DEVELOPMENT OF AN INTELLIGENT WEB-BASED TUTORING SYSTEM FOR LEARNING MYSQL IN NIGERIA UNIVERSITIES

The study sought to develop an intelligent web-based tutoring system for learning MySQL in Nigeria Universities. Research and development  design was adopted for the study. Five research questions and one null hypotheses was tested at 0.05 level of significance guided the study. The population of the study was 302 lecturers and final year students from universities in Delta State. A sample of 186 lecturers and students were used for this study. A 28-item questionnaire titled: Software Requirement Specification Questionnaire (SRSQ), 9-Alpha testing Evaluation Questionnaire and 10-item Student Personalized Response Validation Questionnaire (SPRVQ) was used for data collection. The instruments were subjected to face validation by five experts. The data collected were analyzed using mean and ANCOVA. Mean was used for answering the research questions while ANCOVA statistic was used to test the null hypotheses. The reliability of the instrument yield 0.98 using Cronbach Alpha formular. The findings of the study showed that intelligent web based tutoring system do not required a technical person before the system would be used, this study also revealed that dream waver is not appropriate for development of an intelligent web based tutoring system. Based on the findings of the study, appropriate recommendations were made, among which are (Nigerian Universities Commission) NUC should adopt the Intelligent Web based Tutoring System for learning MySQL in higher institutions. Workshops and seminars should be organized by ministries of education and related government agencies to enlighten lecturers in computer science and computer robotics education, to improve their knowledge and skills on the use of Intelligent Web based Tutoring system and other ICT instructional medium as found in this study to be effective in enhancing students’ cognitive achievement, psychomotor achievement and retention of learning in technical and vocational trade programmes.

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CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study

Education is a necessary human virtue and essential for the society because it reflects the personality of the human beings in our society (Mansi & Atul, 2016). Chimombo (2005) sees  education  as  a  key  factor  for  sustainable  development.  Graduates  and  company employees are continuously in need to learn more, advance knowledge, but oftentimes have limited opportunities to do so due to time, location, and cost limitations involved in the traditional learning. Internet has eliminated borders to get information and makes it possible to reach any information on the earth by just a click (Anderson & Elloumi, 2002). Due to the advent of the Internet and it’s widespread, its’ use across several fields has in no small way been one of the greatest developmental transitions of the 21st century (Arent & Freebush,

2013). The paradigm shift in the use of computer network and other technologies, which came as answer to this high demand, brought an opportunity to virtual learning, web-based learning, and network and distributed learning, among others.

Human beings have in the past centuries built different tools for remembering and mastering of data. The  components of those systems were based on the contemporarily available tools  and  technologies  (Samuelis,  2007).    Devedzic  (2004);  Mustafa,  Sebnem, Abdulkadir (2016) defined web-based education as Internet based applications that aims to educate people in specific purposes. Salama (2011) pointed out the major advantages associated with use of web based application as it reaches large number of students, allows users to use the system anytime of their choice and ability to identify student’s current performance and progress. The system has the capability to display animations, cartoons and any multimedia to attract its students. The ability to interact with the world-wide-web and

receive immediate feedback, offers exciting possibilities for computer systems that support

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educational activities such as automated tutoring, web based tutor, distance learning, and collaborative learning. Mustafa, Sebnem, Abdulkadir (2016) also pointed out that web based learning is attractive for education, because of its numerous advantages: learners are not restricted to use a specific machine; update issue of software is absent. Intelligent Web-Based tutoring system provides an advantage of individualized instruction without the payment of one to one human tutoring (Mitrovic, 2003).

