An Enhance Integrated System To Facilitate Postgraduate Research Program in Tertiary Institutions

IPASJ International Journal of Information Technology (IIJIT)
Web Site: http://www.ipasj.org/IIJIT/IIJIT.htm

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Volume 7, Issue 3, March 2019 ISSN 2321-5976
An Enhance Integrated System to Facilitate

Postgraduate Research Program in Tertiary
Institutions
Munir Kolapo Yahya-Imam1 and Abba Sulaiman Abubakar2
1
Lecturer, Faculty of Computer Science and Multimedia, Lincoln University College, Malaysia
2
Brinks Integrated Solution Limited, Abuja, Nigeria
ABSTRACT
Technology advancement has influenced tertiary institutions to necessitate new teaching approaches. However, traditional
learning fosters a culture whereby communication between students and supervisors is minimal and the student does not
outgrow his reliance on the supervising instructors. Similarly, the main assessment of conventional learning is for the student
to merely master limited sets of knowledge. Hence mobile technology presents a unique solution that can support various types
of learning and communication processes. This research investigates how mobile learning can support postgraduate research
program. It recognizes the learning prospects that different mobile learning activities deliver, as well as exploring the
challenges in implementing them. The results from the study were used to develop an improved e-learning system. The system
gives a better precision of supervisor evaluation and provide platform for postgraduate students to discuss, view and review
works done by their peers with efficiency in page response time and traffic handling.
Keywords: Learning Methods, E-learning, Distance learning, Mobile learning
1. INTRODUCTION
Cutting edge research carried out with a firm IT connectivity improves postgraduate education and research. This is
because IT offers access to education and advanced degrees via alternative learning modalities which respond to student
needs. A key component of postgraduate study is active engagement with a research community, either local or global.
As access to research via distance learning is increasing, concurrent efforts must ensure that postgraduate students are
integrated into a positive research environment through synchronous and asynchronous interaction with faculty and
peers.
Furthermore, many researchers are faced with challenges on how to go about their research works especially at the
beginning of their studies. Many lack the facilities that would aid them in achieving their research objectives [1]. Some
also suffer from basic knowledge needed to add useful contribution to their chosen fields. Hence, information &
communication technology (ICT) structures, and its use in teaching and research have the ability to boost postgraduate
research [2]. There are many resources available for researchers to utilize, such as, the internet, e-libraries, electronic
journals and white papers. However, many researchers in our citadel of learning do not have access to these facilities.
Misguided information from the internet could also be a big problem. Therefore, the focus of this research is to design
an improved e-learning method that will facilitate postgraduate research work using mobile devices.
2. LITERATURE REVIEW
The concept of teaching and learning has undergone so many changes in the quest for achieving flexibility. This is
because learning methods has evolved from traditional learning towards mobile learning or from formal learning to
informal learning. Similarly, the book edited by [3] has categorized the learning system into Traditional learning,
Distance learning, E-learning and Mobile learning. A summary of which is shown in Table 1.1
Table 1.1: Learning System Categories
Learning Method Description Strengths Weakness

It is done in a classroom at a It is best suited for experimental Totally dependent on
scheduled place with restricted programs. time and place.
amount of time and mostly paper
Traditional learning
based. It is sometimes referred to as
back to basics.
Volume 7, Issue 3, March 2019 Page 4

This is done by using electronic It is flexible, convenient, and gives Technical limitations
devices and utilizing the capabilities learner the ability to work at his/her and cost of electronic
of the cyberspace in creating a virtual pace. devices used in
E-learning
classroom for learners and a virtual facilitating e-learning
class for teachers by combining text,
audio, and video.
It is a flexible educational Lack of dependence on time and place. Lack of effectiveness
application that is linked to absolute to experimental
freedom of choice when it comes to programs.
Distance learning
the means employed in
communicating and conveying
information.
This is any educational provision Addresses the limitations and Technical limitations
where the sole or dominant inadequacies of e-learning. and cost of mobile
technologies are hand-held or palm- gadget.
top devices and in terms of mobility
Mobile learning is any learning that happens when
the learner is not at a fixed
predetermined location and taking
advantage of learning opportunities
offered by mobile technologies.
2.1 E-learning VS Mobile Learning

