FICS Student Papers

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https://repository.upou.edu.ph/handle/20.500.13073/11
Research outputs by graduate students and selected Capstone Project Reports by undergraduate students of the Faculty of Information and Communication Studies.

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    Technical Challenges with E-Learning Tolls: A Bachelor of Arts in Multimedia Studies Case Study
    ( 2012) Leongson, Joanna Camila T.
    Technology is a key instrument in distance learning. The University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU) has been utilizing distance learning tools to facilitate the learning process. The first batch of Bachelor of Arts in Multimedia Studies (BAMS) students, as well as the faculty, has been exploring these tools. Distance learning tools were used for effective communication, access to information, and different ways of fulfilling course requirements. However, both the students and faculty may have also experienced technical challenges. This study aimed to assess the usage of the different distance learning tools (Moodle, Email, Yahoo! Messenger, Skype, Google Groups, WizIQ, Academiacs, and Facebook) by the senior students and faculty of the Bachelor of Arts in Multimedia Studies (BAMS) through Web surveys. From their usage of the distance learning tools, the technological challenges were determined. The distance learning tools have been grouped according to the type of teaching and learning, and interaction. Type I refers to distance learning tools used for teaching and receiving (student-teacher interaction); Type II refers to facilitating and sharing (student-student interaction), and Type III refers to collaborative teaching and learning (collaborative interaction or student-teacher and student interaction). The usage and technical challenges were classified into the access to distance learning online tools, functionality of the tools, interaction with the tools or effects of tools in the interaction of students and instructors, and attitude towards the tools.
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    Student's Usage of and Attitudes Toward Multimedia Resource in Selected Private High Schools in Davao City
    ( 2012) Suicano, Ricky I.
    This study aimed to determine the students' usage of and attitudes toward multimedia resources in high school level in Davao City. The illustrative survey method was used to determine the students' usage of and attitudes toward multimedia resources in high school level specifically, the profile of the respondents, the students' attitudes toward multimedia resources in their library, the extent students are using multimedia resources, the extent to which multimedia resources contribute to the students' usage of their library, the factors that influence students' use or non-use of multimedia resources, the students' perception on the relevance of available multimedia resources and the relationship between the student's use of and attitudes toward these resources. The questionnaire was the main instrument used in gathering data from the 173 students of secondary level in selected private schools in Davao City. Percentage, weighted mean and chi-square were the statistical tools used on this study. Based on the findings, the respondents sometimes use the multimedia resources in their library. Most of them use multimedia resources less than once a week. They are undecided as to what extent do multimedia resources contribute to their usage of library as well as to the factors that influence their use or non-use of multimedia resources in their library. On the other hand, they agreed to moderate extent on the relevance of available multimedia resources in the library. Results also show that there is no relationship between the students' use of and attitudes toward multimedia resources in the library.
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    A Case Study on the Use of Multimedia in Resource Mobilization and Advocacy Work of Upland NGOs the Cases of the Kalahan Educational Foundation (KEF), Koalisyon Ng Katutubong Samahan Ng Pilipinas (KASAPI) and the Upland Marketing Foundation Incorporated (UMFI)
    ( 2012) Martinez, Diana Jean
    Multimedia is known to facilitate communication with and heighten awareness of the target audiences. It obliterates distance and time as it provides accessibility and interactivity at any time and at any place, although several technical considerations have to be considered as well. The study aims to contribute to the limited information on NGOs, particularly on the small to medium sized upland NGOs' usage of multimedia. This study looks at the multimedia capacity of these organizations, as well as the multimedia material, tools, and applications being utilized by upland NGOs in their activities particularly in fund sourcing and advocacy initiatives. It also attempts to determine the effectiveness of these multimedia applications according to the purpose by which these were adopted. The study shows that there is a wide recognition of the immense capacity of multimedia in information dissemination in general and upland NGOs are currently utilizing various multimedia applications and tools in project implementation, resource mobilization and advocacy support. Effectiveness of these applications has also been rated to be very effective where desired output was completely achieved.
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    Biomodd Do-It-Yourself Manual
    ( 2012) Gomez, Blaise Cedrick N.
