PROJECT REPORT

ONLINE EXAMINATION SYSTEM FOR

UGANDA CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY
(A Case Study of the faculty of Computing and
Technology)
By

OKIROR DANIEL
S12B13/604
KANEZA BELYSE
S12B13/352
FACULTY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
A Project Report Submitted to the Faculty of science and Technology
For the Study Leading to a Project in Partial Fulfilment of the
Requirements for the Award of the Degree of Bachelor of
Information Technology of Uganda Christian University

Supervisor
Mr. Kasingye Emmanuel

Faculty of science and Technology, Uganda Christian

University

April, 2015.

DECLARATION

We hereby declare that the information in this Report embodies our original
work done during this project submission in partial fulfilment of a Bachelors
Degree in Information Technology at Uganda Christian University. This Report
has never been published or submitted to any other institution of higher
learning for any academic award to the best of our knowledge.
Signature

Date.

Okiror Daniel (S12B13/604)

Signature.
Date..
Kaneza Belyse (S12B13/352)

SUPERVISORS APPROVAL

This is to certify that Okiror Daniel (S12B13/604) and Kaneza Belyse

(S12B13/352), third year students of Uganda Christian University pursuing a
Bachelors degree in Information Technology took part in the project work for
the partial fulfilment of the requirements of this degree under my supervision.

Signature...

Date....

Mr. Kasingye Emmanuel

(SUPERVISOR)

DEDICATION

We wish to dedicate this piece of work to our parents Mr Tom Olila & Mrs
Florence Apolot, Mr Ntibazonkiza Manasse & Mrs Ndiramiye Stephanie for
being our inspiration and for being our pillar of strength and to our brothers and
sisters for their unconditional support.

AKNOWLEDGEMENTS

This report is greatly indebted to a number of people, without whose ceaseless

cooperation, guidance, and encouragement and all manner of input this would
not have been possible.

Sincere gratitude to our project supervisor, Mr. Kasingye Emmanuel, for his
time, intellectual input, constructive criticism and suggestions offered while
undertaking the project. To our colleagues for their priceless intellectual input.
We also wish to appreciate the efforts of all those without whose limitless and
unconditional support, this undertaking would not have come to be. Sincere
Gratitude to Mr. Nemeye Peter, Mr Sight Ampamya , to our parents Mr Tom Olila
& Mrs Florence Apolot, Mr Ntibazonkiza Manasse & Mrs Ndiramiye Stephanie
for their financial and moral support, and to our brothers and sisters.
Most of all, my deepest and sincerest gratitude goes to the Almighty Lord Jesus
Christ for bringing us this far.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

DECLARATION........................................................................................................i
SUPERVISORS APPROVAL....................................................................................ii
DEDICATION......................................................................................................iii
AKNOWLEDGEMENTS......................................................................................iv
TABLE OF FIGURES............................................................................................viii
LIST OF TABLES.................................................................................................ix
ABBREVIATIONS & ACRONYMS........................................................................x
ABSTRACT..........................................................................................................xi
CHAPTER ONE................................................................................................- 1 1.1

Introduction.........................................................................................- 1 -

1.2

Background..........................................................................................- 1 -

1.3

Statement of the Problem....................................................................- 1 -

1.4 Objectives...............................................................................................- 2 1.5 Significance............................................................................................- 2 1.6 Scope......................................................................................................- 3 Geographical scope......................................................................................- 3 Time scope...................................................................................................- 3 Technical scope............................................................................................- 3 CHAPTER TWO- LITERATURE REVIEW.........................................................- 4 1.1

Overview..............................................................................................- 4 -

1.2 ONLINE EXAMINATION SYSTEM.........................................................- 4 CHAPTER THREE- METHODOLOGY..............................................................- 7 3.1 Methodology...........................................................................................- 7 5

3.2.3 Why Waterfall Methodology (Advantages)........................................- 11 CHAPTER FOUR- SYSTEM ANALYSIS AND DESIGN..................................- 12 4.0 Introduction.........................................................................................- 12 4.1 System Analysis....................................................................................- 12 4.1.1 Existing System.................................................................................- 12 4.1.2 Weaknesses of the existing system...................................................- 12 4.1.3 Strength of the previous System.......................................................- 13 4.3 Requirements Analysis.........................................................................- 13 4.4 System Design......................................................................................- 14 CHAPTER FIVE: SYSTEM IMPLEMENTATION...............................................- 19 5.1 Introduction.............................................................................................- 19 5.2The Login page.........................................................................................- 20 5.3. Admin page............................................................................................- 21 5.4 Add course:..............................................................................................- 22 5.5 Student account:.....................................................................................- 23 5.6 Exams page.............................................................................................- 24 5.7 Results Page............................................................................................- 25 CHAPTER SIX: DISCUSSION, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION.....- 26 6.0 Introduction.............................................................................................- 26 6.1 Discussion of achievements....................................................................- 26 6.3 Recommendation.....................................................................................- 27 6.4 Conclusion...............................................................................................- 27 Appendix...........................................................................................................- 28 1.1

