Evaluation and enhancements for NORMA: Student user suggestions

Abstract

In an advanced database design class, students used NORMA for the first time to do several data modeling assignments. One of the graded requirements was to write a comprehensive feedback memo directed primarily to the developers of the data modeling tool. The memo was to be broken down into good points, bad points, problems, and suggestions for improvement or enhancement. This provides a unique opportunity to gather substantial feedback from users, since the students are highly motivated to use the tool to complete each assignment, working through any problems or frustrations they faced. Giving up was not an option. This paper provides a summary report of the experiences and suggestions as captured in the feedback memos. Several suggestions would be relevant for other fact-oriented design tools. Overall, students really liked using the tool, finding it to be reasonably intuitive and easy to use. Data model verbalization was the most frequently mentioned benefit. The major problems related to a lack of good documentation, the convoluted and difficult process of generating a database (DDL script), and the lack of adequate data model abstraction mechanisms.