bank-transfer scenario illustrates why related changes must succeed together or be rolled back. School and retail scenarios help students explain benefits and limitations in context.

Teaching and revision activities

• Learning objectives and vocabulary checkpoints
• Visual examples and applied scenarios
• IB-style practice questions with suggested answers
• Eight-mark benefits-and-limitations scenario question
• 21-question exit-ticket self-check

Guidance encourages students to connect what a feature is, how it works and why it matters when answering Explain questions.

Included: 80-slide editable PowerPoint presentation.
Suitable for: IB Diploma Computer Science SL & HL, A3.1.1: Relational Databases. First assessment 2027. Ages 16+.