Essay preview
DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION OF ONLINE E-LEARNING SOFTWARE
(CASE STUDY OF COMPUTER SCIENCE DEPARTMENT, FEDERAL POLYTECHNIC BAUCHI )
BY
BAJU AYUBA
FPTB/CS/HND/10/84530
COMPUTER SCIENCE DEPARTMENT
SCHOOL OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
FEDERAL POLYTECHNIC BAUCHI
DECEMBER, 2012.
DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION OF ONLINE E-LEARNING SOFTWARE
(CASE STUDY OF COMPUTER SCIENCE DEPARTMENT, FEDERAL POLYTECHNIC BAUCHI )
BY
BAJU AYUBA
FPTB/CS/HND/10/84530
SUBMITTED TO
DEPARTMENT COMPUTER SCIENCE, SCHOOL OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY FEDERAL POLYTECHNIC BAUCHI. IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENT FOR THE AWARD OF HIGHER NATIONAL DIPLOMA IN COMPUTER SCIENCE
DECEMBER, 2012.
APPROVAL PAGE
This project has been read and approved by the undersigned on behalf of the Department of Computer Science, School of Science and Technology, Federal Polytechnic Bauchi. Having met the requirement for the award of Higher National Diploma (HND) in Computer Science.
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Project Supervisor Signature Date
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Project Coordinator Signature Date
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Head of Department Signature Date
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External Examiner Signature Date
DEDICATION
This project is dedicated to Almighty God and to Miss. Domya Salihu for her Love and support throughout my study.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
I am very grateful to Almighty God who preserved my life to reach this stage in my academic pursuit. He has been the one providing all my needs according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
I appreciate Mr. and Mrs. James Baju, David Baju, Shamir James, Jamila Peter, Dr. and Mrs. Ayo Jorome Adekunle, Rev. Dr. Samuel Sule, Alheri Jane Smith, Mrs. Sarah Solomon (Mummy), Mr. Adewale Oyebanji.
I lack word to appreciate Domya Salihu for her love, care and support, and I also appreciate my lovely Loveth U. Martins (Mother), I will really miss you dearly.
I so much appreciate Mr. Dolapo Yemi Badaru, you are indeed a brother to me, I will forever remain grateful to you.
I so much appreciate my Project Supervisor Mrs. Ify Madu for her tireless service in supervising this work.
I appreciate the Head of Department Computer science Department and all my Lecturers for impacting knowledge in me and thanks to all my classmates.
To all my neighbors, Joy Abu, Aunty Eunice, Mr. Osita Agbo, Confidence, Sam Oliver and Ann Oluchi.
ABSTRACT
Electronic learning, commonly known as E-Learning, has become a popular learning and training method adopted in University, Polytechnics, Collage of Education and corporate sectors. E-Learning has allowed schools to continue the promotion of lifelong learning in this information technology advance era. The designed E-Learning software aims to satisfy all the learning needs of working professionals and adult learners. A web-based course enables students who are not able to attend class due to tight work schedule to read up the course materials, watch lecture video, have access to school notice board and register via internet.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Title page - - - - - - - - - - -i
Approval page - - - - - - - - - -iii
Dedication - - - - - - - - - - -iv
Acknowledgment - - - - - - - - - -v
Abstract - - - - - - - - - - -vi
Table of contents - - - - - - - - - -vii
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION
1.1 Introduction - - - - - - - - - -1
1.2 Statement of Problem - - - - - - - - -2
1.3 Aims and Objective - - - - - - - - -2
1.4 Significance of Study - - - - - - - - -3
1.5 Scope and Limitations of the Study - - - - - - -3
1.6 Justification of the Study - - - - - - - - -4
1.6.1 Flexibility, Accessibility, Convenience - - - - - - -4 1.6.2 Cross-Platform Support - - - - - - - - -4
1.6.3 Browsers and Internet Connections are widely Available - - - -4 1.6.4 Inexpensive Worldwide Distribution- - - - - - - -4
1.6.5 Ease of updates - - - - - - - - -5
1.6.6 Savings in travel cost and Time - - - - - - - -5
1.6 Definition of Term - - - - - - - - -5
CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW
2.0 Literature Review - - - - - - - - - -7
2.1 History of the Department of Computer Science, Federal Polytechnic Bauchi- -8 2.2 Development of E-Learning In Nigerian Schools- - - - - -9 2.3 Related Terms to E-Learning - - - - - - - - -10
2.3.1 Distance Education (Learning) - - - - - - - -10
2.3.2 Computer-Based Learning - - - - - - - -11