The evolution of E-learning was a new form of distance learning and its terminology is close to those of traditional
learning [4]. Even though the applications of mobile learning are seen as an advancement of e-learning, mobile
learning is a characterized technology and has both differences and similarities to e-learning. [5] differentiate mobile
and e-learning as shown in Table 1.2.
Table 1.2: Differences between E-learning and Mobile learning
Keywords E-learning Mobile learning

Restricted to place and time, as lectures are held Time and place independent.
Place
in classrooms or internet labs.
Instructions are established through text and Instructions are based on voice, graphical and
Pedagogical change
graphical means. animated formats.
Teacher to student Passive, asynchronous, scheduled and time Instant, synchronous and spontaneous interaction
interaction delayed interaction. between teacher and student.
Face-to-face, time committed and private Communication is flexible, instantaneous
Student to student
communication between students. through instant messaging (IM), one to one, and
interaction
independent of group consciousness.
One to one basis, asynchronous and One to one, asynchronous and synchronous,
Feedback to student
standardized. customized and performance grading.
2.1 E-Learning VS Mobile Learning Platforms

The comparison analysis shown in Table 1.3 is made using the following criteria: Name of learning system, type of
learning system, pedagogical implication, programming language used during the system development, type of
information which the system supports, supported e-learning standards and content adaptation technology.
Table 1.3: E-Learning VS Mobile Learning Platforms

Name of Type of Programming Type of E-learning Operating
Pedagogical Factor
Platform Learning Language Information Standards System
Desire2Lear RESTful API Learning
Mobile IMS LTI standar
n Learning Blended Learning and JSON data Management Web
learning d
Suite structures System
Sharable Object
Apache, PHP, Content
Moodle E-learning Collaborative Content Model Web
MySQL Management
(SCORM )
Learning
Luminocity Mobile TIN Can API,
Blended Learning N/A Management Android, iOS
Reach Learning SCORM
System LMS
Java, RDBMS, Content
Blackboard E.-learning Collaborative learning SCORM Web
Oracle SQL Management

Android,
Blackboard Mobile Content
Collaborative Learning Java Blackboard iOS,
Mobile Learning Management
Blackberry
SCORM 1.2
Content
ATutor E-learning Collaborative MySQL, PHP LMS RTE3 Web
Management
Mobile
Learn & Mobile BlackboardCollaborate BlackboardLearn Content
BlackboardLearn Web
Mobile Learning , Learn , SDK management
Central
Course
Management, Cross
Claroline E-learning Collaborative PHP, MySQl SCORM
Learning platform
Modules
Cellcast Mobile Constructivist Game Blackberry
C/C++ SCORM
Solution Learning Learning Deployment OS
Content
Blended, Collaborative OpenACS, SCORM, IMS,
.LRN E-Learning Management Web
Learning Postgresql OKI
System
Interestingly, the evolution of mobile learning system has prompted many Open universities across Europe to adopt the
system alongside distance learning programs [6]. Kukulska-Hulme and John Traxler authored the first major textbook
on mobile learning in 2005. International Journal for Mobile Learning and Organization (IJMLO), International
Journal of Mobile and Blended Learning (IJMBL) and the first conference on mobile and contextual learning MLearn
are examples of reputable journals and conferences held on mobile learning. In addition, mobile technology presents a
unique solution and opportunity for postgraduate studies to be more accessible and personal to learners. From the
literature, it is evident that mobile technology can support various types of learning and communication process. It has
the potential to do away with some of the limitations and obstacles in the learning environments. Mobile learning can
be considered as a supple and personalized learning that is not restricted to time, place, or device [7]. Educators and
learners should be involved in the development of mobile learning to get greater use, understanding, and support the
environment that will facilitate postgraduate research.
3. METHODOLOGY
The methodology adopted in this research is iterative incremental model for system development. The model has been
used in several studies [8]-[11]. Hence the steps in Figure 1.1 were taken.
Analysis of relevant literatures based

on the problem scope
Design and implementation of

general structure of the system
Evaluation and system testing
Figure 1.1: Methodology Framework

