A Virtual Learning with PHP Programming

Samonte, Jayvee
Technological Institute of the
Phililippines Quezon City
(0935)3305360
jayveegsamonte@yahoo.com

Morco, Roselia C.
Technological Institute of the
Phililippines Quezon City
Adviser

Ancheta, Desharimeeh

Technological Institute of the

Phililippines Quezon City
(0927)3790071
desharimeeh@gmail.com

Rosmina Joy Cabauatan

Technological Institute of the
Phililippines Quezon City
Research In-charge

Cabrera, Karen
Technological Institute of the
Phililippines Quezon City
(0993)4902620

ABSTRACT

KEYWORDS

The
developed
system
(E-Learning
Management System) is intended for I.T
students of Technological Institute of the
Philippines. It is an online tool that enables
student to access lessons, take axaminations
and do exercises virtually. This system
includes modules for Html, Css, Php and
mySql lessons. A Simulator is also included to
help students understand better the lessons
since they would be able to see actual output.
The system serves as a new teaching approach
which uses a new innovation to adopt to the
needs of the student as it could be a new way
to address the issue of self-paced learning.

E-Learning, Distance learning, Self-Paced

Learning, Interactive

CATEGORIES AND SUBJECT

DESCRIPTORS
E-Learning Management System, [Computers
and Education]: Computer Uses in Education
- Computer-assisted instruction (CAI).

GENERAL TERMS
Management, Performance

1. INTRODUCTION
E-learning and computerization of many
systems had come up to replace the manual
systems for a more efficient and accurate
computing. This cuts up tons of paper works
and now mostly those records and things we
wanted to see are just a few clicks away.
As with the progress of technology,
computerized learning system also come into
boom wherein the transfer of skills and
knowledge had made easier through webbased learning and virtual classrooms.
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.

1.1 Trends
The system will introduce a new way of
teaching through online access and distance
learning. The system would include modules
for basic and advance knowledge on PHP. The
topics will be presented in a way that after the
definitions and syntax there is a sample
program in a code simulator and the desired
output will be seen simultaneously as you edit
the code, this is for the student to grasp easily
what is being presented to them. The system
will also be flexible as instructors will be able
to add or update lessons depending on the
need or innovation. A log-in feature for
instructors will be provided to track
improvement and record of their students.
They will also be the one responsible in
giving authorized access to every enrolled
student to the course through a user database.
At the end of every module, there are
challenging exercises to assess the
improvement of each student.

1.2 Issues
With todays emerging evolution of the
internet, there is also a great demand for web
designers. PHP programming language is one
of the most widely used programming
language when it comes to web developing.
With the purpose of bringing easier access to
students who have the passion to create web
pages, the system will be a training ground for
them to enhance and develop their abilities.
Learning to develop web pages doesnt
merely require creativity and graphics
inclination, one must also learn the right
syntax and coding to be able to come up with
a good
output. The study will serve as a tutorial for
every student which they can access anywhere
and anytime they want. Theyll be able to
access lessons and navigate through them and

gives them the advantage of moving through

the lessons at their own pace.

1.3 Objectives
The main objective of this study is to create
an E-Learning system for PHP Programming
Language for the students of Technological
Institute of the Philippines.
1.3.1 Specific Objectives
Specifically, this study aims to:

Create lessons giving students

the chance to easily learn
codes/syntax with the system
through a code simulator.

Develop exercises to assess

improvement of each student.

Create precise summary sheets

of grades for students.

Design a system with the

flexibility of adding and
updating lessons according to
the need of the students.

Develop a forum to give

interaction and communication
between the students and the
professors.

Create a search tool for easy

tracking of topics and lessons.

1.4 Contributions to Research

Area / ICT
Its contribution to Research Area/ICT would
be as a new research that uses a new
technology to teach students virtually. It seek
comparative research into the strengths and
weakness of different ICT, especially the new
technologies integrated with face-to-face
environments,
to
investigate
the
characteristics of optimal blends for learning.