2.3.3 Computer-Based Training - - - - - - - -11
2.2.4 Computer-Supported Collaborative Learning (CSCL) - - - - -13 2.3.5 Technology-Enhanced Learning (TEL) - - - - - - -13
2.4 Communication Technologies used in E-Learning - - - - -14 CHAPTER THREE: SYSTEM ANALYSIS AND DESIGN
3.0 Analysis of the Existing System - - - - - - -17
3.1 Method of Data Collection - - - - - - - -18
3.2 Input Design - - - - - - - - - -18
3.2.1 Student Registration Form - - - - - - - -19
3.2.2 Student Login Form - - - - - - - - -20
2.2.3 Administrator Login Form - - - - - - - -21
2.2.4 Gallery - - - - - - - - - - -22
2.2.5 Book Category - - - - - - - - - -24
3.2.6 Site Information - - - - - - - - -26
3.2.7 Change Profile - - - - - - - - - -29
3.3 Output Design - - - - - - - - - -30
3.3.1 View Student - - - - - - - - - -30
3.3.2 View Profile - - - - - - - - - -31
3.3.3 Video Lesson - - - - - - - - - -31
3.3.4 Books - - - - - - - - - - -34
3.4 Logout - - - - - - - - - - -35
3.5 System Block Diagram - - - - - - - - -35
CHAPTER FOUR: IMPLEMENTATION AND DOCUMENTATION
4.0 System Implementation - - - - - - -40
4.1 System Development Tools - - - - - - - -40
4.1.1 PHP (Hypertext Preprocessor) - - - - - - - -40
4.1.2 Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) - - - - - - - -40
4.1.3 Javascript - - - - - - - - - -41
4.1.4 Mysql - - - - - - - - - - -42
4.1.5 XHTML (Extensible Hypertext Markup Language) - - - - -43
4.2 System Testing- - - - - - - - - - -44
4.3 Function of the Website - - - - - - - -44
4.4 System Requirements - - - - - - - - - 44
4.5 Administrator’s System Requirement - - - - - - - -45
4.6 Program Maintenance - - - - - - - - -46
4.7 Method of Conversion- - - - - - - - -46
4.8 System Documentation - - - - - - - - - -47
CHAPTER FIVE: SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
5.0 Summary - - - - - - - - - - - -49
5.1 Conclusion - - - - - - - - - - -50
5.2 Recommendation - - - - - - - - - -50
References - - - - - - - - - - - -51
Appendices- - - - - - - - - - - 53
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION
1.1 Introduction
The advent of the internet has brought training via electronic means, which is termed electronic learning.
Electronic learning (e-learning) is a type of education where the medium of instruction is computer technology. No inperson interaction may take place in some instance. E-learning is used interchangeably in a wide variety of context. In companies, it is refer to the strategies that used the company network to deliver training courses to employees. E-learning is defined as a planed teaching/learning experience that uses a wide spectrum of technologies, mainly internet or computer based to reach learners at a distance. Lately in most schools (University, Polytechnic Collage of education etc), learners used to defined a specific mode to attend a course or programmes of study where the students rarely, if ever, attend face to face lectures because they study online.
e-learning services have evolved since computers were first used in education. There is a trend to move towards blended learning services where computer-based activities are integrated with a practical or classroom-based situations.
E-learning is generally suited to distance learning and flexible learning, but can also be used in conjunction with face-to-face teaching, in which case the term blended learning is commonly used. E-learning pioneer Bernard Luskin argues that “E” must be understood to have broad meaning if e-learning is to be effective. Luskin says that the “e” should be interpreted to mean Exciting, Energetic, Enthusiastic, Emotional, Extended, Excellent and Educational in addition to “Electronic” that is a traditional national interpretation.
In higher education especially, the increasing tendency is to create a Virtual learning Environment (VLE) (which is sometimes combined with a management information system (MIS) to create a managed learning environment) in which all aspects of a course are handled through a consistent user interface standard throughout the institution. 1.2 Statement of Problem
It has been observed that awareness of e-learning among tertiary institutions is very high but investment and commitment to develop an e-learning application is very poor and below expectation. Most of the staff and students of tertiary institutions only use internet related e-learning site just for the sake of finding related information for their research since their libraries cannot afford to provide them with adequate and current materials. There is also a noticeable increase in the inexperience of students in using electronic media devices to improve their learning experience.
