It System Proposal, 2018
It System Proposal, 2018
It System Proposal, 2018
DECLARATION
This project is our original work and has not been presented in any other university.
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JAMES MUSEMBI MUTHOKA
REG NO:0101/LCK/BS/201
Signature............... Date..............
This project has been submitted for examination with my approval as University Supervisor.
MR JIMMY MAKAU
Signature .............Date..............
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
We have taken efforts in this proposal. However, it would not have been possible without the
kind support and help of many individuals and organizations. We would like to extend our
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sincere thanks to all of them. We would like to express our gratitude and thanks to our supervisor
Mr. Jimmy Makau for being with us all through during the formulation of the project.
Table of Contents
DECLARATION.............................................................................................................................................ii
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT................................................................................................................................iii
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LIST OF FIGURES........................................................................................................................................vii
ABSTRACT.................................................................................................................................................viii
1.1 BACKROUND OF THE STUDY.................................................................................................................1
1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM.............................................................................................................4
1.3 RESEARCH QUESTIONS.........................................................................................................................4
1.4 JUSTIFICATION......................................................................................................................................4
1.5 OBJECTIVES...........................................................................................................................................5
1.5.1 General objective........................................................................................................................5
1.5.2 Specific objectives:.....................................................................................................................5
CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW.........................................................................................................6
2.1 INTRODUCTION.....................................................................................................................................6
2.2 SYTEM REVIEW.....................................................................................................................................6
2.2.1 The University of Queensland revision and e-learning system...................................................6
2.2.2 Khan academy online revision system........................................................................................7
2.2.3 Multimedia corporate resource mobile E-revision app...............................................................8
2.2.4 Online web-based revision system..............................................................................................9
2.3 Critique of the Existing Literature Relevant to the Study....................................................................9
CHAPTER 3: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY....................................................................................................9
3.1 Introduction..........................................................................................................................................9
3.2 Population and Study Sample.............................................................................................................10
3.3 Sample Size and Selection of Sample.................................................................................................10
3.4 Sources of data...................................................................................................................................10
3.4.1 Questionnaire............................................................................................................................10
3.4.2 Interviews.................................................................................................................................11
3.5 Data management........................................................................................................................12
3.6 Data analysis strategies....................................................................................................................12
3.7 Choice of software development models to be used........................................................................12
3.7.1 Rapid Application Development (RAD)...................................................................................12
3.8 FACT FINDING APPROACH..................................................................................................................14
3.9 LOGICAL DESIGN.................................................................................................................................14
3.9.1 Activity diagram.......................................................................................................................14
3.9.2 Use case diagram......................................................................................................................16
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3.9.3 Sequence diagram.....................................................................................................................17
3.10 Software tools to be used.................................................................................................................17
3.11 Assumptions of the study.................................................................................................................18
3.12 Limitations of the study....................................................................................................................18
3.12.1 Resources................................................................................................................................18
3.12.2 Time........................................................................................................................................18
CHAPTER FOUR.........................................................................................................................................19
4.1 Implementation and Testing..............................................................................................................19
4.2 Requirement analysis.........................................................................................................................19
4.3 Functional requirements....................................................................................................................19
4.3.1 Student registration...................................................................................................................19
4.3.2 Student verification...................................................................................................................19
4.3.3 Login........................................................................................................................................20
4.3.4 Administrator’s control panel...................................................................................................20
4.4 Non-functional requirements.............................................................................................................21
4.4.1 Operational requirements..........................................................................................................21