2. RELATED WORKS

2.1.2 Foreign Literature

In this chapter, the study presents related

information that was useful for the
development of the study. The literature and
studies presented were used in the assessment
of the system

E-learning courses are usually tailored to meet

the different demands that are entailed within
an online learning community. You are usually
free to study at your own time and pace, so
you have the opportunity to complete your
chosen course quickly or as slowly as you
want. There are no travel costs involved with
online education and no travel time
whatsoever. The only time you will need to
dedicate to your learning will be the time you
spend studying and any trips to the library or
other institution you may need. Many jobs and
careers demand a good working know-ledge
of the Internet, and by completing your course
online you are already many steps closer to
that end. You will have excellent knowledge
on Internet research; always being able to find
the information that is useful to you. [3] ELearning: Why choose online education? By
John Thompson, July 07, 2005

2.1.1 Local Literature

E-Learning is a revolutionary standard shift in
the field of learning that provides rapid access
to specific knowledge and information
through the computer.
It offers online
instruction that can be delivered anytime and
anywhere through a wide range of electronic
learning solutions such as Web-based
courseware, discussion groups, live virtual
classes, video and audio, Web chat,
simulations and mentoring.
It enables
organizations to transcend distance and other
organizational gaps by providing a cohesive
virtual learning environment. Educating and
training vendors, employees, partners and
clients is essential for competitiveness, and elearning can provide them just in time and in a
cost-effective way. The key component of Elearning includes learning management
systems, learning content management
system, and collaboration.[1]Albert Cruz of
Armatech Convergence, March 2011
E-learning
creates
flexible
learning
opportunities for students. As a student, elearning allows you to complete courses of
your choice from home or work without
physically attending lecture rooms. Through
e-learning, you are able to select courses of
your choice whenever needed and learn at
your own pace. This enables you to actively
pursue other areas of interest to you, rather
than sit through lectures aimed at the whole
group. E-learning also allows you to focus on
the courses you need and skip the ones you
dont need or have no interest in. [2]
http://articlime.com/article083663-benefitsonline-training.html, February 8, 2011

The fabulous success of the Internet, not just

as a communications or educational tool, but
as a business tool, has led to wide and quick
adoption of interoperable infrastructures and
platforms that facilitate and enhance the value
of the Web. Although late to the game,
learning technologies will be integrated into
our networks and applications to a point
where they will be taken for granted. Then,
learning and performance professionals will
once again be able to focus on designing and
delivering new and innovative solutions that
are more efficient and effective than we have
today.
While traditional e-learning and associated
technologies are important, practitioners have
often been too quick to embrace them,
especially to solve current problemsa"cure
all" mentalitywithout considering what
future challenges and consequences might be.
We should think of e-learning and learning
technology as enablers, not as a strategy. Its
the highway, not the destination; the means

rather than the ends. [4] E-Learning:

Strategies for Delivering Knowledge in the
Digital Age, Marc J. Rosenberg, Ph.D, March
2006

2.2 Related Studies

2.2.1 Local Studies
Miriam College e-Learning System (MCELS)
Miriam College E-Learning System is a
Virtual Learning Environment (VLE)
designed for students enrolled in the
Institution. Miriam College implements a
Blended e-Learning approach where students
will have the opportunity for both face to face
learning as well as online distance learning. It
is open to all students enrolled in the various
Units of Miriam College. The Institution
makes use of the blended learning approach
for teaching and learning. Every Courses for
students enrolled in the Institution will have
the opportunity to enjoy classroom teaching
and distance learning instruction through their
Learning system that is accessible only for
them. [5] http://mc-elearning.mc.edu.ph/,
accessed May 21, 2011
Yapster e-learning is the countrys leading elearning provider with a growing library of
over 1,500 courses on business and IT. They
are offering courses from global accredited
vendors, Yapster e-learning assures their
customers of updated and globally accepted
learning and training key in ensuring that the
Filipino is at par with its international peers.
Ednas School is innovating its curriculum
with the inclusion of over 1,000 e-learning
licenses on offer this school year in its
campuses in Dagupan, Pangasinan and San
Carlos, Pangasinan.
It remains in the forefront of Philippine
education and is now the first school in the
country to implement e-learning to students as
young as Grade 4 students and the first in the