Work Plan..............................................................................................- 28 -

3.2

Budget...................................................................................................- 29 -

REFERENCES:..............................................................................................- 30 3.3

THE SYSTEM CODE.............................................................................- 31 6

1.2.1The login and Registration page...........................................................- 31 1.2.2 Page for adding questions....................................................................- 31 1.2.3 Admin Page for confirming lecturers...................................................- 32 1.2.4 Admin Report page...............................................................................- 32 1.2.5 The students Results Page...................................................................- 33 1.2.6 The exam Timer....................................................................................- 33 1.2

Interview Guide.......................................................................................- 35 -

TABLE OF FIGURES

Figure 1: Waterfall Methodology..................................................................- 8 Figure 2: Context Diagram..........................................................................- 15 Figure 3: Flow Chart.....................................................................................- 16 Figure 4: Data Flow Diagram.......................................................................- 17 Figure 5: Entity Relationship......................................................................- 18 Figure 6: The Login Page:......................................................................................- 20 Figure 7: Admin page;..................................................................................- 21 Figure 8: Add course page:.....................................................................................- 22 Figure 9:.............................................................................................................- 23 Figure 10: Exams Page...........................................................................................- 24 Figure 11: The results page......................................................................................- 25 -

LIST OF TABLES

TABLE
1:
Software
Requirements........................................................................................................
...........15
TABLE
2:
Hardware
Requirements. ......................................................................................................
........15
TABLE
3:
The
project
work
plan..........................................................................................................................
..29
TABLE

4:

The

overall

project

budget...................................................................................................................
30

ABBREVIATIONS & ACRONYMS

1. OES

Online Examination System

2. PHP

Hypertext Pre-Processor

3. SQL

Structured Query Language

4. HTML

Hyper Text Mark-up Language

5. UCU

Uganda Christian University

6. FOST

Faculty of Science and Technology

7. DBMS

Database Management System

8. DFD

Data flow diagram

9. ERD

Entity relationship diagram

10. PK

Primary key

11. FK

Foreign key

10

ABSTRACT

The purpose and essence of Online Examination System (O.E.S.) is to enable

lecturers set exams online, students can do exams online, easy conducting of
exams marking and quick access of results and time saving for both the lectures
and the students. For this feat to be achieved, an integrated, highly efficient and
effective online examination system is needed. With this in mind, a careful
analysis of online examination system being utilized by Uganda Christian
University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Computing and
Technology was conducted. The findings showed that the system was highly
inefficient- especially as far as time saving and resource utilisation was
concerned. This analysis established the need for an online examination System
(OES) that would facilitate effective and reliable time saving online examination
through automated processes and served as the basis for the research leading to
the development of such an online examination system.
The Major objective of the project was to design and develop an OES that would
automate examinations and give direct benefit for Faculty of Science and
Technology, Department of Computing and Technology in terms of exam
marking, setting, and conducting whilst avoiding any confusion that would
jeopardize the process of doing examination. The OES was designed as a
client/server and web-based system and implemented using open source
11

solutions that include MySQL as the database, and PHP, HTML and JavaScript as
the programming languages.
The system was developed using Waterfall methodology. An extensive evaluation
of the project determined that the project achieved many of its predefined
objectives however, the major limitation of the project was the scope covered.
From a proper analysis and assessment of the designed system, it can be
concluded that the system developed is an efficient, usable and reliable online
examination system.

12

CHAPTER ONE
1.1 Introduction
Online Examination System is an online system in which students conduct examination online. It
is very essential for an Institute to handle the Examinations and their results. It is also very useful
for an Institute to test its student continuously for their mutual development.
An online examination is a test given to students at the end of a course of study or training. The
purpose of the test is to make review of the topics covered and assessment of each students
knowledge of the subject.

