1.

1 INTRODUCTION
Web Design is a process of conceptualization, planning, modelling, and execution
of electronic media content delivery via internet in the form of technologies (such
as mark languages) suitable for interpretation and display by a web browser or
other web-based graphical user interfaces (GUIs).
The intent of web design is to create a website (a collection of electronic files
residing on one or more web servers) that presents content (including interactive
features or interfaces) to the end user in the form of web pages once requested.
Such elements as text, forms, and bit-mapped images (GIFs, JPEGs, and PNGs) can
be placed on the page using HTML, XHTML, or XML tags. Displaying more complex
media (vector graphics, animations, videos, sounds) usually requires plug-ins such
as Flash, QuickTime, Java run-time environment, etc. Plug-ins are also embedded
into the web pages by using HTML or XHTML tags.
Improvements in the various browsers compliance with W3C standards prompted
a widespread acceptance of XHTML and XML in conjunction with Cascading Style
Sheets (CSS) to position and manipulate web page elements. The latest standards
and proposals aim to leading to the various browsers’ ability to deliver a wide
variety of media and accessibility options to the client possibly without employing
plug-ins.
Typically web pages are classified as Static or dynamic.
· Static pages don’t change content and layout with every request unless a
human (web master or programmer) manually updates the page.
· Dynamic pages adapt their content and/or appearance depending on the
end-users input or interaction or changes in the computing environment (user,
time database modifications, etc.) content can be changed on the client side (end-
users computer ) by using client-side scripting languages (JavaScript, Jscript,
Action script, media players and PDF reader plug-ins, etc.) to alter DOM elements
( DHTML). Dynamic content is often compiled on the server utilizing server-side
scripting languages (PHP, ASP, PERL, ColdFusion, JSP, Python, etc.). Both
approaches are usually in complex applications. With growing specialization
within communication design and information technology field, there is a strong
tendency to draw a clear line between web design specifically for web pages and
web development for the overall logistics.
1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
The Department of Computer Science plays a crucial role in any educational
institution, serving as a hub for technological innovation, research, and education.
With the growing reliance on digital technologies, the need for an effective
departmental website becomes paramount. This chapter provides an overview of
the rationale, objectives, and scope of designing and implementing a website for
the Computer Science Department.
1.2 Statement of the Problem
Today in the department, student details are entered manually. The student
details in separate records are tedious task. Referring to all these records and
updating is needed. There is a chance for more manual errors. The presence of so
many hands on computing the students information gives room for errors, but the
fewer the hands involved the less the errors
some of the problems are:
• Student details are entered manually.
• The student details in separate records are tedious task.
• Referring to all these records and updating is needed.
• There is a chance for more manual errors.
• The presence of so many hands on computing the students information
gives room for errors
The student details in separate records are tedious task. Referring to all these
records and updating is needed. There is a chance for more manual errors.
1.3 Aim and Objectives
The Aim of this project is to create a system whereby common educational
challenge can be tackled without much stress from the students or staffs.
Specific Objectives:
1. To create a platform that showcases the department's programs, courses,
faculty profiles, research projects, and events.
2. To improve communication and interaction between students, faculty, and the
public.
3. To provide a centralized repository for important departmental documents,
resources, and announcements.
4. Creating a system whereby students can copy and submit their assignments
online.
5. Gets information about their academic history without necessary going through
the course lecturer.
6. Keep records of all Students in all levels..
7. Automatic Generate student identification number which differs from the
matric numbers.
8. Administrators have total control on Site; he can delete or edit information.
1.4 Significance of the Study
The project work will help in a good number of ways to ease the delay in manual
departmental processing. The software developed will help the department to
achieve efficient information management system. It saves the stress of manual
collection of student details, database for registration and examination result is
maintained.
1.5 Scope of the Study
This system covers the general activities carried out by the departmental
administration officer. Some of these activities includes; managing of student
information, upload student assignments, time-tables, results. Also it publishes
course details which entail the course description, credit unit, course lecturer and
course syllabus. Keeping the students and staffs up-to-date with latest news and
most recent events is not left out by the system. This system also gives the student
the opportunity to keep their information up-to-date by allowing them to edit
their profiles.