4.4.2 Performance requirements........................................................................................................21
4.4.3 Look and feel requirement........................................................................................................21
4.4.4 Scalability requirements...........................................................................................................21
4.5 Testing.................................................................................................................................................22
This will involve actual execution of the program code using representation test data sets to exercise
program and output examined to detect any deviation from the expected output. It involves:...........22
4.5.1 Objectives of Testing................................................................................................................22
4.5.2 Unit testing...............................................................................................................................22
4.5.3 Integration testing.....................................................................................................................22
4.5.4 System testing...........................................................................................................................23
4.5.5 Acceptance testing....................................................................................................................23
4.5.6 System maintenance.................................................................................................................25
4.5.7 Adaptive maintenance:.............................................................................................................25
4.5.8 Corrective maintenance:...........................................................................................................25
4.5.9 Perfective maintenance:............................................................................................................25
CHAPTER FIVE...........................................................................................................................................26
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5.0 CONLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION..............................................................................................26
5.1 CONCLUSION.......................................................................................................................................26
5.2 RECOMMENDATION...........................................................................................................................27
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................................28
APPENDICES..............................................................................................................................................29
APPENDIX A: PROJECT BUDGET................................................................................................................29
APPENDIX B: PROJECT SCHEDULE.............................................................................................................30
QUESTIONNAIRE.......................................................................................................................................31
LIST OF FIGURES
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FIGURE 2.1 THE UNIVERSITY OF QUEENSLAND REVISION AND E-LEARNING SYSTEM..................6
FIGURE 2.2 KHAN ACADEMY ONLINE REVISION SYSTEMS.......................................................................7
FIGURE 2.3 MULTIMEDIA CORPORATE RESOURCE MOBILE E-REVISION APP..................................8
FIGURE 3.1 RAD DIAGRAM..................................................................................................................................13
TABLE 4.1 FUNCTIONALITIES OF SYSTEM....................................................................................................22
FIGURE 4.5: SIGNIFICANT CHART....................................................................................................................23
TABLE 4.3 EASE OF NAVIGATION.....................................................................................................................24
FIGURE 4.6: NAVIGATION CHART.....................................................................................................................24
TABLE 4.4 IMPROVEMENT OF SYSTEM...........................................................................................................25
FIGURE 4.7: IMPROVEMENT CHART................................................................................................................25
PROJECT BUDGET..................................................................................................................................................29
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ABSTRACT
The internet is the most seen and used platform in academics today. The main aim of an online
revision is to digitally enable students and researchers to access information and resources for
academic and research purposes.
An online revision is a web-based application intended to help students who cannot access the
libraries or other physical sources of information. The main objective of this web application is
to make learning interactive and easy access to information. It would make academic work easier
given that it is considering all the students who are far from school library and those who cannot
access the resource materials they want from the library because the resources are scarce.
In this project we have developed an online revision website for students in higher levels of
learning. The system will basically be implemented on a web server with a backed MySQL
database (php MyAdmin page) and a web browser as the front client (local host).
In development of this project, we concentrated on object oriented php framework as an open
source customization. We again used programming languages such as Hyper Text Markup
language (HTML), preprocessor Hypertext (php) and Cascading Style Sheet (CSS3) and a
relational database management system (MySQL).
The project has a goal to develop an online revision website where students can download notes
and revision past papers for exams in various courses. The documentation will discuss in detail
how each of the following technologies will be implemented on an online revision website.
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CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION
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Pepe Minambo is a well-known and respectable motivator with the book “inspire before you
expire” which has played a key role in shaping the readers perspective to revision and education
as a whole. Students tend to easily forget so this problem would be greatly solved by continuous
motivation. Other forms of motivation apply take for instance rewarding the student for a job
well done, let’s say accumulation of points that will reflect on the final transcript or a gift
package to the winner, this brings out the competitive side to most of the Students. Try
rewarding any student in class with some money and see how lively the class would be.
Some institutional systems don’t favor revision as a kind of measure that ought to be put under
great emphasis so they tend to focus more on other educational issues neglecting what might be
the most important aspect of it. Lack of proper planning are among issued that need to be dealt
with to help avert this problem like not adequately revising. This focuses on what is required for
a particular activity. A simple farmer’s work can’t begin if he/she doesn’t have the necessary
tools to partake in his work. Necessary stationary, resource material and platform is necessary for
efficient revision exercise. To help solve on this challenge students are assigned to particular
peer study groups to help them cover up on what wasn’t clearly understood in class or undertake
in some assignment. Clearly two heads prove to be better than one.