1.2 Background
Uganda Christian University is an academic institution in Uganda located in Mukono district
about 33 kilometres from Uganda's capital and main city, Kampala, on the main road to Jinja.
The University started as a theological school in 1997 at the time it was called Bishop Tucker. It
was however transformed to be a University which has up-to-date been one of the fastest growing
institutions in Uganda offering different courses in both undergraduate and postgraduate
programs.
The Faculty of Science and Technology is among the largest faculties in the University, with over
1,500 undergraduate students who are currently registered on both full-time and part-time.
Programmes offered by the faculty cover a wide range of fields which includes but not all:
Computer Science and Information Technology.
One of the most vital departments in the Faculty of Science and Technology
is department of Computing and Technology.

1.3 Statement of the Problem

The then existing system which was used to conduct examinations in Uganda Christian University
in the Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of computing and Technology was manual
entry where students had to write manually in the sheet of papers.
It was very hard for the lecturer to mark the papers and also tricky to determine whether all
person truly sat for the exams.
It was also very hard for students to access their results while they are in holidays to know
whether they have passed the semester or not.
1

The was problem of Time wastage, Resource wastage, errors in calculation of Marks,
claiming of marks

1.4 Objectives
1.4.1 General Objective
To develop an automated online Examination system for Faculty of Science and Technology,
Department of Information Technology

1.4.2 Specific Objectives

The projects specific objectives were;
To carry out a feasibility study for the possibility of developing an online
examination system for Uganda Christian University, Faculty of science and technology,
Department of computing Technology.
To design an online Examination system for Uganda Christian University, Faculty of science
and technology, Department of computing Technology
To implement the online examination system for Uganda Christian University,
Faculty of science and technology, Department of computing and Technology

1.5 Significance
In designing and developing online examination system, it was hoped that
the project would have the following impact on all stakeholders.
The developed online examination system now enables lectures to set
exams.
The system marks the exam
The system can now sit for exams
There is reduced costs in the examination process
There is minimised wastage of resources
2

Students can now access their marks immediately.

1.6 Scope
It is focused on studying the existing Examination System in Uganda Christian University
Geographical scope
The area of study is Uganda Christian University Mukono Faculty of Science and Technology
Department of computing and Technology.
Time scope
This project lasted for a period of five (5) months from December 2014 to April 2015
Technical scope

Conducts the Exams

Marks the exams

Presents the results

Generates reports

CHAPTER TWO- LITERATURE REVIEW

1.1 Overview
In order to understand the concepts associated with online examination
system, it was imperative to examine and analyse published material from
experts regarding the field. The purpose of this review
Was to analyse and examine and obtain experience as regards the creation
and archival processing of online examination system. The review was based
on an exhaustive assessment of the literature on online examination system
and contains an overview of the main concepts associated with conducting
an online examination system from the perspective of published experts.

1.2 ONLINE EXAMINATION SYSTEM

There is a growing body of research focused on developing better ways to manage e-exams
systems and e-learning systems. Some of these researches focused on various sections of the
system and these include:
Schramm (2008) looked at e-learning web based system that could simply offer and grade
mathematical questions with innite patience. Therefore it needs the capability for in and output
of mathematical formulas, the dynamic generation of plots and the generation of random
expressions and numbers. Al-Bayati and Hussein (2008) presents an applied Generic Software of
multiple kinds of e-exam package; this package of e-exam is oriented to Hearing Impaired (HI)
persons. Therefore the exam material of this package is translated into language of HI persons
like sign language and finger spelling. The idea of the Generic software is to present an empty
templates to the teacher who would like to develop his required e-exam for the needful topic
(mathematics, language, science, etc) and desired set of exam kinds (multiple choices, matching
between words, fill in blanks, etc).
Web-based Examination System is an effective solution for mass education evaluation
(Zhenming et al, 2003). They developed a novel online examination system based on a
Browser/Server framework which carries out the examination and auto-grading for objective
questions and operating questions, such as programming, operating Microsoft Windows, editing
Microsoft Word , Excel and PowerPoint, etc. It has been successfully applied to the distance
4