1.6 Limitation of the Study
Each and every system has some limitations that can restrict them to work on a
particular environment. On the course of this study, the scope was narrowed
down to a few, based on the lack of adequate information concerning the existing
system. The Department withheld some information from me because of
confidentiality, some of those information withheld includes: Address, Date of
Birth, Phone Numbers and Address of Next of Kin. Also, the entire process of the
existing system (i.e manual departmental system) was not all spelt out. Based on
the fact that this system was narrowed down to the departmental level, little
information was not released by the Registry department.
1.7 Definition of Terms
Module – One of the parts of a Program
Portal – A dynamic site that allows access to so many modules
Database – A large store of data being held in a computer and is easily accessible
to a person
Synchronous – A form of transmission in which data is sent as a block using frames
or packets
Asynchronous – A form of transmission that transmit only one character at a time
and during transmission the character is preceded by a start bit and followed stop
bit that lets the receiving device known where a character begins and ends
Stud Id – Abbreviation for Student Identification Number
Black List – Lists that contains students that are either academically lowor have
academic indiscipline.
LMS – Learning Management System
VLS – Virtual Learning Environment
DFD – Data Flow Diagram

CHAPTER TWO:
LITERATURE REVIEW
2.0 INTRODUCTION
This chapter will review existing literature on website design principles, best
practices in academic department websites, user experience design, content
management systems, and relevant technologies.
2.1 Review of Related works
Review of Related works In 2013 Graziadei, W.D., et al., published an
article entitled "Building Asynchronous and SynchronousTeaching-Learning
Environments:Exploring a Course/Classroom Management System Solution". They
described a process at the State University of New York (SUNY) of evaluating
products and developing an overall strategy for technology-based course
development and management in teaching-learning. The product(s) had to be
easy to use and maintain, portable, replicable, scalable, and immediately
affordable, and they had to have a high probability of success with long-term cost-
effectiveness. Serdiukov (2014), therefore suggested three new models of online
web-based college management system, which are:
• Teacher-students: This is the traditional model for education with a face
between the teacher and the students.
• Teacher-computer-students: The teacher–student’s model has been
transformed into the Teacher-Computer–Student model, which has more
advantages because it gives accommodation for Student- computer,
Student- Teacher and Teacher–Computer interaction.
• Computer–Student: This model terminates live human presence, which
means there is no Teacher–Student contact time. There is an interaction of
teaching, learning and enabling elements on the World Wide Web that
facilitate cognitive change in learners (Rogers, 2014).
Patterson (2015) conducted a post-examination survey of students
completing an online exam. The study “found a large majority of students were
able to easily access the online exam, found the testing tool easy to use, and were
able to complete the comprehensive exam with little difficulty. The future use of
online assessment for the comprehensive exam was supported by 87% of
respondents.” Furthermore, Patterson found that the “Web-based comprehensive
exam procedures employed made it possible for students to take the exam at the
time and place of their choosing”. The exam was able to reduce stress for students
by giving them the ability to choose time and location of taking the exam
according to Patterson. Patterson (2015) also acknowledged that the “challenges
to test items security and the creation of procedures to minimize the possibility of
collaboration and cheating on this type of "high-stakes" examination remains to
be fully met.
According to Sara Bennet (2009), Learning Management Systems are
referred to by several names, including course management systems, virtual
learning environments (VLE), and elearning courseware. The term LMS is more
frequently used in the majority of US based publications and VLE is more
frequently used in Europe and Asia (Weller, 2007). For the purposes of this report,
the term LMS is used synonymously with VLE. A University LMS consists of many
interlinked components, as illustrated below (Wise and Quealy 2006): LMSs
resemble other systems designed for e-commerce, human resources and student
records, but what makes an LMS unique is its functionality and instructional
nature. Ellis describes a ‘robust’ LMS as a system which has the ability to:
1. Centralise and automate administration
2. Use self-service and self-guided services
3. Assemble and deliver learning content rapidly
4. Consolidate training initiatives on a scalable web-based platform
5. Support portability and standards
Steinman (2020) also found that “many students choose to enroll in online
courses and the demand for online courses is high. Taking an online course can
provide educational experiences that would otherwise be unavailable, especially
for students who live in rural areas and do not have convenient access to schools.”