Boredom during revision usually kicks in especially if one has spent a lot of time on one thing
and this may lead to a gradual decline in revision. Ultimately what loses track of what he/she has
covered and with the boredom revision wouldn’t be an option. Having a picture on the wall of
ones future expectation such as a dream house, desired body shape or even a lovely family gives
one the motivation and the drive to effortlessly partake in the activity that would get one there.
To curb this, revision is made fun, in that it takes the boredom out of the presumably so serious
revision.
Globally, these systems have been developed to help create a revision platform that brings
together peers to sharing ideas via ICT. Basically it composes of a communication portal
developed with added features PowerPoint with supporting answer sheet, exam questions wiki or
word mats to help facilitate an efficient revision atmosphere. Most campus institutions globally
have taken that initiative to help its students cope with cumbersome courses. A united kingdom
based company and an award winner for innovators of e-commerce Fishers education limited has
developed a mathematics revision system for secondary schools that is easily accessible on. India
has developed systems that provide a real life interaction of students and top quality professors
such as Farooq haque classes.
This system will help the long distance learning and revision of the different fields of study,
offering clarity to doubts about queries that can easily be solved by contacting the professors via
texts or emails.
With the incorporation of ICT with our day to day activities there has been a global network all
around the world, trading systems, educational systems, social interaction systems and the like.
With this it revolutionizes education as we know it; electronic learning has come a long way.
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Khan academy has also provided a platform for its users situated all around the world to easily
access online resource materials as well as a revision area.
Other similar systems developed are used to revise on courses to student waiting to enroll in
tertiary institutions such as kuccps; this provides an interactive nature between the course and the
student. This seems to meet some of our local needs here in Kenya by providing satisfactory
services to our candidates. Local tertiary institutions such as St. Paul’s university has provided an
online interactive system that helps the local students to access online research material, and a
platform to share ideas with other students.
In our institution Taita Taveta University various measures are under way to help curb this issue
of revision to help improve in ones performance since it plays a pretty big role. Systems are
being developed to help and assist reduce difficulty in doing assignments as well as
examinations. Bringing the faculty and students together brings about an improved relationship,
better clarity on issues and an immediate feedback. In a few years to come, online learning and
revision will be as common as having a lecturer physically around, long distance learning will be
simplified; all this with the development of new ideas in the ICT department.
Taking a trip down memory lane we find that revision was an exercise that was practiced from
way back in pre-school. This was done in form of songs and poems sang and recited on daily
basis as a childhood measure to help in understanding of what was taught in class better.
Revision was done after each minor examination to help with the preparation of the final
examination. Special rewards were given to those who will excel due to consistent revision. This
brings us to the concept of tailoring revision systems now to their rightful users.
For our current revision system the main beneficiaries to it would be BBIT students as well as
the lecturers i.e. having both parties learn from each other. It will provide a platform with which
a simple login as an access restriction. A student will have access to required resource material,
interactive sessions between them and their peers, predicted questions to specific courses; those
likely to come to the final examinations, word mats alphabetically arranged for easy accessibility
to topics, power points with adjacent answers.
This will benefit the users in that revision and curb boredom. No specific requirement are needed
other than computer literacy and an authorized access entry. It does not restrict users to this
confined area, but whosoever has the logins.
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1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
In a broader perspective, students have been facing a series of challenges and inconveniences by
not adopting the current technology. This has made the students not to get facts and ideas which
are vital concepts applied not only in class work but also in the job market.
Currently, the mode of revision and study requires the students to physically appear in the library
to borrow books and past revision papers which are given for a short-term period and at the same
time being inadequate to cater for the demand of the students. This has created a battery of
problems one of them being time wastage which is a scarce resource for a student.