evaluation of basic operating skills of computer science, such as the course of computer skills in
Universities and the nationwide examination for the high school graduates in Zhejiang Province,
China. Another paper (He, 2006) presents a web-based educational assessment system by
applying Blooms taxonomy to evaluate student learning outcomes and teacher instructional
practices in real time. The system performance is rather encouraging with experimentation in
science and mathematics courses of two local high schools.
Submissions and production of reports for the test. It supports many kinds of questions. It was
used via Internet and is therefore suitable for both local and remote examination. The system
could help lecturers, instructors, teachers and others who are willing to create new exams or edit
existing ones as well as students participating in the exams. The system was built using. Various
open source technologies AJAX, PHP, HTML and MYSQL database are used in this system. An
auto-grading module was generalized to enable different exam and question types. The system
was tested in the Mansoura university quality assurance centre. The test proved the validity of
using this kind of web based systems for evaluating students in the institutions with high rate of
students.
An online website for tutoring and e-examination of economic course aimed to present a novel
software tool can be used for online examination and tutorial application of the syllabus of
economic course (EL Emary and Al Sondos, 2006). Also, among the main interests of the paper
is to produce a software through it we make sure that students have studied all the concepts of
economics. So, the proposed software is structured from two major modules: The first one was
an online website to review and make self-test for all the material of economic course. The
second part is an online examination using a large database bank of questions through it the level
of students can be evaluated immediately and some statistical evaluations can be obtained. The
developed software offers the following features: 1) Instructors could add any further questions
to maximize the size of the bank of questions. 2) Different examinations for each student with
randomly selected questions from the bank of questions can be done. 3) Different reports for the
instructors, students, classesetc can be obtained. 4) Several students can take their exams
simultaneously without any problem inside and outside their campus. The proposed software has
been designed to work base on the client server architecture.

Electronic exam is a dicult part of e-learning security (Huszti and Petho, 2008). The paper
describes a cryptographic scheme that possesses security requirements, such that authenticity,
anonymity, secrecy, robustness, correctness without the existence of a Trusted Third Party. The
proposed protocol also provides students a receipt, a proof of a successful submission, and it is
based on existence of anonymous return channels. Another research work proposed a theoretical
approach that incorporates available fingerprint biometrics authentication technologies in
conjunction with e-learning environments to curb unethical conduct during e-learning exam
taking (Levy and Ramim, 2007). The proposed approach suggests practical solution that can
incorporate a random fingerprint biometrics user authentication during exam taking in e-learning
courses. Doing so is hypothesized to curb exam cheating in e-learning environments.
Ayo et al (2007) proposed a model for e-Examination in Nigeria where all applicants are
subjected to online entrance examination as a way of curbing the irregularities as proposed by the
Joint Admissions Matriculation Board (JAMB), the body saddled with the responsibility of
conducting entrance examinations into all the Nigerian universities. This model was designed
and tested in Covenant University, one of the private universities in Nigeria. Their findings
revealed that the system has the potentials to eliminate some of the problems that are associated
with the traditional methods of examination such as impersonation and other forms of
examination malpractices. Based on the development of e-learning in the only Open University
in Nigeria (Ipaye, 2009), discusses the process of establishing e-learning environment. Another
paper seeks to solve a part of that problem by designing and developing a web application where
tests in multiple choice formats will be taken online and graded immediately (Akinsanmi et al,
2010). The web application relies solely on Microsoft developed technologies. It runs on the
Microsoft.net framework, uses the ASP.NET web server, C# as the intermediate language,
ADO.NET to interact with the relational database and Microsoft SQL server as the relational
database.
Conclusion
In conclusion, considering the points above, the literature review helped in the development of
the Online Examination System

CHAPTER THREE- METHODOLOGY

3.1 Methodology
Methodology is a term used to describe a process, technique or manner in
which an action is performed. This chapter presents the methodology which
consists of the detailed description of the step-by-step method of achieving
the objectives of the proposed system. The methodology used was waterfall
as illustrated below:

3.2.1 Waterfall Methodology

The water fall model is a software development model in which a systems development is
viewed as flowing downwards through the phases of the system development process. The
waterfall methodology is powerful, precise, and thorough. It has a number of phases that have to
be implemented in a sequential manner.

3.2.2 Waterfall Methodology steps

Figure 1: Waterfall Methodology

3.2.2.1 Initiation
This is the beginning of the system/project. In this phase, the idea for
the project is explored and elaborated. The goal of this phase is to
examine the feasibility of the project. In this phase the leaser writes a
proposal. The prospective sponsors of the project evaluate the project
and provide a go head. The project officially begins at the time of
approval.