Rowh (2007) also found that “online courses offer convenient learning and those
students who take online classes are working hard. They're just doing it at their
own pace, on a schedule and in a setting that works for them.” Walker (2007)
indicates that the “widespread availability of computers and the Internet provide
considerable enrichment in terms of variety of material and formats for
presentation over what was possible with the old correspondence courses”. The
Chronicle for Higher Education (2007) reported that a university stated that they
“use electronic education to add on to their curriculum, not as the main basis.”
This lends to the implementation of an online exam into a traditional classroom
where students still get the face-to-face interaction with the instructor and
classmates but the control of time and location to take their exams.
A recent meta-analysis of student educational outcomes from online learning
found that, on average, students in online learning conditions performed
modestly better than those receiving face-to-face instruction (US Department of
Education Office of Planning Evaluation and Policy Development. 2010). The
difference between student outcomes for online and face-to-face classes was
larger in those studies contrasting conditions that blended elements of online and
face-to-face instruction with conditions taught entirely face-to-face. The authors
noted that these blended conditions often included additional learning time and
instructional elements not received by students in control conditions. This finding
suggests that the positive effects associated with blended learning should not be
attributed to the media per se, and that engagement with instructors is important
(US Department of Education Office of Planning Evaluation and Policy
Development. 2010). Similarly, Mersham (2009) comments that to be effective, e-
learning must put into practice an e-pedagogy that relates to social interaction
and collaboration. However, communication opportunities in e-learning are
under-used and ineffective when they are grafted onto courses that are rooted in
pedagogic models and practices with which they are incompatible. This project
examines and discusses the problems, challenges and Benefits of implementing
web-based college management system in the country, by reviewing the
consciousness and willingness of the selected Colleges. This study also identifies
the enabling factors, the traffic-jam and, forecasts the future growth of web-based
college management system in Nigeria colleges. Survey research method was
adopted for the study, and questionnaire was the only instrument used for the
data collection. The findings of the study show that out of the 18 colleges selected
from different specialization areas, i.e three colleges from each Geopolitical zone,
only 12 responded with usable answers. The response rate was 67%, which is an
expected rate for such surveys. Awareness of web-based college management
system among the colleges in Nigeria is very high but investment and commitment
to develop a web-based college application is very poor and below expectation
according to the study. Most of the staff and students in the colleges only use
Internet related college information site just for the sake of finding related
information for their researches, since their libraries cannot afford to provide
them with adequate and current materials, but not for the sake of real online
college management system. The study also found out that some of the colleges
have web pages and others are in the trend of creating a web page, which is
usually for advertisement of the colleges but not for the entire web-based college
management system activities. Furthermore, the findings also reveal that staff and
the students have also been using email and Internet in addition to developing
web pages for transaction of students.
Web-based college management system comprises all forms of electronically
supported college system and information. The information and communication
systems, whether networked college system or not, serve as specific media to
implement the college information process. The term will still most likely be
utilized to reference out-of-classroom and in-classroom educational experiences
via technology, even as advances continue in regard to devices and curriculum.
According to Sara Bennet (2009), Learning Management Systems are
referred to by several names, including course management systems, virtual
learning environments (VLE), and learning courseware. The term LMS is more
frequently used in the majority of US based publications and VLE is more
frequently used in Europe and Asia (Weller, 2007).

CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOY
3.0 INTRODUCTION
The project will follow a mixed-methods approach, incorporating both qualitative
and quantitative research methods. Qualitative methods will be used to gather
user requirements and feedback, while quantitative methods will be used to
analyze website usage data.