North to adopt e-learning technology into its

curriculum.
Included in its subscription will be basic IT
courses and programming languages which
are to be offered to students in the elementary
and high school levels.
These courses are recognized by internationally accredited vendors such as
Microsoft. Basic IT courses will cover
Introduction to Computer and Information
Technology, Operating Systems and Data
Filing, Word Processing, Spreadsheets,
Presentation, and the Internet. Given the
content accreditation of Yapster e-learning?s
courses and their success with so many
academic institutions, it was a natural choice
for Ednas School to partner with Yapster ELearning. [6] School signs up with Yapster's
e-Learning by Edu H. Lopez, Manila
Bulleting, August 20, 2003

2.2.2 Foreign Studies

Learning Nihongo is a requirement among
Filipino caregivers and nurses wishing to
work in Japan under the Japan-Philippines
Economic Partnership Agreement on the
Movement of Natural Persons Employment
Scheme. The role of professional caregivers
has increased in significance due to the
increasing aging population, including in
Japan. Japan is the Philippines' second largest
trading partner as well as the second largest
foreign investor in the Philippines. It also
remains the largest donor of official
development assistance for the Philippines.
On this account, the E-Learning facility
pegged by the Japanese Embassy to enhance
the capability of Filipinos wanting to learn the
Japanese language. the facility is expected to
upgrade the teaching capability of NCFI and
make Japanese language learning more
accessible to students with various needs. The
facility will take advantage of advances in
technology to reach out to a greater number of

Filipinos who wish to learn Nihongo. [7]

Japan opening e-learning Nihongo studies by
Czarina Nicole Ong, J

3. THEORETICAL
FRAMEWORK
The system is a solution in the field of
education to make teaching more effective
and efficient. At the same time giving
opportunity for the students to rewind those
topics which they were able to miss or did not
understand. Students who are enrolled with
the Object Oriented Programming subject will
have their own account, they will need to
register first using their own student ID. They
will then have access to the modules included
in the system and can only take an assessment
after each module. This study will use the
following software:

scripts written in the PHP. This will be

platform use to run the system.

4. METHODS
This chapter shows the System
Development Technique used in the
development of the system. Moreover, Data
Flow Diagram, Entity Relationship Diagram,
Hierarchical Input Process Output, Database
Design and Data Dictionary were also
presented to explain the flow of the system.
System Development Technique

PHP Programming Language is one of the

well known tool for designing web pages.
This will be use to code the entire system.
Adobe Flash is a multimedia platform in
creating interactivity and animation within
web pages. This will be use in illustrating the
code simulator described herein. This will also
be use in animating texts and or images to
give a good design for this study.
Adobe Fireworks is considered as one of
the best tool for graphics and image editing.
This will be use in creating highly optimized
images that will be use to illustrate the lessons
that will be presented in this proposed system.
Adobe Dream weaver is the leading web
editing software that provides both visual and
code-level capabilities. This will be the tool to
be use to lay-out and create the system.
XAMPP Server is a free and open source
cross-platform web server solution stack
package, consisting of the Apache HTTP
Server, MySQL database, and interpreters for

4.1 System Architecture

User management:
Each user is identified with a user
type which categorizes their roles
and are assigned with distinct
privileges. The roles includes the
administrator, professor, student.,
and guess

Collaboration service:
It provides communication among
the users. It includes messaging,
chat, file sharing and
announcement.

Event Management:

It serves as a notification or a
reminder for students about school
activities and some announcements.