3.2.2.2 Planning
This phase was the fundamental process of understanding why information
system should be built. A formal planning process was carried out to ensure
that the goal, scope, schedule and system development processes, methods
and tools are clearly defined.
3.2.2.3 Requirements Specification (Analysis) phase
The definition of the scope and conduction of the feasibility study was done,
after which the project was launched. This involved the study of the
problem domain to recommend improvements and specify he requirements
and priorities for the solution. In the requirements gathering, the main aim
was to understand and document the information needs and processing
requirements of the proposed system. The fact finding techniques that were
to be used include interviews and observation
a) Interviews
This involved interviewing some of the students and the lecturers and other
relevant persons in the different areas of the faculty. Through the interviews
the researcher gave chance to the respondent to ask all relevant questions
concerning the topic of study. This gave the researcher an advantage of
getting first-hand information from respondents who were already part of
the system under study.
b).Observation
The observation technique helped the researcher to physically observe the
processes involved in conducting the examination, and how the results are
finally accessed by the students and all the personnel who are involved in
the examination process
9

c) Review of the existing documentation

Document Review was used to understand the current system and get
relevant literature on Online Examination System (O.E.S) techniques that
were being used at the time the study was done. This technique was very
important in validating the information got through interview.

3.2.2.4 System Design

In systems design the design functions and operations was described in
detail, including screen layouts, business rules, process diagrams and other
documentation. The output of this stage described the new system as a
collection of modules or subsystems. The design stage took as its initial
input the requirements identified in the approved requirements document.
For each requirement, a set of one or more design elements was produced
as a result of interviews, workshops, and/or prototype efforts.
Design elements described the desired system features in detail, and
generally included functional hierarchy diagrams, screen layout diagrams,
tables of business rules, business process diagrams, pseudo code, and a
complete entity-relationship diagram with a full data dictionary.

Data flow diagrams

The Data Flow Diagram was used to model the processes involved in the
system to show how data flows into and out of the system in a top-down
manner by giving a graphical representation of the of the systems
components, processes and how they interface with each other

Entity Relationship Diagram

The Entity Relationship Diagram was used in data modelling to set up an
entity relational model of the system.

10

This involved determining the relationships between the various entities in

the system and associating these entities with their attributes and attribute
domains

3.2.2.5 Implementation
HTML (Hyper Text Mark-up Language) and CSS (Cascading Style Sheets)
were used as the languages of preference for the design of user
interfaces. In the interfaces, Java script was used as the client side
validation tool.
PHP was used as a scripting language for linking the interfaces to the
SQL database(s). PHP is a server-side scripting language that enables one
the ability to insert into a web interface instructions that web server
software would execute before sending a response to the web browser
SQL was used as the programming language for developing the database.
SQL is the de facto standard language used to manipulate and retrieve
data from these relational databases.
Dreamweaver cs3 was used as the editing tool for creating interfaces
using HTML, CSS, JavaScript and PHP scripts.

Dreamweaver cs3 is a

professional HTML editor for designing, coding, and developing websites,

web pages, and web applications. Dreamweaver supports the creation of
dynamic, database-driven web applications using server technologies
such as CFML, ASP.NET, ASP, JSP, and PHP.
3.2.2.6 Testing and Validation phase
Here all the iterations were brought together and integrated to make one
working

system.

Modular

and

subsystem

programming

code

was

accomplished during this stage. Unit testing and module testing was done
in this stage.
3.2.3 Why Waterfall Methodology (Advantages)
Easier to detect errors earlier.
There is a clear demarcation between steps in the waterfall model.
In this model, output is generated after each stage (as seen before), therefore it has high
11

visibility. The client and project manager gets a feel that there is considerable progress.
Here it is important to note that in any project psychological factors also play an important
role.
Project management, both at internal level and client's level, is easy again because of
visible outputs after each phase. Deadlines can be set for the completion of each phase and
evaluation can be done from time to time, to check if project is going as per milestones.
This methodology is significantly better than the haphazard approach to develop software.
It provides a template into which methods of analysis, design, coding, testing and
maintenance can be placed.

This methodology is preferred in projects where quality is more important as compared to

schedule or cost.

CHAPTER FOUR- SYSTEM ANALYSIS AND DESIGN

4.0 Introduction
This Chapter presents the whole processes of analysing the existing system,
recommending of the new system, design and Implementation of the new
system.

4.1 System Analysis

4.1.1 Existing System
Using the data collection Methods stated in the methodology in chapter
three, the following information was obtained on how examinations are
done in the Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Computing
and Technology. The exams are manually done by the students. Students

12

have to wait after some time before getting their results, The lecturers
Manually mark the exams which is usually time consuming and tiresome

4.1.2 Weaknesses of the existing system

The previous system led to delayed release of students marks.
The time taken to mark the examination answer sheet was long and
tiresome.
With the previous system, students could start claiming for the marks in the
exams they did not sit for.
The previous system consumed a lot of Resources in terms of paper that was
printed and providing for the answer sheets to the students

4.1.3 Strength of the previous System

However much there were weaknesses in the previous system, the system
had the provision of the essay type of exams which the current system
would not effectively integrate.

