Design and Implementation of Online Registration Portal (a Case Study of Hassan Usman Katsina Polytechnic)
Chapter One
Aim and Objectives
Aim:
The research work is aim to analyze the current system and to develop new online system through the following objectives:
Objectives:
- To provide online software that enable student to register with the polytechnic online, irrespective of where the student is located.
- To create a central database that interacts with student during the registration.
- To provide a readymade online registration form.
- Eliminate the tedious work by staff during registration exercise.
- Provide quick search for student’s record
CHAPTER TWO
LITERATURE REVIEW
Introduction
Online registration can be divided into three stages of development. The first stage is the 1970s. This is a “developing stage” in which some universities led higher education institutions to experience initial new technology application in administration (Michael, 1976; Chapman & Gambrell, 1976; Brown, 1979; Hengehold & Keim, 1975; Adams, 1974). During this stage, online registration underwent a period of experiments and testing. Online registration was beginning to be recognized for its operation in assisting university administration.
The second stage refers to the decade of the 1980s. During these years, online registration was widely used by universities across the word. New features in the registration process were added and more experience was summarized (Heard, 1987; Cook & Parker, 1983; Arnett & Posey, 1986; Lonabocker & Long, 1983; Lisker, 1987). This period can be viewed as the “stabilized stage.” Cook & Parker (1983) conducted a survey of online registration practices among 66 colleges and universities. They found that online registration had improved academic advising. Lisker summarized that thenew technology application had saved time for students, faculty and staff members (1987). Online registration has been clearly confirmed as “a successful approach” (Lonabocker & Long, 1983; Arnett & Posey, 1986).
The third stage includes the 1990s and beyond. This period can be viewed as the “enhancement stage.” There have been new ways of exploring online registration such as using web service (Swein, 1997), integration of internet technology into all phases of the education process (Thomas, Carswell & Price, 1998), and getting specific groups of students involved in online registration (Kelly, 1998). Thomas et al. pointed out that the integrative approach has been effective in university administration. The third stage indicates that online registration has been well developed, looking for new ways to enhance the new technology environment through new technology convergence.
A recent study of online registration services concurs with this observation, concluding that: “the general problem with manual system slow retrieval of data – the information stored by students are in different parts of the site and take a long time to retrieve the data. In all it can take up to 30 minutes finding the relevant information of student” (von Blackenburg, 2006). Paper takes up a massive amount of room in the site. If a computer were bought the paper could all go and there would be lots more free space which could be used for other purposes.
Online Registration Portal is a system that allows students through the internet, to register, drop, or add courses within the registration period.
The students may or may not have prior experience using such system. Ideally, any student can identify him/herself to the system to Register, Add, or Drop course/courses during the registration period
Online Registration
Online Registration Systems are used in a wide range of organization. Once implemented, the benefits are immediately seen, i.e. reduced paperwork, more time for other tasks (tedious task become automated), increased payment security, plus improved data organization and accuracy.(Bargh, 2003).
Benefits gain from Online Registration
Automated Online Registration System plays a great role in simplifying the job of employees at the school and satisfying the need of students as well as other staff of the school.(Bargh, 2003).
There are a lot of benefits to derive in using computer as registration tool. The benefit which the staffs, students and the polytechnic will gain in using online registration includes:
- Accuracy
- Automation
- Speed
- Storage
- Fast retrieval of data
Manual Registration
Manual registration forms are produced and prepared by school management. Each department in the college has to provide their registration document at the beginning of each semester and the unused ones may be may be wasted after the registration in some cases. In some cases the form would not be ready for the students in time even if the form is ready the students has to join a long queue for them to collect their registration form which takes long time.
Web Programming
World Wide Web (web) is a collection of interconnected document and other resources, linked by hyperlinks and URLS. Web is one of the services accessible via the internet. Tim Berners –Lea director World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) and inventor of the World Wide Web cited “the power of the web is in its universality, access by everyone regardless of disability is an essential aspect”, (Tim, 2009). Now a day’s web application allows full interaction between visitor (user) and a database. User can fill up a form and send or submit and have a feedback fattening what he entered in the form. All this is possible with the use of dynamic web page.