The literature review was geared towards investigating the use of mobile technology as a learning tool in higher
education and to examine existing works in the field of mobile learning.
Secondly, the reports on the design and implementation of postgraduate wiki (PGwiki) that fit in the elements
identified in the analysis and those that are specific to the postgraduate mobile learning were presented.
Finally PGwiki was tested manually on Genymotion, an application that simulates mobile device software on desktop
computers.

3.1 System Architecture

The architecture of the proposed application is presented in Figure 1.2. It is based on 3-tier client-server architecture.
Any of the tiers can be upgraded or replaced without changing the whole system, and it can easily be deployed to
several institutions. The client side has direct connection to a server side application through secure user verification
and user interface. The system requires the setup of communication between the mobile application and a web server.
The client-server connection is established when remote processors request and receive service from a host server. The
services running on the server use known ports that serve as application identifiers. However, it is not necessary for the
server to know anything about the client’s address or port at the time of connection. The client acts as the active device
which makes the first move to establish the communication whereas the server waits for a request from a client.
Figure 1.2: Architectural Design of the Application

4. DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT
4.1 Use Case Diagram
Towards achieving the the functional and non functional requirements of the system a use case diagram has been
designed as shown in Figure 1.3.
Figure 1.3: Use Case Diagram

Use Case Scenarios
There are three actors in the diagram, CPS, Supervisor, and Student. Each actor is connected to a certain use case for a
specific action. A detail is presented in Table 1.5, Table 1.6 and Table 1.7
Table 1.5: Submit Supervisor Report Scenario

Use Case Name Supervisor Report

Context Submit supervisor report on student thesis/project
Primary Actor Supervisor
Precondition Application is running, user is logged on with requisite privileges
Success post Condition Thank you, your submission has been received.
Trigger User wants to submit new supervisor report
 User taps on supervisor report
 System displays a window with all options to fill supervisors report
 User fills the report
Main Success scenario
 User submit report
 User sends generated PDF report to Centre for postgraduate studies
 System closes and displays Thank you, your submission has been received
Table 1.6: Submit Student Progress Report Scenario
Use Case Name Student Progress Report

Context Submit student progress report
Primary Actor Postgraduate student
Precondition Application is running, user is logged on with requisite privileges
Success post Condition Thank you, your submission has been received.
Trigger User wants to submit new student progress report
Main Success scenario  User taps on student progress report
 System displays a window with all options to fill students progress report
 User fills report
 User submit report
 User sends generated PDF report to Centre for postgraduate studies
 System closes and displays Thank you, your submission has been received
Table 1.7: Admin Post/Edit, View Article Scenario

Use Case Name Mustwiki
Context Admin add/edit articles
Primary Actors CPS, Supervisor, Student
Precondition Application is running, user is logged on with requisite privileges, user taps on mustwiki
Success post Condition User views articles, search articles
Trigger User wants to add/edit articles
Main Success scenario  User taps on mustwiki
 System displays postgraduate mobile information system page
 User search article
 User add/edit article
 User makes observations on articles
4.2 Class Diagram

An overview of the system is described through the objects and classes in the system alongside with their relationships.
This is presented in Figure 1.4