4.2 Planning/Initial Study

The initial studys main aim is to recognize
why is there a need to propose and execute an
online system for virtual learning for PHP.
The researchers has to attend and look
answers for the questions such as what can be
added to the system to make it unique from
other resources or tools online? How can the
researchers integrate the flow of the system to
make it interactive and easy to understand?
After indentifying the above needs, further
analysis is done. Hardware interface, people
and resources should also be taken into
consideration. The researchers also study the
software requirement for the system. As part
of this phase, researchers have discussed,
planned and tackled out the things that need to
be done in the realization of the system.

4.3 LMS Analysis and Design

This phase includes the requirement needed
which
describes the
processes and
transactions involved within the system. The
processes that needs to be done in order to
identify those are requirement analysis,
problem analysis and logical design. In order
to clearly see the infrastructure of the system,
a graphical representation through a logical
design is made to show and illustrate the
entities, relationships, rules and processes.
4.3.1 Logical Framework

Figure 4 Logical framework of a Learning

Internet
Layer 1 The user access is the log in area that
allows users to access the system according to
their access level. A particular access level
determines the privileges that a user may
access.
Layer 2 Common Services describes the
processes such as user management,
collaboration (synchronous and synchronous)
and event management. The user management
identifies the roles and privileges of users.
These roles are admin, professor, student and
guess.
Layer 3 Learning Service includes learning
content management system, learning
management system, assessment and learning
administration. The LCMS allows inputs to be
stored into the database for the lessons in
order to be edited, updated or deleted. The
professor is allowed to add and edit lesson
into the database.
The LMS let the professors to monitor
assigned sections and students. It is also
capable of generating reports of their students
activities. As for the project, the professor
sees the progress of students.
The Learning Administration it allows the
access to the backend management such as the
students, professors and other resources. For
the project, it is the administrator that has the
access to the systems database and the
capability of backing up databases files.

Layer 4 Database, allows relational databases

using the SQL. For the project, the backend
used is XAMPP and the researchers use PHP
as its scripting language.

4.3.2 Context Diagram

4.3.3 Diagram 0

Figure 4.3.2.1
The diagram illustrates how the information
flows within the system. It starts when the
student logs in. Information about them is
entered through a registration for m. After the
registration, they are now ready to log in in
the system and takes the lessons, after each
lesson, students are prompt to take seatworks
before taking up the quizzes and
examinations. Scores are being save into the
database for reports generation use by the
professors to evaluate the students.

Figure 4.3.3.1 Diagram 0

This diagram describes the whole process
within the system. It starts when the admin
access the system. Professor and Students will
have the registration first. When log in,
students are able to view and take lessons and
other activities included in the system. After
each lessons, students need to take up the
seatwork, quizzes and examinations. Their
score are automatically computed and saved
in a database for report generation use by the
professors to evaluate the performance of the

students. Reports are also individually

displayed into each students account.

4.3.4 Input Process Output

Figure 4.3.4.1
The diagram above shows the complete
process taken by the researchers in completing
the system. It describes the needed
requirements before developing the system,
these includes knowledge, software and
hardware requirement.

4.3.5 Hierarchical Input Process Output of

Professor

Figure 4.3.5.1
This shows the HIPO of the developed
system. It displays the content used in
developing the system. And also it illustrates
the modules that can be accessed by the
professor.