World Wide Web (web) allows computer users to locate and view multimedia-based documents on almost any subject over the internet. Though the internet was developed decades ago, the web is a relatively recent creation. In 1989, Tim Berners-Lee of CERN (The European organization for nuclear research) began to develop a technology for sharing information via hyperlinked text documents. Burners-lee called his invention the Hyper Text Markup Language (HTML). He also wrote communication protocols to form the backbone of his new information system, which he called the World Wide Web. In particular, he wrote the Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) – a communication protocol used to send information over the web. Web use exploded with the availability in 1993 of the mosaic browser, which featured a user – friendly graphical interface.
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Introduction
This chapter provides an introduction to the methodology adopted and the justification on the chosen developmental model. The different phases of the model will be carefully analyzed; the chapter will then identifies and describes the tools used to perform the software development processes
Methodology
According to Encarta dictionary, Methodology is defined as methods or organizing principles underlying a particular art, science, or other area of study. In this context, it is the art of managing and controlling resources to achieve specific goals.
A methodology in software development is a framework that is used to structure, plan, and control the process of developing an information system. There are many methodologies that can be applied depending on its suitability to the project in question . They includes; Waterfall model, V-model, Incremental model, Rapid Application Development model, Proto type model, Spiral model, Agile model, Iterative model etc.
For the purpose of this research work the waterfall model is chosen as the methodology to develop the CRRS, below is a brief description on how the scope of each phases were visited in this research work.
CHAPTER FOUR
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Introduction
This chapter provides the findings of the research work. It begins with architectural design of the new system, user interfaces design comprising both input and output of the new system, database design of the new system and problem encountered in developing the new system. The chapter ends after a brief description on how the set objectives were achieved.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
Summary
The aim of this research project is to develop online registration portal that enable student to register online. This was done by taking Hassan Usman Katsina Polytechnic into consideration.
Online registration portal was developed after reviewing and analyzing the existing manual system at the investigation stage and dataflow diagrams to determine the requirements of the system.
The design was implemented using HTML, PHP and MYSQL, for the database files. The web site starts with the home page, followed by creating account page for new user, then registration forms. The home page has some links that allow navigation to various pages.
The chapters give briefs of how the design was carried out, the structure program and the content of the sites.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the project’s aim was achieved, which was design and implementation of online registration portal. The program was tested and it achieves the desired objectives. The application interface was made user friendly in such away that even a novice computer user will not have difficulty in using the application.
Recommendation
For the effective usage of this site and to have a good management of the system, it is necessary to train the staff on how to work with the application system. And also constant maintenance and modification is needed whenever the need arises.
REFERENCES
- Elizabeth N., Jason G., Yann Le S, Jeremey S, Michael K (2010) Beginning PHP5, Apache, and MYSQL Web Development Retrieved 09/2015 from www.wrox.com/WilleyCDA/WroxTitle/Beginning-PHP5-Apache-and-MySQL-Web-Development.productCd-0764579665.html
- Bargh J.D (2003, May, 07), Consequence of Online Systems in High Institution of Learning Retrieved from www.projectabstract.com/en/consequence_of_online_design.html
- Donna L. Baker (2003), HTML Complete Course, Retrieved 02, 2015 from www.homeandlearn.co.uk/WD/WebDesign.html
- Elizabeth Castro (2006), HTML, XHTML and CSS, 6th Edition, Retrieved 02, 2015 from www.homeandlearn.co.uk/WD/HTML-XHTML_CSs.html
- Heard M, Cook Paul and Paker U, Arnett Johnson and Posey W, Lonabocker White and Long Yung, Lisker (1987), Stages of Online Registration System Development, Retrieved 08, 2011 from www.computerhope.com/online_registration-development/review
- Michael, Chapman and Gambrell, Brown, Hengehold and Kim (1979), Stages of Online Registration System Development, Retrieved 08, 2011 from www.computerhope.com/online_registration-development/
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