4.3 Requirements Analysis

4.3.1 Functional Requirements
The system performs the following requirements for the users.
The system enables Lectures to add exam questions and answers
The system enables the administrator to confirm Lecturers
The System enables students to select exams and do the exams
13

The system marks the exams

The system computes the final results from the exam done
The system times when the exams should be done
The system generates reports both on the lecturers side and the
administrators side

4.3.3 Non-Functional Requirements

The System authorises users (Lecturers, students and the admin) to access
its sensitive parts
The system is user friendly
The system compatible to windows 7 or later, Ubuntu and mac OS
The user interface was designed with the UCU logo

4.3.4 Hardware and Software Requirements

Table 1: Software Requirements
SOFTWARE COMPONENT
Database system
Server
Operating system
Web browser

SYSTEM REQUIREMENT
MySQL
Xamp/Apache web server
Widows 7,8,Linux,Mac OS
Safari,Mozilla,Chrome
14

Table 2: Hardware Requirements

Hardware component
Processor
Processor speed
Disk space
Memory

System Requirement
,Intel i3
1.4GHZ
200GB
2GB

4.4 System Design

The process of designing the system involved modelling of the processes
and data involved in the system

4.4.1 Context Diagram

15

Figure 2: Context Diagram. It shows the system under consideration as a single high-level
process and also shows relationship the system has with other external entities

16

4.4.2 Flow chart

Figure 3: Flow Chart The flow chat shows the flow of events in the system

17

4.4.3 Data Flow Diagram

Figure 4: Data Flow Diagram A Data flow diagram (DFD) reveals the relationships among
and between the various components in a system

18

4.4.5 Entity Relationship Diagram

19

Figure 5: Entity Relationship Diagram the ERD design describes the representation of the database in
terms of its entities in form of tables and the existing relationships

CHAPTER FIVE: SYSTEM IMPLEMENTATION

5.1 Introduction
HTML (Hyper Text Mark-up Language) and CSS (Cascading Style Sheets)
were used as the languages of preference for the design of user interfaces.
In the interfaces, Java script was used as the client side validation tool.
PHP was used as a scripting language for linking the interfaces to the SQL
database(s). PHP is a server-side scripting language that enables one the
ability to insert into a web interface instructions that web server software
would execute before sending a response to the web browser
SQL was used as the programming language for developing the database.
SQL is the de facto standard language used to manipulate and retrieve data
from these relational databases.
Dreamweaver cs3 was used as the editing tool for creating interfaces using
HTML, CSS, JavaScript and PHP scripts. Dreamweaver cs3 is a professional
HTML editor for designing, coding, and developing websites, web pages,
and web applications. Dreamweaver supports the creation of dynamic,
database-driven web applications using server technologies such as CFML,
ASP.NET, ASP, JSP, and PHP.
XAMPP an integrated database creation software tool was used as the
software for creating the MYSQL database(s
The system provides a number of forms or screens that is used to either do
exams, set exams, view reports or view the results as it will be illustrated by
the figures below.
.
20

5.2The Login page

Figure 6: The Login Page: The Login Page is the first page that authorises users to access the
system through inserting the username and the password

21

5.3. Admin page.

Figure 7: Admin page; the admin page has options that the admin can use
to add course units in to the system, verify lecturer and set time

22

5.4 Add course:

Figure 8: Add course page: This is where the admin can add more course units in to the system.

23

5.5 Student account:

Figure 9: The students page; this is where the students can view all information in their account,
select an examination to do

24

25

5.6 Exams page

Figure 10: Exams Page. This is the page where the student does the exams

26

5.7 Results Page

Figure 11: The results page. This is where the students final result is displayed after he/she has
done the exams.
27

CHAPTER SIX: DISCUSSION, CONCLUSION AND

RECOMMENDATION
6.0 Introduction
The section discusses the achievements realised in relation to the objectives
of the project, the limitations encountered during the project and is
concluded by giving recommendations regarding this project.

6.1 Discussion of achievements

The researcher was able to achieve the projects intended objectives as
follows:
The students can now access their results immediately after doing the
examinations.
The lecturers time has been saved since the marking is done by the system
automatically

6.2 Limitations
Time was a very big factor. This is because we had to create a balance
between developing the system and also reading for other course units and
reading for the Tests and completing the course work that was routinely
given to us
Acquisition of the softwares. The software that we used for developing the
system (Dreamweaver cs6)
Hardware failures. Sometimes we experienced hardware failures as we
were developing the system.
The other challenge that we experienced was the time frame that we had in
order to come up with a complete system within a short period of time.