Initially, students depended on lecture class notes in printed form and others in softcopy to be
printed. Most of these notes give shallow information since it’s a simple extract meant to guide
the student in doing more research in the libraries. The cost of printing and photocopying the
notes among the student has also posted a big challenge to them since some of them even
struggle to survive in the university hence cannot afford that.
There is need for the students to access the online revision system for quality revision and
research purposes which is a reliable and quick source of information.
1.4 JUSTIFICATION
The internet has been used as a research platform by scholars though it’s not effective because it
provides searches which if not well looked at can give misleading information. Therefore,
coming up with this system will give students the exact information they are looking for and
which is relevant to their requirements of study.
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1.5 OBJECTIVES
1.5.1 General objective:
To analyze the current manual system with the aim to provide an automated revision system,
design an interactive revision system for Taita Taveta University.
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CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 INTRODUCTION
Although there exists other online learning platforms where online revision and access to
learning materials and resources are found, this has proven to be unreliable to some of the users
who are looking for information. The researcher therefore tends to discuss on some of the online
revision systems in learning institutions across the world that relate to this project.
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2.2.2 Khan academy online revision system
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2.2.3 Multimedia corporate resource mobile E-revision app
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resource they want to access that is either revision past papers or lecture notes. The student will
then choose either to view the document or download. The system will have simple functionality
for easy understanding by the user. The system has no security issues because it’s well managed
by the administrator. Maintenance of the system is simple as well as updating the data. The
system will only provide the resource materials relevant to the programs offered in the
University unlike the other systems which provide many searches which may make it difficult
for the user to know exactly what they are looking for.
2.3 Critique of the Existing Literature Relevant to the Study
Both systems provide an access control measure that ensures only registered users i.e. both
students and lecturers have access to the resource materials. Different users subscribe to different
Packages according to ones requirements. Having resource materials like tutorials accessible on
YouTube for efficiency has also improved the systems goals.
3.1 Introduction
The chapter covers the research methodology that the research will be using in the study ,this
includes the overview, population of the study ,sampling, sources of data ,collection of data, data
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management, data analysis strategies, software development models choices, software tools,
assumptions of the study and limitation of the proposal methodology.
3.4.1 Questionnaire
A Questionnaire is used because it provides an inexpensive method of gathering data from a
large number of people, allowing individuals to maintain their identity (anonymity) hence they
can provide real facts.
The questions will be presented consistently to all the respondents without bias and interview
because they happen to be the most effective and appropriate for this project. It has four main
objectives.
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c) To collect information on the application environment such as type of the devices
available to users to access the internet.
d) To get views on what the targeted users expect the system to do (functional
requirements).
A questionnaire was conducted to gauge opinions on the current processes. This approach was
chosen over an interview or focus group because although these two methods would gather more
in-depth information, the number of people that could contribute would be limited. A
questionnaire can be sent out to many people, and a well-structured set of questions will be able
to extract the appropriate level of detail required from the respondents. In addition, a higher
quantity of responses would be obtained and individuals would maintain their identity
(anonymity) hence they can provide real facts.
3.4.2 Interviews
In Quantitative proposal (survey proposal), interviews are more structured than in Qualitative
proposal. In a structured interview, the proposal asks a standard set of questions and nothing
more.
Interviews can be:
i. Face -to -face interviews.
ii. Telephone interviews.
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The developer carried out the face to face interview with the management team at the TTU
University to find out the problems they are facing with the current system as well as their
expectations of the new system.
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Into working models. User Design is a continuous interactive process that allows
users to understand, modify, and eventually approve a working model of the system
to the SDLC. In RAD, however, users continue to participate and can still suggest
changes or improvements as actual screens or reports are developed. Its tasks are
testing.
4. Cutover phase – resembles the final tasks in the SDLC implementation phase,
including data conversion, testing, changeover to the new system, and user training.