4.3.6 Hierarchical Input Process Output of

Student

Figure 4.4.6.1
This shows the HIPO of the developed
system. It displays the content used in
developing the system. And also it illustrates
the modules that can be accessed by the
admin.
Name

Table Name : USERS

Null?
Type

User_id

Figure 4.3.5.1
This shows the HIPO of the developed
system. It displays the content used in
developing the system. And also it illustrates
the modules that can be accessed by the
students.
4.4.6 Hierarchical Input Process Output of
Admin

Not Null

Int

User_name

Varchar(25)

Password

Varchar(25)

First_name

Varchar(25)

Middle_name

Varchar(25)

Last_name

Varchar(25)

Level_of_Access

Varchar(25)

Name

Table Name : ADMIN

Null?
Type

Adm_ID

Not Null

Int

Adm_Fname

Not Null

Varchar(25)

Adm_Lname

Not Null

Varchar(25)

Adm_Contact

Int

Name

Table Name: PROFESSOR

Null?
Type

Prof_Id

Not Null

Int

Prof_Fname

Not Null

Varchar(25)

Prof_Lname

Not Null

Varchar(25)

Prof_Section

Table Name: LESSONS

Name
Null?
Type
Lesson_ID
Not Null
Int
Lesson_Title
Not Null
Varchar(25)
Chapter
Varchar(25)
Content
Varchar(25)
Syntax
Varchar(25)
Date_Created
Date

Int

Prof_Contact

Int

Table Name: STUDENTS

Name
Null?
Type
Stud_ID

Not Null

Int

Stud_fname

Not Null

Varchar(25)

Stud_mname

Not Null

Varchar(25)

Name

Table Name: SEATWORK

Null?
Type

Seatwork_ID

Not Null

Int

Seatwork_Title

Not Null

Varchar(25)

Seatwork_Conte
nt
Seatwork_Score

Varchar(25)
Int

Table Name: QUIZZES

Null?
Type

Varchar(25)

Name

Stud_section

Int

Quiz_ID

Not Null

Int

Stud_prof

Varchar(25)

Quiz_Title

Not Null

Varchar(25)

Stud_email

Varchar(25)

Quiz_Content

Varchar(25)

PSeatwork_Score

Int

Quiz_Score

Int

PQuiz_Score

int

PExam_Score

Int

MQuiz_Score

Int

Stud_lname

Not Null

Table Name: EXAMS

Null?
Type

MExam_Score

Int

Name

FQuiz_Score

Int

Exam_ID

Not Null

Int

FExam_Score

Int

Exam_Title

Not Null

Varchar(25)

Name

Table Name: SECTIONS

Null?
Type

Section_ID

Not Null

Int

Section
_Capacity
Section_Sched

Not Null

Int
Varchar(25)

Exam_Content

Varchar(25)

Exam_Score

Int

Name

Table Name : REPORTS

Null?
Type

Rep_ID
Student_pattendanc

Not Null

Int
int

e
PSeatwork_Score

Int

PQuiz_Score

Int

PExam_Score

Int

Student_ID

Not Null

Int

Name

Null?

Type

Chat_ID

Not Null

Int

Chat_Content

Varchar(25)

User_ID

Not Null

Int

User_Name

Not Null

Varchar(25)

Student_mattendan
ce
MSeatwork_Score

Int

MQuiz_Score

Int

Date_Uploaded

MExam_Score

Int

User_ID

Not Null

Int

Student_fattendanc
e
FSeatwork_Score

Int

User_Name

Not Null

Varchar(25)

FQuiz_Score

Int

FExam_Score

Int

Prof_ID

Int

Int

Not Null

Int

Table Name: ANNOUNCEMENTS

Name
Null?
Type
Ann_ID
Not Null
Int
Ann_title
Not Null
Varchar(25)
Ann_Date
Date
Ann_Content
Varchar(25)

Name

Table Name: FORUMS

Null?
Type

Forum_ID

Not Null

Int

Forum_Title

Not Null

Varchar(25)

Forum_Content

Varchar(25)

User_ID

Not Null

Int

User_Name

Not Null

Varchar(25)

Table Name: CHAT

Name

Table Name: DOCUMENTS

Null?
Type

File_Name

Not Null

Varchar(25)
Date

4.4 Program
In completion of the system, the researchers
have use variety of applications to fulfil the
systems objectives. The whole system design
and scripts are all hard coded through the use
of KOMODO. To run and test PHP scripts, a
third party software XAMMP is used. For the
database, the researchers have use MYSQL. A
Microsoft video player is also integrated to
play multimedias uploaded in the system.