28

6.3 Recommendation
In the Future development of the system, we that the system can be
integrated to include functionalities for querying the results and also the
final GPA for all the exams that have been done by the student.
In the future, the system should also include the functionality for structured
type of exams. These will bring in all the exam process in the faculty
The system should be integrated with the academic portals for example site
for past papers and notes. This will enable student to access notes and past
papers online thus enhancing revision

6.4 Conclusion
Though here are a number of limitations as presented, the development of
the system helped us get exposed to the real world of Information
Technology. The processes that are followed in order to develop the system.
We got exposure to various programming languages like php, css,
JavaScript and html.
We also got experience various programs that are used for website and
system development

29

Appendix
1.1 Work Plan
Table 3: The project work plan

Time
Activity

DECE

JANU

FEBRU

MA

MBER

ARY

ARY

RC

2014

2015

2015

H
201
5

Project initiation
Proposal writing
Analysis
Designing
Developing

prototype or coding
Testing
Report writing
Project presentation

30

APRIL 2015

Final

report

and

submission to the
faculty

3.2 Budget
Table 4: The overall project budget
01
02
03

Laptop
Stationery
Flash

1
N/A
1

1,500,000
N/A
25000

1,000,000
50,000
20,000

04

disk(2GB)
External hard

250,000

250,000

05

disk(500GB)
Blank

1500

3000

06
07
08
09

CDs/DVDs
Printing
Transport
Air time
GRAND

N/A
N/A
N/A

N/A
N/A
N/A

20,000
N/A
N/A
1,343,000

TOTAL

31

REFERENCES:
www.ucu.ac.ug/Faculty of Science and Technology/Department of computing
Maha A. Al-Bayati, Karim Q. Hussein (2008) Generic Software of e-Exam Package for Hearing
Impaired Persons (Mathematics as Case Study), 2nd Conference on Planning & Development of
Education and Scientific Research in the Arab States, page 955-962.
Martin R. Fischer, Veronka Kopp, Matthias Holzer, Franz Ruderich and Jana Junger (2005), A
modified electronic key feature examination for undergraduate medical students: validation
threats and, Medical Teacher, vol?? No?, 2005, page 1-6.
McCormac, C. Jones, D. (1998) Building a Web-based Education System, Wiley Computer
Publishing, New York, USA.
Nur'Aini binti Abdul Rashid, Omar Bin Majid and Chow Shiao Yen (2002), E-Learning
Management System for Secondary School in Malaysia, International Conference on The
Challenge of Learning& Teaching in a Brave New World: Issues& opportunities in Borderless
Education. The JB Hotel,Hatyai, Thailand. 1-10.
Ryan, S. Scott, B. Freeman, F. Patel, D. (2000) The Virtual University, The Internet and
Resource-Based Learning. Kogan Page, London.
Thomas Schramm (2008), E-Assessments and E-Exams for Geometrics Studies, Department of
Geometrics Hafen City University Hamburg Hebebrandstrae 1, 22297 Hamburg, Germany
http://www.hcu-hamburg.de/geomatik.
Yair Levy and Michelle M. Ramim (2007), A Theoretical Approach for Biometrics
Authentication of e-Exams, Nova Southeastern University, USA. Page 93-101.
Yuan Zhenming, Zhang Liang, Zhan Guohua (2003), A Novel Web-Based Online Examination
System For Computer Science Education, 33rd ASEE/IEEE Frontiers in Education Conference,
S3F-7-S3F-10.
What is Xamp, https://www.apachefriends.org/index.html (23rd-01-2015)
HTML, www.w3schools.com/htmL (23rd-01-2015)

32

MySQL-The Most Open Source Database, www.oracle.com Products and Services MySQL
(23rd-01-2015)

3.3 THE SYSTEM CODE

1.2.1The login and Registration page.
<form ACTION="<?php echo $loginFormAction; ?>"
method="POST" autocomplete="off" id="post">
<table>
<tr valign="baseline">
<td><input name="username" type="text"
id="username" placeholder="Username here" value="" size="32"
/></td>
</tr>
<tr valign="baseline">
<td><input name="password" type="password"
placeholder="Password here" id="password" value="" size="32"
/></td>
</tr>
<tr valign="baseline">
<td align="center"><input type="submit"
onclick="MM_validateForm('username','','R','password','','R');return
document.MM_returnValue" value="Sign In" />
<input name="Button" type="button" id="button"
onclick="MM_goToURL('parent','register.php');return
document.MM_returnValue" value="Register" /></td>
</tr>
</table>
</form>