    Biomodd is a collaborative art project that strives to generate a symbiotic relationship between electronic elements and ecological life. Each version of the project is predicated by the following themes: 1) fusion of technology and ecology, 2) re-use and recycling of e-waste, 3) sculptural approach in case modding, 4) gaming, 5) collaboration and cocreation and 6) open-sourcing. In 2009 a manual for building a version of Biomodd was created. However, its contents were mostly tips and warnings that the author has for Biomodd builders. It is more of a commentary than an objective manual. To fill this gap, the creation of a second version of the Biomodd DIY Manual is needed. The second version of the manual improves upon its predecessor, by integrating multimedia content and including links to online resources. These will provide potential Biomodd makers sufficient information to properly address challenges that the development team will be encountering, while building a version of Biomodd. The first part of the manual tackles the themes behind Biomodd, the project's stages of development and solutions to issues and concerns that may arise during the build process. The second part is comprised of tips and suggestions that the author has for future development teams. All of these were drawn from the author's personal experiences and observations, while working in various versions of the Philippine Biomodd.
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    A Perception Survey on the Influence of Social Media on the Academic Performance of Public High School Senior Student in Tagum City
    ( 2012) Suaybaguio, Mervin Jay
    Filipino students have become more and more active in using social media sites. Two of the most popular among these sites, Facebook and YouTube, are of the interest in this study. Several studies have been conducted to examine the impacts of the active use of social media to the academic performance of the students. However, these studies were not able to produce results from which generalizations as to the negative and positive effects of the use of these social media sites can be derived. In the absence of these generalizations, this study looked into the specific case of some groups of students in Tagum City. As analyzing the influence is deemed to be a complicated measure, this study aimed to at least cover the preliminaries, that is, user perception. A perception survey was conducted. From which, students conferred that the effects of social media in their studies is mostly positive. It has been deduced as well that though social media pose negative impacts, it is mostly due to the lack of the sense of responsibility of the user, and the lack of accountability from the parents, guardians, and mentors. It is thus recommended, that as in all good things concerning the youth, moderation is the key and parental guidance is advised.
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    Installation of a Virtual Language Laboratory Integrated into a Learning Management System Using Open-Source Technolog
    ( 2012) San Buenaventura, Roy B.
    This project is about the implementation of a virtual language laboratory integrated into the online learning management software using open source technology. A computer is installed with Ubuntu Server 11.10 64-bit as its operating system. To manage the server, Webmin version 1.570 is installed. Moodle version 2.2.2 is then installed as the learning management software. To integrate the language laboratory into the Moodle system, Red5 Media Server version 0.8.0 is then installed into the Ubuntu box. Inside Moodle, MoodLL version 2 plugin is then added which is then activated as one of the activity blocks in the management of courses. This installation intends to replace the existing language laboratory systems which are using either the traditional setup of cassette tapes and reels; or the newer digital setup using computers in a single room.
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    Implementing and Maintaining a Completely Free Solution for Hosting a Small Organization's Content-Management System
    ( 2013) Olavides, Meneleo P.
    A website is a very powerful and efficient content management system (CMS) platform for storing, updating, and distributing information over the Network. It is a very ideal system that primarily focuses on automating the process of information dissemination, retrieval, and querying. Through a website, data and information that were previously written on manual files are already being encoded and stored in electronic format. These electronic files, which are patterned after the convention of a content management system, are now made more flexible compared to their manual counterparts. In view of this, a website therefore is very applicable in managing and disseminating information that are often subject to repetitive updates and queries such as those of a cooperative. Providing a website for the TRC employees' cooperative however entails a sizable amount of investment that may go against the basic principle of frugality or financial conservation on their part. Moreover, it is also possible that not every officer and member of the cooperative are aware of the advantages of a website for their organization; considering the organization's long time practice of disseminating data and information among its members in the traditional manner. Being mindful of these, it is therefore proposed through this project that a cost-free beta version CMS website be constructed and implemented for the TRC employees' cooperative. This beta version is envisioned to serve as an initial platform for future improvements by the time when the cooperative has already enough awareness and capacity to adapt and implement a full-scale CMS website in its operation. Providing a cost-free CMS website for the TRC employees' cooperative therefore will not only enhance the management and dissemination of information among its members, but will also enhance the image of the cooperative itself; translating into a sense of pride among its members. These enhancements will later become part of the cooperative's intangible asset that increases members' confidence and patronage towards their organization. Moreover, this cost-free website project will not compromise the cooperative into any financial and miscellaneous obligations. This manuscript includes all the details in creating and implementing a completely free solution for hosting the TRC employees' cooperative CMS website. This manuscript also contains a brief summary of the cooperative member's feedback regarding the website when it is already published online.