Also, people that work and wish to further their education are unable to do so due to lack of electronic learning system in our schools. 1.3 Aims and Objective
Generally e-learning is seen as offering solution to several challenges currently facing the educational sector. These include the move towards lifelong learning, with its ongoing demand for continuous professional development, and the drive to widen participation. These challenges came at a time of increasing pressure on resources and the increasing diversity in the student population and their modes of attendance, including learning that is part-time, at a distance, open or flexible and work based e-learning. The objectives of this project are as follows:
1. Allowing student to study at their own pace.
2. Given control to student over when and where they study. 3. Creating environment that promotes an active approach to learning. 4. Providing access to a range of resources and material e.g Online lecture note, Online Lecture Video, Notice board, Student Registration and information about the school and Department. 1.4 Significance of Study
Educational institutes are faced with several challenges. There are inadequate educational resources and a lot of people are willing to go to school but due to distance, work or other factors may hinder them from doing so. E-learning provide such people with opportunity to study what they desire even at a distance. 1.5 Scope and Limitations of the Study
Instructional design for e-learning has been perfected and refined over many years using established teaching principles, with many benefits to student. As a result colleges, Polytechnics, universities, businesses and organizations in some part of the world now offer their students fully accredited online degree, vocational and continuing education programs in abundance. In this sense therefore I am looking at e-learning in the Department of Computer Science, Federal Polytechnic Bauchi. 1.6 Justification of the study
The study has the following justifications:
1.6.1 Flexibility, Accessibility, Convenience
Learners can proceed through a training program "at their own pace and at their own place." They can also access the e-Learning course at any time, and as much as they need. This is also known as "Just in time and just enough." 1.6.2 Cross-platform Support
E-Learning courses are accessible by Web browsers on any platform: Windows, Mac, UNIX, OS etc. You can deliver your training program to any machine over the Internet or intranet without having to author a program specifically for each platform. 1.6.3 Browsers and Internet Connections are Widely Available Most computer users have access to a browser, such as Netscape or Internet Explorer, and are connected to a intranet and/or have access to the Internet. 1.6.4 Inexpensive Worldwide Distribution
No separate distribution mechanism is needed. E-Learning courses are accessible from any computer anywhere in the world, which keeps delivery costs low. 1.6.5 Ease of Updates
After the e-Learning course is released, any changes can be made on the server hosting the program and everyone worldwide can instantly access the update. Courses can be designed to access designated current information from any other server worldwide for an on-the-fly update whenever the e-Learning course is run. 1.6.6 Savings in Travel Cost and Time
There is no travel cost because the Web is available from all desktops. According to some analysts, the actual time required for learning by computer averages about 50% to that of instructor-led training, further saving money. 1.6 Definition of Term
LEARNING: Learning is acquiring new, or modifying existing, knowledge, behaviors, skills, values, or preferences and may involve synthesizing different types of information. The ability to learn is possessed by humans, animals and some machines. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Learning) ELECTRONICS: Electronics is the branch of physics, engineering and technology dealing with electrical circuits that involve active electrical components such as vacuum tubes, transistors, diodes and integrated circuits, and associated passive interconnection technologies. VIDEO: Video is the technology of electronically capturing, recording, processing, storing, transmitting, and reconstructing a sequence of still images representing scenes in motion. SCHOOL: A school is an institution designed for the teaching of students (or "pupils") under the direction of teachers. INTERNET: The Internet is a global system of interconnected computer networks that use the standard Internet protocol suite (often called TCP/IP, although not all applications use TCP) to serve billions of users worldwide. INTRANET: An intranet is a computer network that uses Internet Protocol technology to share information, operational systems, or computing services within an organization.
CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW
2.0 Literature Review
Electronic learning (or simply e-Iearning) is the delivery of courses through electronic means via the web but could also include anything from CD_ROM to satellite transmission. E-Learning environments can be rich, interactive, dynamic and customizable, connecting learners with an almost limitless wealth of information. New patterns of learning are starting to emerge as a result we are seeing an increasing emphasis on information literacy, increased flexibility as to where, when and how people learn, and exploration of new ways in which learners can be empowered to structure and manage their own learning experiences. E-learning is the computer and network-enabled transfer of skills and knowledge. E-learning applications and processes include Web-based learning, computer-based learning, virtual education opportunities and digital collaboration. Content is delivered via the Internet, intranet/extranet, audio or video tape, satellite TV, and CD-ROM. It can be self-paced or instructor-led and includes media in the form of text, image, animation, streaming video and audio.
2.1 History of the Department of Comput...