The objective of a research work, the nature of items of information, operational
possibility and the cost that can will be involved determine to great extent the
method of data collection. Although, there are many methods of data collection
such as library research, interview, questionnaire, sampling technique,
observation etc. The research concentrates on the library research and interview
as the best method of data collection.
3.1 RESEARCH DESIGN
Utilizing a mixed-methods research design will involve conducting surveys,
interviews, and usability testing to gather user requirements and feedback.
Qualitative data will provide insights into user preferences, while quantitative data
can help in measuring user satisfaction and website performance.
3.2 DEVELOPMENT METHODOLOGY
Adopting an iterative and incremental development methodology, such as Agile or
Scrum, will enable the development team to prioritize tasks, collaborate
effectively, and respond to changing requirements throughout the project
lifecycle. Regular feedback loops and sprint reviews will ensure continuous
improvement and stakeholder engagement.
3.3 METHOD OF DATA COLLECTION
One of the major decisions a researcher must take before going into any research
study is the selection of suitable technique that will serve his purpose. In' order to
select an appropriate technique, the researcher has to consider the cost of data
collection, time available and the nature of the study that will be convenient.
Considering the criteria mentioned above for selection of a suitable method of
collecting data, the research and personal interview with the head of the
department (computer science, nuhu bamalli polytechnic zaria) were adopted as
the methods of carrying out the research.
These are the following of data collection
• Personal interview with the head of the department (HOD)
• Existing projects on the research topic
• Interview with departmental class chairman and other students of the
department
3.4 PROGRAMMING TECHNIQUE USED
The program is developed using web-side and database to keep all the
departmental but the student and the staff information. However, it is design to
be run on a machine installed with XAMPP server V3.2.1, my SQL will be utilized
for this research.
Overall data flow diagram of the proposed system
Data Flow Diagram of the Existing System The data flow of the existing system
refers to movement on information and how the information relates within the
student, lecturer, administration officer and the information bank (usually the file
cabinet).
3.5 DESIGN OF SYSTEM
The system design can be said to be a plan showing how something is done.
Thus an attempt .shallbe made to explain fully the processes that are involved in
the implementation of the new development of the web-side of department of
computer science, Nuhu Bamalli Polytechnic Zaria. It is based on this design that
the actual system can be developed and implemented.
3.6 USER TESTING
Incorporating user testing at various stages of website development is crucial for
validating design decisions, identifying usability issues, and improving overall user
experience. Conducting usability tests with representative users can provide
valuable insights for optimizing the website's layout, navigation, and content
presentation.
DATA FLOW DIAGRAM OF THE EXISTING SYSTEM
3.7 INPUT SPECIPICATION
The first step in this section is to design an input layout which will give the
incumbent user an idea of what every section of programmed is posed to
accomplish and what data to feed in.
The program is to have data to feed in the type of operation to be carried out, will
be determine by choosing the appropriate menu option by clicking using a mouse.
The input' data required for choosing these menu items apart from using mouse is
cursor movement key (Up arrow, Down arrow, Home, End, page-up and Page
Down) to the appropriate menu option.
The above however are not the only input data that are required by the program.
In fact they only lead to where the actual data will be fed. Below is a detail
description of some key words of input data in this program.
OPERATION OF THE NEW DEPARTMENAL WEB SIDE
This is the detail explanation of the system on the type of job it required to do, the
passing of control in the system, the type of data used, the type of processing
needed and requirement output or report. All this are showing the reliability of
the system. The program has main menu interface which could allow a user to
have good interaction with the web-side and the database.
3.4 PROGRAMMING TECHNIQUE USED
The program is developed using web-side and database to keep all the
departmental but the student and the staff information. However, it is design to
be run on a machine installed with XAMPP V3.2.1.
The departmental web-site was chosen for the reason as follows:
• Simplicity
• User friendly
• Efficient error trapping routines
• It has good file management capacities
• It is very easy to use, maintain, document and modify.
• It can be run on any machine having XAMPP V3.2.1 and above.