DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION OF A WEB ENABLED ONLINE TUTORIAL (A CASE STUDY OF NATIONAL OPEN UNIVERSITY OF NIGERIA)

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of study

In this section, we will look into visual basic (VB) and the case study; National open university of Nigeria.

Visual basic (VB) is the third generation event-driven programming language and integrated development environment (IDE) from Microsoft for its programming model. Visual basic is also considered as a relative easy to learn and use programming language, because of its graphic development features and basic heritage. Visual basic was derived from BASIC and enables the rapid application development (RAD) of graphical user interface (GUI) applications access to database using Data Access objects, Data objects, or active data objects and creation of active X controls and objects.

With every little effort, the programmer can design a screen that holds standard windows elements such as command buttons, check boxes, option buttons, text boxes and list boxes. Each of these windows objects operators as expected, producing a “standard” windows user interface.

Visual basic is easy to learn, which makes it an excellent tool for understanding elementary programming concepts. In addition, it has evolved into such a powerful and popular product that skilled visual basic programmers are in demand in the job market.

The purpose of this project topic on design and implementation of a web enabled visual basic tutorial is to present to student with a big picture on visual basic online teaching or tutorial so that students of National Open University of Nigeria can be able to go the website and learn the application of VB and its importance to human existence. It enables the students to learn at their own pace.

In this chapter, we begin with a discussion of how the design of website on visual basic tutorial has traditionally been driven by the role they play and the services they provide. The problem of designing this website in order to provide services like learning and teaching are also considered. The general discussion of the designation of website on visual basic tutorial and the essential function they provide must be presented in this project.

Visual basic enables an individual to program easily. It is an object oriented programming language. It has tool bars, properties and other main menu that helps to create a beautiful project outlook.

Here is an example of the language: code snippet that displays a message box “hello world” as the window forms load.

Private sub form load ()

‘Execute a simple message box that will say “Hello world”

Msgbox “hello world”

End sub.

The National Open University of Nigeria is an ODL institution renowned for providing functional, flexible, accessible, cost-effective education adequate for flourishing in the 21^stcentury and beyond. Right from its first inception in July 1983, its mandate has remained to deliver university education at the doorstep of every interested Nigerian. The founding president, Alhaji Shehu Shagari, the first executive president of Nigeria, envisioned a university with the capacity to admit and meet the education and skill needs of citizens no matter their status and circumstances. This vision was predicated on the realization that a sustainable democracy, functional economy, happy and prosperous   people, all depend on knowledgeable citizens. Meeting the educational needs of such citizens in a highly populous country like’ Nigeria was beyond the capacity of Nigeria’s conventional higher institutions.

Despite its suspension in 1984 by the Federal Military Government that succeeded Alhaji Shehu Shagari, the resuscitation of NOUN in 2002 by the civilian regime of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, went side by side with the awakening of the vision that informed the initial establishment of the university. As a faithful trustee of the Nigerian people, NOUN leverages on Information and Computer Technologies to deliver an education tailored towards the globalised economy. The University offers  exceptional academic programs  that  meet  the specific needs of all sectors of the global economy, in the Arts; Health; Law; Physical, Social, Agricultural and Management Sciences.

In addition, they also offer evening programs courses and weekend programs courses.

In other words, this project case study will be centered on school of sciences, computer science and related departments like communications technology etc.

1.2              STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

In an institution like this, National Open University of Nigeria, the method of admission is very alarming for instance, in a department like Computer science, the number of intake of students are 500 or more for first semester, the second semester are almost 500 too, then those in masters of information technology respectively are close to 700, same applicable to all those in faculty of sciences.

In a situation like this, you find out that learning generally poses a big problem. This in turn forms constraints that will slow down the peace of growing versatile in area of academic.

Even in my course of research, I found out that there are other departments who ought to do the course, for instance faculty management sciences but owing to the constraints involved, I therefore drew out some problems that could be the cause.

1. FAULTY COMPUTERS:

Since the learning of visual basic requires practical, the students are limited from knowing how the program works because of some faulty computers in the lab. Sometimes, the students are made to stay 10 people each on one system, you know what that means, and concentration will be lost.

2. OVERCROWDING:

Like I said earlier, over population can hinder a student from learning. This is because, the atmosphere will be stuffy owing to the heat exerted from the bodies or skin of students. The environment will be un-conducive and sometimes seats are occupied and others.

1.3     PURPOSE OF THE STUDY

The purpose or aim of the study is to provide a website on visual basic online teaching where the students of National

Open University of Nigeria, will go and learn, make research, and gather facts on any information they want on VB. This will help to improve student’s attitude and make them to become good programmers despite their area of discipline in the institution.

Another point is also to enable student become versatile in all area of academic work. Since we are in the computer age, information and communication technology has cropped in every nook and cranny of this world. Even the illiterate ones have realized the applications of computers.

Learning visual basic in a big institution like this makes the students to understand all about object-oriented language. You can imagine students from the department of mass communication, political science, public administration etc writing a program on VB. This generally means that this website will enable the student to learn at ease, in a more conducive atmosphere without any obstruction or disturbance. As a matter of fact, the project is going to be hosted on the internet to allow students to browse through and thus enhance their intellectual capabilities and learn beyond the traditional classroom lecture.

1.4     SCOPE OF THE STUDY

The scope of this study will be strictly on school of sciences; precisely computer related departments, though schools can still have access to the teaching but in order to reduce the compellability of the science. This will be done to enable the students to be fully baked and grinded on this wonderful area of learning. So that when they enter the labor market, they will be expert on the field.

All computer students from 100 levels to 400 levels are free to go to the internet and browse, make research, practice what they have learnt inside the classroom teaching and still extend their knowledge on programming concept. This in turn will generally increase their skills, knowledge, vision and intelligence on the aspect of VB language.

1.5     SIGNIFICANCE OF STUDY

Since the purpose of this project is to design a website on visual basic tutorial, students will therefore benefit from this study as it serves so many goals or importance.

This site will provide to the students, the preliminary concept of programming and its importance.

It will enable students to design a project on their own like employee payroll of a company and writing codes.

It will make the students to be an expert in visual basic program and become a demand in the job market.

The learning of VB via the online lecture can enable one become a tutor, a consultant in firms like banks, schools because with the employment of a VB programmer, complex work is now lessen in the organization.

Get Full Project