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    Basay National High School Online Registration System
    ( 2014) Estrellado, Jeanalyn G.
    This project research is about the Online Registration System of Basay National High School. The current system problem includes excessive paper consumption, multiple entries of forms, filing difficulties, and handwritten data entry errors. This system was proposed in order to automate the enrollment, organize the students' file automatically and print the ID and students' records directly. Thus, it could save time and effort, as well as increase productivity. The recipient of this project is Basay National High School formerly Basay Municipal High School in 1971, established by the local government headed by its town officials and in coordination with the Department of Education, Culture and Sports (DECS) administrators of the Division of Negros Oriental. The school enrollment is approximately more than 700 students for the last three years. The system is accessible via the internet. The principal, registrar and the teacher-adviser can access the system anywhere provided that there is an internet connection. The editing and adding of data is only limited to the teacher-adviser. The data is printable according to the format needed. The format includes school ID, report card, form 137, good moral and diploma. The program used is XHTML 1.0 Transitional, PHP 5.4.35, CSS, Apache for the webhost and Joomla 3.3.6 for the content management (Kempkens, 214). For the system development process and design studies, the Information Systems Strategic Planning (ISSP) of Strategic Information Systems Development (SISD) course in MIS was used (Khan, 2003). The project assessment scheme involved preliminary tool for strategic planning like the SWOT Analysis. The output of this assessment process is concerned about the relevance, feasibility and sustainability of the project. Basay National High School Online Enrollment System study and project is sponsored by PCAFPD (Peace Corps Alumni Foundation for Philippine Development).
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    Integrated Information Systems for Enhanced Accounts Management
    ( 2017) Maniquis, Byron V.
    The University Computer Center, an office under the office of the Chancellor of the University of the Philippines Diliman, utilizes an increasing number of information systems to manage the Diliman Network accounts and related services To improve efficiency and raise productivity, this project integrated several information systems into one enhanced accounts management website The new website consolidated the functionalities of several information systems into one with three main (3) modules (1) accounts management module. (2) mail module, and (3) proxy module. It also enhanced the existing features of these modules. The development was divided into three (3) major phases covering each module Through the use of Technology Acceptance Model theory, the perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use of the integrated system was evaluated to determine if the project achieved its goal. The reported findings show there is a significant relationship between the perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness which affects the attitude of the administrators towards using the new website. There is a strong correlation between perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness. Perceived usefulness has stronger correlation compared to perceived ease of use on the attitude toward using. Based on these findings, the goal of the project to integrate and enhance the accounts management is achieved.
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    Go Guro Mobile Application Built with Android and Firebase
    ( 2018) Ermitano, Jeano Frederick U.
    In universities or colleges, most students have control of their class schedule. There's also instances of irregular students, whose class times are different, depending on what's available during enrolment. Hence, there are times a student needs help with a lesson, making a project, or reviewing for exams, but there are no available professors or classmates. To find help, one must roam the campus and ask other students face-to-face. Often, they will be discouraged to ask because of fear of rejection or that they're too shy to ask. The proposal is Go Guro, a mobile application for students who need help quick. The tutee selects the subject they need help and with a press of a button, the app instantly searches for nearby people who also have the app. The tutors can choose to accept or decline the tutee's invitation. Once accepted, a map shows the location of both which can be used to find each other. Once they meet in-person, the study session can now be started by the tutor. Mobile devices using Android 4.0.3 "Ice Cream Sandwich" up to Android 8.0 "Oreo" was targeted. Android Studio was used for development with Java as the programming language. Firebase was used to provide backend services. Testing resulted in satisfactory remarks from end-users, indicating that it is practical to use in their college. They would also like to see it published on Google Play for every student and teacher to use, regardless of school. The application lessened the user's rejection fears by making the invitations anonymous, meaning the tutee cannot see the name and face of the tutor and vice-versa. Only when the tutor accepts the invite will they see each other's names and faces. Go Guro does not show the tutors who have rejected the invite, but only those who accepted.