Compared with traditional methods, the entire process is compressed. As a result, the new
system is built, delivered, and placed in operation much sooner. Its tasks are data
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1) System designers. This is the team which designs the systems before it’s developed and
tested. It’s very important because it ensures that the system is simple to use by the users. They
can easily interact with it without any complications.
2) System administrator. This is the person who is responsible for the maintenance and
implementation of the system. We needed to seek advice from him so that he/she may know
whether the proposed project will be compatible with the other systems and to ensure that it will
be maintainable with his/her absence.
3) Executive sponsor. We needed to know the financial status of the system sponsor so that we
may not come up with so costly projects or system.
The followings are the reasons as to why we proposed to use the JAD methodology:
JAD decreases time and costs associated with requirements elicitation process. During 2-4 weeks
information not only is collected, but requirements agreed upon by various system users, are
identified.
JAD sessions help bring experts together giving them a chance to share their views, understand
views of others, and develop the sense of project ownership.
The methods of JAD implementation are well-known, as it is "the first accelerated design
technique available on the market and probably best known", and can easily be applied by any
organization.
Easy integration of CASE tools into JAD workshops improves session productivity and provides
systems analysts with discussed and ready to use models.
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New member admin
Delete
Request to delete record details Delete records
Response
Registration
New user
Admin
Approval for registration
Member
Login
Manage the database
Request new
resource material
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New member Request for registration Admin
Member
get authentication
logins
login
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lecturer. The lecturers will not give tasks to students which require reference from other source
apart from the one provided.
3.12.1 Resources
Being students and not having sources of income, we had to sacrifice a lot as to get enough
money to carry out the study.
3.12.2 Time
Due to the limited time given we had to spend sleepless nights so as to work on the proposal.
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CHAPTER FOUR
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Figure 4.2 student verification page
4.3.3 Login
This module will allow students to login to the system so as to view the available revision
resource in websites for their respective units and courses too. It will also lock out anyone who is
not registered member i.e. Taita Taveta University student.
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Figure 4.4 Administrator control panel page
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4.5 Testing
This will involve actual execution of the program code using representation test data sets to
exercise program and output examined to detect any deviation from the expected output. It
involves:
4.5.1 Objectives of Testing
1. Build quality in the system developed.
2. Demonstrate the working capabilities of your system.
3. Assess progress and suitability of the system.
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4.5.4 System testing
This involves testing the system as a whole to ensure that it delivers expected services.
Object 2
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4.5.5.2 Ease of navigating current students online revision portals
The following were the responses given when asked whether the information conveyed in the
current students online revision portal were easy to navigate and understand.
Table 4.3 Ease of navigation
Ease of Navigation Frequency Percent Cumulative Percent
Strongly Agree 8 16 16
Agree 7 14 30
Disagree 10 20 50
Strongly Disagree 25 50 100
Total 50 100 100
Object 5
Strongly Agree 12 24 24
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Agree 30 60 84
Disagree 2 4 88
Strongly Disagree 6 12 100
Total 50 100 100
Object 8
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CHAPTER FIVE
5.1 CONCLUSION
The adjustment of the existing supplying materials for revision has been successfully
implemented. Also the system was examined and implemented in a teaching process what made
concentration of different abilities possible:
i. Combined revision on different units in their respective course in a classical way.
ii. Unlimited space content distribution and all time access to learning and revision resources.
iii. Ability to follow and register students’ work and check their knowledge.
iv. Different forms of communication and management among the users.
v. Ability to organise and manage different study programmes.
It was shown that the system is useful for preparing the students for teaching, a reminder on
learning material, as a means to give practical tasks in digital form and gathering solution and
on-line tests realisation. Except the already existing communication forms (face to face during
teaching, in time of consultation, via e-mail or news group) that were already available before,
through the use of additional computer network, “Online revision” enables the electronic
communication among students group, thematic Internet chat in real time, thematically led forum
tied to virtual classes or particular seminars and system for exchanging short messages that look
like e-mail.
