Using Microsoft Access to Create a Photo Marksbook
(With thanks to Mr Norton for the use of his image.)
You can easily use Microsoft Access to act as a marksbook including individual student photographs. All you need to do is set up a database and have each student come to you to have their photo taken using a Logitech 'golf-ball' camera. Access automatically adds the photo onto the form for each student.
What you need: Microsoft Access, a Logitech Digital Camera*
(About $80 school price.).
*NOTE: You can actually do the same thing with ANY digital input device that can be accessed using TWAIN support. If you don't have a Logitech camera, a scanner will do.
STEP 1 - Set up a Table in the usual way. The only additional feature you need to incorporate is an "OLE Object" field for the photograph.
STEP 2 - Create a Form in the usual way (Access 2000 users see below) and drag the fields to the Form from the Field List window. Drag and mark out the 'photo' field and then re-size it to fit where you want it.
Important Note for Access 2000 Users
...
It can be complicated to activate the "Field
List" window in Access 2000 unless you set up the Form in the
first place using the Form
Wizard. For further information
see here...
STEP 3 - Move the cursor over the photo field and right-click. A menu box appears. Select Insert Object ...
STEP 4 - Select Image Document and then press OK.
STEP 5 - The capture interface for your camera will pop-up. Capture the photograph in the usual way.
STEP 6 - Right-click the photo field and select Best Fit from the menu.
Your Form in now complete.
NOTE: You may need to go back to the Form Design View and re-size the photo field to remove any blank area around the photo.
STEP 7 - Go to Form View and enter the next record. Keep going until your class marksbook is complete.
One version of a class Photo Marksbook ...
This Sample Template is designed for the Upper school CAT/CAF subjects. You can change the text and field layout to suit the specific subject. At this stage there is no attempt at adding background script to automate the grading process. It is meant to be a form on which data is recorded, nothing more.
Download the Sample Template (18Kb).