1.2.2 Page for adding questions.

<form action="<?php echo $editFormAction; ?>"
autocomplete="off" method="post" id="postform">
<table>
<tr valign="baseline">
<td align="right" valign="top">Question:</td>
<td><textarea name="question" cols="40" rows="2"
id="question"></textarea></td>
</tr>
<tr valign="baseline">
<td align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</td>

33

<td><input name="Submit" type="submit"

onclick="MM_validateForm('fromdate','','R','todate','','R','question','','
R');return document.MM_returnValue" value="Add" />
<input name="lecturer_id" type="hidden" value="<?php
echo $row_me['id']; ?>" />
<input name="course_id" type="hidden" id="course_id"
value="<?php echo $row_lecturer['course_id']; ?>" /></td>
</tr>
</table>
<input type="hidden" name="MM_insert" value="form1" />
</form>

1.2.3 Admin Page for confirming lecturers

<table>
<tr valign="baseline">
<td><p>Are you sure you want to confirm <?php echo
$row_lecturer['name']; ?> this account?</p>
<p>
<select name="confirmed" id="confirmed">
<option value="Yes" <?php if (!(strcmp("Yes",
$row_lecturer['confirmed'])))
{echo
"selected=\"selected\"";}
?
>>Yes</option>
<option value="No" <?php if (!(strcmp("No",
$row_lecturer['confirmed'])))
{echo
"selected=\"selected\"";}
?
>>No</option>
</select>
</p></td>
</tr>
<tr valign="baseline">
<td><input type="submit" value="Yes" />
<input name="button" type="button" id="button"
onclick="MM_goToURL('parent','lecturer.php');return
document.MM_returnValue" value="No" /></td>
</tr>
</table>

1.2.4 Admin Report page

<table width="100%">
<tr>
<td class="headers-text">Report</td>
<td class="headers-text">Detail</td>
</tr>
<tr>
34

<td>Registered Students</td>
<td>&nbsp;<?php echo $totalRows_student ?> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Exam Types</td>
<td>&nbsp;<?php echo $totalRows_exam ?> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Lectureres registered</td>
<td>&nbsp;<?php echo $totalRows_lecturers ?> </td>
</tr>
</table>

1.2.5 The students Results Page.

<table width="90%">
<?php do { ?>
<tr>
<td><strong><?php echo $q++ ?></strong></td>
<td><strong><?php echo $row_exam['question']; ?
></strong></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td><?php include('result-inner.php');?></td>
</tr>
<?php } while ($row_exam = mysql_fetch_assoc($exam)); ?
>
<tr>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td align="right"><span class="totalresult"
id="totals"></span></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td align="right"><span class="totalresult"
id="totalresult"></span></td>
</tr>
</table>

1.2.6 The exam Timer.

<?php
$now = new DateTime();
echo $now->format("M j, Y H:i:s")."\n";
?>
35

<form action="<?php echo $editFormAction; ?>" autocomplete="off"

method="post" id="postform">
<table>
<tr valign="baseline">
<td align="right" valign="middle">Exam Duration:</td>
<td valign="middle"><input name="duration"
type="text"
id="duration"
value="<?php
echo
$row_timer['duration']; ?>" size="40" /></td>
</tr>
<tr valign="baseline">
<td align="right" valign="middle">Exam Duration:</td>
<td><input name="fromdate" type="text" id="fromdate"
value="<?php echo $row_timer['fromdate']; ?>" size="12" />
to
<input name="todate" type="text" id="todate"
value="<?php echo $row_timer['todate']; ?>" size="12" /></td>
</tr>
<tr valign="baseline">
<td align="right">&nbsp;</td>
<td><input name="Submit" type="submit"
onclick="MM_validateForm('duration','','RisNum');return
document.MM_returnValue" value="Save" />
<input name="current_date" type="hidden"
id="current_date" value="<?php echo date('Y-m-d');?>" /></td>
</tr>
</table>
<input type="hidden" name="MM_update"
value="form1" />
<input type="hidden" name="examtimer_id" value="<?php
echo $row_timer['examtimer_id']; ?>" />
</form>
</div>
<div id="siderphoto"></div>
<div id="headertitle"></div>
<?php include('menu.php');?>
</div>
<script>$('#fromdate,#todate').datetimepicker({
datepicker:true,
timepicker:false
});
</script>

36

1.2 Interview Guide

37