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    Survey Management Information System for the Novaliches District Hospital
    ( 2018) Pasamonte, Samuel Patrick R.
    The Survey Statistics Information System is intended for use by the research and administrative staff of the Novaliches District Hospital to streamline their patient satisfaction survey process. Since the current process is, depending on department, either to get all patients, or to use convenience sampling, there would either be too much work (if all patients were surveyed), or a possibility of bias (since not all patients have an equal chance of selection). The objective of this information system is to move surveys towards a probability sampling, which saves time and effort on the staff implementing the survey. The information system also provides automated statistical reporting with visualizations, which translates into actionable insights on the part of hospital administration, without needing to hire trained statisticians to interpret statistical reports.
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    The Booksale, The Main Classified Ads Website for Books
    ( 2018) Gagni, James Jr., L.
    Online bookselling had been vibrant for years. However, for a private individual or small business, there were some challenges. Among them were restrictions put on sellers of used books, while major websites only sold new books. Although classified ads websites were an alternative, book ads often got buried under those websites' numerous categories. The proposed solution to tackle these challenges was the website called The Booksale, which aimed to become the main classified ads website for books. Among its objectives were to provide a new platform for online bookselling, allow sellers to post as many ads as they want for free, and be a dedicated ads site for books. During research, the Information System Theory utilized was Michael Porter's Differentiation Focus under Competitive Advantage. Based on The Booksale's focus on books, it allowed an increased competitive advantage for the booksellers. For the development of the website, the software development life cycle approach used was the Rapid Application Development (RAD) method. Several clients were approached who provided responses for a Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats (SWOT) Analysis. To assess the success of the project, the clients also gave feedback for the User Acceptance Testing (UAT) and System Usability Scale (SUS) survey. Based on these results, it was concluded that the project achieved its objectives. When fully implemented, this project could open opportunities for online booksellers, especially private individuals and small businesses. With nothing else like it today, it contributed to the current Information Systems knowledge.
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    Exploring Information and Communication Technology Access and Awareness Among People with Disabilities
    ( 2019) Maceda, James Harvey
    The study aims to raise awareness about the PWD hindered in accessing ICT and other multimedia products, specifically, it seeks to discuss and identify the following objectives: • Discuss the importance of ICT access to PWD. • Identify the possible advantages or how ICT access can help PWD. The virtual reality documentary produced by this study will raise awareness about the present condition of PWD in the information age and how opportunities for them are hindered through certain factors. In addition, the documentary may have an indirect benefit for all PWD by inspiring ICT initiatives to further help PWD in accessing multimedia products. For instance, an improvement to Assistive Technologies (AT) will greatly help in narrowing the disability divide and providing more ICT-related opportunities for PWD. While the study focuses on PWD, it can also help people without disabilities by realizing how important ICT access is. Therefore, maximizing their potentials in the information age knowing that they are able enough to do certain works.
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    If It Exists: A New Media Artwork
    ( 2019) Villena, Dan Dominic A.
    If It Exists is a new media artwork that incorporates local wireless cloud saving, custom coding, microcontrollers, LED strips, basic projection mapping and crafting in an attempt at making a communal experience that tackles a realized technological version of an afterlife. From the conception of this artwork, it has always been centralized with animal companions in an effort to make it a more universal and accessible experience. It is also a decision that consciously tries to contrasts itself from the artworks of others that tackle the topics of death, loss and the afterlife in a more morbid manner. It is also purposely kitsch, in an effort to make it more relatable, shareable and accessible.
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    Dama: Designing a Multisensory Glove
    ( 2019) Reyes, Mariel Francesca I.
    The special project intends to design a glove that incorporates vibrotactile technology for sensorimotor rehabilitation. The project is based on several previous works on the use of vibrating motors on the human body. The project aims to answer the question if it is possible to design a tool that will help a person rehabilitate a part of themselves, and in the case for this project, it will be used on their hands since it is the most common sensorimotor organ. The glove’s design is based on several universal principles of design; perceptibility, operability, and prevention. This also includes the principle of Aesthetic-Usability Effect. The motors will be fastened on the joints and are controlled over a Wi-Fi connection through a software programmed in processing that uses patterns. The program or the software is a collaboration with a previous work called “Haplos” that also uses vibrotactile motors. The project combined the use of motors and the LED lights that will create a multisensory stimulation (auditory, tactile and visual). The focus on this project will be on the process of designing the glove itself, the testing process for the work will be considered for further the research.