Concerning the advantages when we talk about lecturers, the evidence and organisation of
teaching is much easier as well as following teaching activities and activities of particular student
course and formalising learning contents.
Negative part of the researching results is determined by technical condition of computer-server
work for online revision. The system may not be satisfying in terms of performances or what we
prescribe to as weak hardware system base.
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In this plan it is expected a new aspect of communication between mentor and students or
students among themselves will be formed.
the fact that also with the users that are inclined to ICT can happen the saturation of learning
which is deprived of interaction with people. It is obvious that the learning process and
knowledge transmission is much more complex than just presenting facts. Learning by the
machine support is undoubtedly a social and includes defined human needs. But in any case
online revision system and distance learning as a form of knowledge transmission will develop
further and specially in the individual learning direction. Examining the quality and users’
satisfaction shown in this paper, gives reason for being optimistic and to continue with using
such systems. Learning and the form of its realisation will further follow the technological trends
so we can expect the further increase of application and some new forms of its implementation,
but for now the technology does not have power for cancelling the classroom learning process
and revision too.
In “deluge” of such approaches, this is one of the possible ways in which the institutions can
build their own system. The presentation of developing the own system by the method of
prototype based on the users demands and SCORM concept implementation, represents a
contribution to the future efforts to promote the learning process by the use of ICT.
5.2 RECOMMENDATION
The following recommended enhancements would make the system much better.
Development of an android system for functionality in android devices. This is
because many students today use android phones.
The development of an android application would meet the demands of a
potential user.
Widening of the system scope- Making the system to accommodate the whole of
scope of Kenyan Universities offering similar courses would be a great deal
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REFERENCES
Celeste S., (2006). The Advantages of PHP URL,
http://www.designersplayground.com/articles/118/1/The-Advantages-of-PHP/Page1.html
20.06.2012
Dani McKinney, Jennifer L. Dyck, Elise S. Luber, It unes University and the classrooms:
can podcasts replace professor, computer and education, volume 52, issue 3, April 2009,
pages 617-623
https://www.elearning.uq.edu.au
http://wwww. Multi-mediacorporateresource.com
https://www.khanacademy.org
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rapid_application_development
Object oriented analysis and design en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Object-
oriented_analysis_and_design
“non-profit explorer – ProPublica” retrieved 2015-11-07
Sommervile Ian (1995).software Engineering (III ED);Addison-Wesley Publishing Co.
Inc, Surajit Chaudhuri, IEEE Computer Society (1998). Data Mining and Database
Systems: Where is the Intersection?, in Bulletin of the IEEE Computer Society Technical
Committee on Data Engineering.
Sommervile Ian (1995).software Engineering (III ED);Addison-Wesley Publishing Co.
Inc, Surajit Chaudhuri, IEEE Computer Society (1998). Data Mining and Database
Systems: Where is the Intersection?, in Bulletin of the IEEE Computer Society Technical
Committee on Data Engineering.
Walsham G., (1993). Interpreting Information Systems in Organisations. New York,
USA. Wiley & Sons Inc.
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APPENDICES
1 INTERNET 1500
2 LUNCH 1500
3 STATIONARY 3000
5 MISCELLENEOUS 3000
TOTAL 14000
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APPENDIX B: PROJECT SCHEDULE
Work schedule
Topic
identification
Approval of
topic
Research
Chapter1
presentation
Chapter 2
presentation
Chapter3
presentation
Proposal
submission
Project
submission &
presentation
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QUESTIONNAIRE
Instructions: For each of the statements below, please put tick [√] in the box that best
describes yourself or you and your opinion concerning online revision system.
Section two
6. In your opinion is the information provided by the existing revision systems significant?
8. In your opinion do students benefit in any way from the existing students revision systems?
9. In your opinion how often do students visit the library for revision?
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