4.5 Development
In the Development phase, the planned system
is transformed into a working application. The
Developing Phase involves more than code
development and software developers. The
infrastructure is also developed during this
phase and all roles are active in building and
testing the functions of the system. The team
continues to identify all risks throughout the
phase and address new risks as they emerge.

4.5 Demonstration and Usability

Test

Testing can be stated as the process of

validating and verifying that a computer
program/application meets the requirements
that guided its design and development, works
as expected and can be implemented with the
same characteristics. After the system has
been coded, computer programs are available
that can be executed for testing phases. A
primary purpose of testing is to detect failures
so that defects may be discovered and
corrected. Testing cannot establish that a
product functions properly under all
conditions but can only establish that it does
not function properly under specific
conditions. The scope of testing often includes
examination of code as well as execution of
that code in various environments and
conditions as well as examining the aspects of
code: does it do what it is supposed to do and
do what it needs to do. In the current culture
of software development
4.5.1 Functional Testing
System functions are tested by feeding them
input and examining the output, and internal
program structure is rarely considered. Since
this is an online system, it has been tested
in different web browser to see the output. It
was testedon Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome
and Internet Explorer. As for the results, the
GUI of the system works best in Mozilla
FIrefox. The tests returned good results which
showed that the system works the way it is
expected.
4.5.2 Usability Testing
In usability testing, several people are invited
to test the finish application. This is to check
or measure the usability or ease of use of the
system. The test confirmed some errors on
labeling, with this regard, suggestions were
carefully collected and examined, thus
replacing some of the labels use into a more
easy to understand one. It focused on the
students taking on the lessons and exams and
returning the right results. For the professors,

the areas of adding and editing of lessons

exercises and quizzes was tested and results
are all working fine.

4.6 Implementation
In the Implementation phase, the realization
of an application, or execution of the system
was done. Basic training are provided and
installation and actual running of the system
takes place.

5. CONCLUSION
E-learning Management System is a very
helpful tool to be used to improve traditional
way of teaching in a classroom environment.
With this system, they can learn easily
through their own efforts with the aid of the
system online. It help builds self-knowledge
and self-confidence and encourages students
to take responsibility for their learning.
Learners can test out of or skim over materials
already mastered and concentrate efforts in
mastering areas containing new information
and/or skills. And also it will help develops
knowledge of the Internet and computers
skills that will help learners throughout their
lives and careers.

6. FUTURE WORKS
For future works on A Virtual Learning with
PHP Programming Language so that it will
be more effective, some features maybe added
such as what listed below:
Future
researchers
may
add
other
programming languages on the system so that
that is not only exclusive for HTML and PHP
learners but it will extend widely to those for
would want to learn other programming
languages.

7. RECOMMENDATION

The researchers highly recommend the system

for the IT students taking up Object Oriented
Programming. This will serve as their starting
training ground for webpage development as
it discusses basic internet skills up to more in
depth programming which uses Php. It is also
recommended to IT professors as a tool to
new teaching approach which uses a new
innovation to adopt to the needs of the
students as it could be a new way to address
the issue of self-paced learning.

8. REFERENCES
[1]Albert Cruz of Armatech Convergence,
March 2011
[2]http://articlime.com/article083663benefits-online-training.html, February 8,
2011
[3] E-Learning : Why choose online
education? By John Thompson, July 07, 2005
[4] E-Learning: Strategies for Delivering
Knowledge in the Digital Age, Marc J.
Rosenberg, Ph.D, March 2006
[5] http://mc-elearning.mc.edu.ph/, accessed
May 21, 2011
[6] School signs up with Yapster's e-Learning
by Edu H. Lopez, Manila Bulleting, August
20, 2003
[7] Japan opening e-learning Nihongo
studies by Czarina Nicole Ong, J