Figure 1.4: System Class Diagram

Admin: It takes care of login activity, register activity, adding new stakeholders to the system as well as modifying old
ones, addition and editing of new articles.
Collaborators: MUSTwiki
Supervisor: It takes care of viewing, adding and editing articles from wiki, filling supervisor report and creating
appointment with Students.
Collaborators: Supervisor Report, MUSTwiki, Supervisor Appointment and Admin
a) Student: It does filling of student progress report as well as viewing, adding and editing articles from MUSTwiki.
Collaborators: Admin, student progress report, MUSTwiki supervisor appointment.
b) Supervisor Report: The object submits a report with grading on student progress according to plan, frequency of
consultation, remarks by the supervisor and recommendations.
Collaborators: Supervisor
c) Student Thesis Progress Report: It takes care of submitting a report that includes students’ stage of study,
consultation sessions and list attained milestones.
Collaborators: Student.
d) Supervisor Appointment: The class returns student information alongside supervisor appointment date.
Collaborators: Supervisor, Student.
e) Student Progress Graph: The object here generates a graph from the results of submissions made from supervisor
report in the supervisor report class and stage of study from the student progress report class.
Collaborators: Supervisor Report, Student progress report.
f) MUSTwiki: It takes care of adding, editing and viewing articles.
Collaborators: Admin, Supervisor, Student.
Interface Info: It keeps the record of every student such as name, id, phone number, email, department, supervisor, co
supervisor, study mode, and program.
4.3 Home Page Design
The home page uses slide down feature to navigate to other pages within the system. Home, Supervisor Appointment,
Info, Student Progress Report, Supervisor Report, Mobile Learning System (MlS), and Student Report Graph uses the
navigation panel for links between pages. The navigation panel can be found at the top of all pages, and the current
user page is highlighted in a red color as shown in Figure 1.5

Figure 1.5: Home Page
4.4 Video Conference

From the getting started page there is a link for creating meeting where students can collaborate with one another.
Here, the initiator of the meeting uses his name to create an instance. A link bearing the name of the conference
initiator can be used to invite others to join. A start meeting link will thereafter navigate the user to a page as shown in
Figure 1.6. There are options for video or audio presentation involving a presenter and attendee. For audio, a
headphone button will enable audio presenter and attendee conference. While a Webcam button will enable video
conferencing option for presenter and multiple attendees.
Figure 1.6: Video Conference Page
Some of the important features that can be of advantage to the users are:
Presentation: It can display .pdf, .docs, and image files that are less than 30 megabytes. There is an upload and
whiteboard icon at lower left and right of the page respectively. Users can drag and drop files on the presentation panel
and set zoom level for attendees.
User: It displays every member of the room, icon for hand rising during presentation, webcam icon for viewing feeds
from a particular user and a presenter icon for presenter swapping.

Listener: Listeners share microphone on the VoIP connection. Speaker has a mute listener icon for presenters to mute
or amplify a listener. An eject icon for presenter to eject a listener and a lock icon near a given username.
Chat: A text box at the lower right of the panel can be used by users to commence chat with all the room members.
There is a + tab that provides list of all room users for chat with a specific user.
5. SYSTEM TESTING AND DISCUSSION

The system testing was done to prove that the application work as expected, to identify system errors and ensure that
the system is validated. The Table 1.8 presents the testing of the functional requirements using the Android
Genymotion emulator.
Table 1.8: Functional Requirement Test
Test Case Test Content Input Pass Criteria Result
User sign Up Checks that the User fills out the Application displays Pass
application allows the sign up form, using “Registration Successful, you
user to sign up his name, email and are now logged in” then
password. redirects the user to the main
screen.
User sign in Checks that the User sign in his/her Application displays Pass
application allows the username and “Welcome to postgraduate
user to sign in password. wiki” then redirects the user
to the main screen.
Edit Details Checks that the User fills out new Application displays “The Pass
application allows the details changes have been saved”
user to edit their details
after registering
Add/Edit Checks that the User clicks on MIS Application Redirects User to Pass
Articles application allows the MUST wiki
user to add/edit articles
Supervisor Checks that the User clicks on Application displays The Pass
Report application allows the Supervisor Report form page and user submits a
user (Supervisor) to fill and fill up the form filled up form displaying
a report and submit to “Thank you, your submission
centre for postgraduate has been received”
studies (CPS)
Student Progress Checks that the User clicks on Application displays The Pass
Report application allows the Student progress form page and user submits a
user (Student) to fill a Report and fill up filled up form displaying
report and submit to the form “Thank you, your submission
centre for postgraduate has been received”
studies (CPS)
Similarly, a test on the non-functional requirements is ensued.
Usability: The application presents the same user interface in every screen using the same style for menus, buttons and
layouts as they are presented in the design.
Notification: The application shows comprehensible and detailed notification messages to the user. This was tested by
screening through all the displayed pages and using all the functions that have been implemented.
Reliability: The system carries out tasks without failing, and work on all Android smart phones that were used for the
testing.
Security: Accessibility of the app would only be done through user log in credentials. Nobody can have access to forms
without passing through the sign in operation.
Time constraint: The AWS threads that were used in the implementation to repossess the web server data decrease the
application response time.
Flexibility: With the help of Drupal in the implementation, the system has the ability to accept new operations and
features.
5.1 Application UI Test
The UI test was carried out to ensure that the application return the accurate UI output in response to a series of user
actions on the device. Table 1.9 presents the summary of the test.