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    Evaluating Accessibility of the Massive Open Distance e-Learning (MODeL) Platform
    ( 2019) Celzo, Hyacinth C.
    As one of the constituents of the country’s national university and premier institution of higher learning, the University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU) provides and delivers Massive Open Online Courses as learning opportunities for more people anywhere in the country or the world. The official platform of UPOU MOOCs is the Massive Open Distance e-Learning website, also called the MODeL platform. The main purpose of this research is to evaluate the accessibility of the platform, the selected course site, and the course materials of that course site, which are available to the students. The selected MOOC was Oral Communication and Conversational Fluency (CFE 101). The platform, course site, and course materials were evaluated using Initial Checks, the WCAG-EM report tool, along with several web accessibility evaluation tools. In the evaluation and audit reports, there are failures in several WCAG 2.0 guidelines in three levels of conformance, Levels A, AA, and AAA. The students from two batches (March and June) of the selected MOOC were invited to participate in offline and online surveys. The evaluation and the survey revealed that there are accessibility issues that need to be addressed as these are crucial to the overall learning experience of the users and students, especially to persons with disabilities. This research concludes that the accessibility issues of the MODeL website be addressed and fixed to provide a better and more effective delivery of MOOCs. This research also allows for more research and more opportunities for the improvement of the university.
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    The Dark Side of the Street: A Documentary Video About Women and Their Experience on Street Harassment
    ( 2019) Mabalay, Marikit M.
    Street harassment is defined as physical and verbal unwanted behaviors done by a stranger in the public sphere. At an early age, the filmmaker has experienced various acts of street harassment. When she was in grade school, he saw a drunk man trying to molest a girl in a jeepney. When she was in high school, a man flashed his genitals before her eyes on her way to school. The filmmaker also experiences catcalling almost everyday of her life but did not have the courage to tell anyone about her experiences because of the fear to be blamed. The Dark Side of the Streets tells the story of random women who have street harassment experiences in Quezon City and Manila, two of the only cities in the country to pass an anti- catcalling bill or the Safe City for Women and Girls ordinance. Six (6) women were randomly interviewed by the Filmmaker and one woman who was picked based on the severity of her experiences. The project was created to raise awareness among both men and women about the implications of street harassment and to expand its discourse. As of today, there is still no law about street harassment. Street Harassment falls under sexual harassment in our country, which are two different things. Anti-Sexual Harassment Act or R.A No. 7877, declares sexual harassment unlawful in employment, education or training environment only. Street harassment stands apart from this, because street harassment is usually done in public sphere by a stranger. A bill is yet to be signed by the President of the Philippines that would tackle the lack of protection for Women and Girls in the streets, Safe Streets and Public Spaces Act of 2017 (S.B No 1326) authored by Sen. Risa Hontiveros. The filmmaker also aims those who have watched the video share their experiences. This why the filmmaker collaborated with a social media advocacy page, "Catcalled in the Philippines" that has 66,920 likes. The page has helped the video reached a lot of people. The Dark Side of the Street has reached 15,100 views, 291 shares, 302 likes, and 19 comments as of March 22, 2019. (https://www.facebook.com/catcalledinthePH/videos/290727768261895/)
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    Social Media as Platforms for Disclosure Among University Students Diagnosed with Clinical Depression
    ( 2019) Briones, Ronalyn B.