Table 1.9: UI Test Cases
Test Content Test Result

Checks that the application UI shows the Menu in all screens Pass
Checks that the application UI shows the keyboard input in all Text field objects such as remarks, Pass
consultation points discussed, username and all writable fields on our form.
Checks that the application UI shows all buttons correctly in all screens. Pass
Checks that the application shows the Progress Dialogs during and after submission of forms. Pass
Checks that all screens lack crashing errors. Pass
Checks that the UI shows the header text accurately in all screens. Pass
Checks that the UI shows the error recognition messages Pass
Checks that the UI shows content in all screen orientation Pass
Checks that the UI shows the Main Screen navigation Tabs Pass
6. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION

This research makes a contribution to the input of mobile devices to education in the field of distance learning and
postgraduate research community. It provides a learning activity that has tendencies of increasing collaboration
between students. The study highlighted aspects of postgraduate research that will bargain mobile learning as a
learning support mechanism. In addition, the study makes way for a new dawn in mobile learning that allows
institutions to admit students of all ages.
The implementation of a fully functional mobile web application that houses improved performance and support
distance learning will engage researchers in mobile learning and make students more active and motivated during
consultation sessions.
The study brings an elevated amount of collaboration within postgraduate research students. Currently, there are not
many applications that provide distance learning or that can be used during consultation sessions. Hence developers can
extend the current functions or add new ones that will enhance postgraduate research.
Lastly, the study has introduced the concept of PGwiki for the comparatively new research field of mobile applications
to assist postgraduate research. To the best of the researcher’s knowledge, this is the first time that the fresh idea of
PGwiki is devised. Although further understanding of the dynamic concept is needed to give a precise definition of
PGwiki, this novel concept gives researchers and educators an idea of the increasing trend of using mobile apps to
assist in Postgraduate research.
References
[1] Ingrid Nielsen, Alexander Newman, Russell Smyth, Giles Hirst & Barbara Heilemann (2017) The influence of
instructor support, family support and psychological capital on the well-being of postgraduate students: a
moderated mediation model, Studies in Higher Education, 42:11, 2099-2115, DOI:
10.1080/03075079.2015.1135116.
[2] Andrew A. Chien (2018), Never-ending learning, Communications of the ACM, Volume 61 Issue 5, May 2018,
103-115.
[3] Nonzukiso Tyilo (2017) E-Learning as Instructional Innovation in Higher Education Institutions (HEI’s): Lessons
Learnt from the Literature, Journal of Communication, 8:1, 87-93, DOI: 10.1080/0976691X.2017.1305687.
[4] Mehdipour, Y., 2013. Mobile Learning for Education : Benefits and Challenges. , pp.93–101.
[5] Shuang Hao, Mengyao Cui , Vanessa P. Dennen , Yalın Kılıç Türel, Li Mei (2017). Analysis of mobile learning as
an innovation in higher education: a comparative study of three countries, International Journal of Mobile
Learning and Organisation, Volume 11, Issue 4, DOI: 10.1504/IJMLO.2017.087080.
[6] Kadirire, J. (2009). Mobile Learning DeMystified. In Guy, R. (Ed.), The Evolution of Mobile Teaching and
Learning. Santa Rosa, California: Informing Science Press.
[7] Kaliisa, Rogers; Picard, Michelle (2017). A Systematic Review on Mobile Learning in Higher Education: The
African Perspective. Turkish Online Journal of Educational Technology (TOJET), vol 16(1) p1-18 Jan 2017.
[8] Arun Kumar, Matthias Boehm, Jun Yang (2017). Data Management in Machine Learning: Challenges,
Techniques, and Systems, Proceedings of the 2017 ACM International Conference on Management of Data, Pages
1717-1722, Chicago, Illinois, USA — May 14 - 19, 2017.
[9] Menghi C., Spoletini P., Ghezzi C. (2017) Integrating Goal Model Analysis with Iterative Design. In: Grünbacher
P., Perini A. (eds) Requirements Engineering: Foundation for Software Quality. REFSQ 2017. Lecture Notes in
Computer Science, vol 10153. Springer, Cham.

[10] Korucu, A. T., & Alkan, A. (2011). Differences between m-learning (mobile learning) and e-learning, basic
terminology and usage of m-learning in education. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, 15, 1925–1930.
http://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2011.04.029.
[11] Kukulska-Hulme, A., & Traxler, J. (2005). Mobile Learning: a Handbook for Educators and Trainers, USA:
Taylor & Francis.
AUTHORS
Munir Kolapo Yahya-Imam holds a PhD degree in Informatics from Malaysia University of Science
and Technology (MUST), Selangor, Malaysia. He holds a Masters degree in Information Technology
from MUST and Bachelor degree in Computer Science major from Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin,
Nigeria. He is currently a lecturer at Lincoln University College Malaysia. His research areas of interest
include Network Bandwidth Management, Data Communication, Transportation Informatics,
Blockchain and Mobile Computing.
Abba Sulaiman Abubakar holds a Master’s of Science degree in Information Technology from
Malaysia university of Science and Technology and a Bachelor degree in Mathematics from Bayero
University, Kano, Nigeria. He is currently working as a senior software developer at Brinks Integrated
Solution Limited, Abuja, Nigeria. His areas of research include Software Engineering, Data Science,
Data Analytic, and Mobile Computing.

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IPASJ International Journal of Information Technology (IIJIT)

Web Site: http://www.ipasj.org/IIJIT/IIJIT.htm

An Enhance Integrated System to Facilitate

Table 1.1: Learning System Categories

Learning Method Description Strengths Weakness

Volume 7, Issue 3, March 2019 Page 4

2.1 E-learning VS Mobile Learning

Keywords E-learning Mobile learning

2.1 E-Learning VS Mobile Learning Platforms

Table 1.3: E-Learning VS Mobile Learning Platforms

Volume 7, Issue 3, March 2019 Page 5

Analysis of relevant literatures based

Design and implementation of

Evaluation and system testing

Figure 1.1: Methodology Framework

Volume 7, Issue 3, March 2019 Page 6

3.1 System Architecture

Figure 1.2: Architectural Design of the Application

Figure 1.3: Use Case Diagram

Volume 7, Issue 3, March 2019 Page 7

Use Case Name Supervisor Report

Table 1.6: Submit Student Progress Report Scenario

Use Case Name Student Progress Report

Table 1.7: Admin Post/Edit, View Article Scenario

4.2 Class Diagram

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Figure 1.4: System Class Diagram

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Figure 1.5: Home Page

4.4 Video Conference

Figure 1.6: Video Conference Page

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5. SYSTEM TESTING AND DISCUSSION

Volume 7, Issue 3, March 2019 Page 11

Table 1.9: UI Test Cases

Test Content Test Result

6. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION

Volume 7, Issue 3, March 2019 Page 12

Volume 7, Issue 3, March 2019 Page 13

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