    In this grounded study, I aimed to understand the role social media plays in the disclosures of university students diagnosed with clinical depression. Using triangulation mixed-method design in gathering, analyzing and interpreting data, I extracted the following: (1) the reasons why university students diagnosed with clinical depression disclose online, (2) the characteristics of social media that entice them to use it, and (3) how social media as a communication platform became a common ground for disclosures. The Uses and Gratifications Theory was used as a lens in understanding and explaining integrated findings from the gathered data. It was found that university students diagnosed with clinical depression use and disclose on social media because of the following motivations: (1) social interaction, (2) identity-seeking, (3) information-seeking and sharing, and (4) escapism. On the other hand, the characteristics and features of social media platforms that entice them to disclose them are the following (1) Social Media Strengthens Different Expressions of Oneself, (2) Social Media Supports Creation of a Safe Online Environment/Space, (3) Social Media Allows Compartmentalization of Personalities, (4) Social Media Bridges Distance and Promotes Building of Communities, (5) Social Media Helps Make Online Help/Support Available Instantly, Immediately, and 24/7, (6) Social Media Encourages Content Brevity, (7) Social Media Promotes Understanding of Others, (8) Social Media Allows Audience to React on Posts, and (9) Social Media Encourages Promotion of Various Advocacies. Through social media content analysis, thefollowing findings also emerged: (1) Photos with Captions dominate post in Instagram with the use of emoticons, (2) Majority of the Facebook posts are photos and memes which are shared from other users' posts, and (3) Most Engagements Happen Through Replies and Retweets on Twitter. In the analysis of the contents shared on all the platforms, four themes emerged. These are advocacies, personal struggles, popular culture, and relationships. Another one emerged in Instagram: the emotions and feelings of introversion and isolation. Of all these, popular culture is the most frequent subject of the participants' posts in all three platforms. Another finding is the participants' consumption of memes. Memes have become a new format of addressing issues that rarely get talked about, in a funny way. While Instagram offers a more filtered but a more creative expression of oneself and Twitter is for the authentic and uncensored postings, Facebook is a mixture of both, and memes are becoming tools balancing authentic but less dramatic and more fun disclosures. This study further showed the need for social media as a communication space to be kept safe and conducive for healing and recovery. It is recommended that all stakeholders and all active social media users be mindful of our and other people's online behavior so we can respond well to those who are suffering and in need of our help.
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    Online Grading System for Mindanao State University Maigo School of Arts and Trades
    ( 2019) Borngo, Javer C.
    This paper presents an online grading system for Mindanao State University Maigo School of Arts and Trades that was developed to collect, process, and return the grades produced by faculty members. It discusses the design requirements, features, and implementation of the online grading system, as well as reactions from Faculty members and Students. It is shown that this system has a number of advantages over analog grading methods, including scalability, real-time feedback on the status of grading, the reduced potential for human error in compiling grades, the ability for faculty members members to grade remotely and to revise their grades after submission, the ability to return both provisional and final grades to the course faculty, and students in a timely manner, and the ability to archive and export grading data for future use. Although the online system is a clear improvement over manual or paper based, it is also shown that small details can interfere with usability and thus user satisfaction and that compatibility with mobile devices is a necessary, but still unaddressed, requirement. The application can run locally on an on premise server, or hosted from a web-server on the Internet. It is developed using PHP and can be hosted on either a Linux or Windows server via XAMPP and using a MySQL server. The application itself will feature a front-end and a back-end system and will be secured by a user management module. The users will be grouped into either faculty, student, admin and super admin where all backend configurations are. The Online Grading System intends to solve the problems met in the manual process of the grading system.
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    Nizwa College of Technology Mobile Library Assistant
    ( 2019) Pascual, Ana Marie B.
    NCT Mobile Library Assistant is a mobile application of library system of Nizwa College of Technology to run in Android platforms by providing a downloadable APK (Android Application Package), which aims to increase the rate of usage of the academic library and make collections more accessible to students, faculty members and staff. The application aims to take advantage of the technology that will help analyze user's usage and level of engagement and satisfaction to library that can benefit to the improvement of services and facilities currently being offered. Nowadays, Nizwa College of Technology has a high expenditure on the library system that is not being fully maximized by students and staff. The proposal of developing an accessible, adaptable and user-friendly mobile library application can lead to high percentage of usage and new method of engaging students and staff to further promotes the library services. NCT Mobile Library Assistant application was integrated to the existing online library system of the school using software development life cycle methodology, lonic which is a powerful HTML5 SDK that mainly focus on the look and feel, and UI interaction using web technologies like CSS, HTML and Javascript, AngularJS and Lumen which is a PHP micro framework to build an application interface. NCT Mobile Library Assistant application was tested out by several students, staff and faculty members of Nizwa College of Technology.