A tutor is a private instructor (American Heritage, 2016). Tutoring is the act of teaching and instructing or additional teaching designed to help people who need extra help with their studies (Forsyth, 2014). American Heritage (2014) also opined that tutoring is the act, process or art of imparting knowledge and skills. Tutoring systems have evolved over decades, the first generation of computer-assisted educational tools were called, Computer- Aided Instruction (CAI) systems (Sleeman, & Brown, 1982; Salama, 2011). Developing a tutoring system that incorporates the users’ learning goals contextually and uses technology appropriately to meet these goals in an innovative learning environment is a challenging task. Some experts say that learning should occur in context, be active, social, and reflective. The three learning styles are visual, auditory, and kinesthetic thus computer based courses should utilize all  three styles.  Most  of the information  is  visual  and  auditory,  but  can  also  be kinesthetic, as the user interacts with the system via the keyboard and mouse. The kinesthetic interaction determines how the student’s get involved with the material as they move from the passive modes, see and hear, to the active modes, touch and react. Tutoring system can be standalone or web-based that has an embedded database (Singh, 2012).

Database  is  a  collection  of  interrelated  data,  files  and  tables  (Bhardwaj,  2014). Robbins (n.d) defined that database is a persistent, logically coherent collection of inherently meaningful data, relevant to some aspects of the real world. A database is an organized

collection of data. It may be anything from a simple shopping list to a picture gallery or the vast amounts of information in a corporate network (MySQL Manual, 2017). Database is a collection of data with logical coherent structure, specific purpose, coordinated objectives that is varying in size and scope (Database Management System, 2008). Basic Concept (2017) elaborated that, database is a logical collection of related data that describes the entities and their inter-relationships, designed, built and populated for a specific reason. Hans-Petter  (2016)  clarify  that,  database  is  an  integrated  collection  of  logically  related records or files consolidated into a common pool that provides data for one or more multiple uses.

A databased application is designed to help a user accomplish a task. It can be a simple application that displays information in a browser window. A web database is one of the parts of a web application (Valade, 2010). MySQL is a popular database which is used by Web developers. Its speed and small size makes it ideal for a Web site. Added to it is the fact that, it is an open source, which means free, and you have the foundation of its popularity. MySQL (2017) is a popular database management system that is developed, distributed and supported  by  Oracle.  It  is  a  relational  database  management  system  (RDBMS)  which provides multi-user access to great number of database and it also runs as a server. The roots of SQL (2013) go back to square a more mathematical oriented language and SEQUEL, a predecessor of SQL from the seventies, for there to be a manipulation like; granting of access, adding and processing data in a database, you need MySQL server. The process of creating an information system, with all the variables that it entails and which usually need to be taken into account is development (Isaias & Issa, 2015).

Development  is  the  systematic  approach  to  complete  the  software  development process within the time and maintain quality of the software (Mishra  & Dubey, 2013). Developing Intelligent Web-based Tutoring System must pass through series of successive

phases of development from the required specification phase to the final phase of implementation.  Development is the systematic step or process that is taken in order to meet specific objectives or requirements. For the development of intelligent web-based tutoring system (IWBTS) to be carried out the R&D (Research and Development) steps based on the theoretical foundations of iterative life cycle model developed by Winston Royce in 1970 will be used. Development of software must suit the needs of end users (Mohammed, Munassar & Govardhan 2010).  According to Tutorial Points (2017), there are numbers of general models for software development, such as the waterfall model, evolutionary development, formal systems development and reusebased development, iteration model, v- shaped model, spiral model and   extreme model. But, in this research, the development of IWBTS will adopt the iterative life cycle model of software development. The iterative life cycle model unlike the other models builds in evaluation of the software at every developmental phase. It has phases that must be executed in order to successfully builds software. According to Bassil (2012), requirement phase is a complete and comprehensive description of the behaviour of the software to be developed. Mohammed, et al (2010), noted that the Iterative Life Cycle is in five phases which includes requirements phase, design phase, implementation phase, test phase, and review phase.

In the requirements phase often known as Software Requirement Specification (SRS), it involves gathering of information about all the software requirements to be designed and developed during the project life cycle. Mohammed, et al (2010) defines requirement as the expectation for software functionality and the components for building the system. Bassil (2012) further stated that the SRS include such requirements as purpose, scope, perspective, functions, software attributes, user characteristics, functionalities specifications, interface requirements, and database requirements. Software requirements specification permits a rigorous assessment of requirements before design can begin and reduces later redesign

(Bassil,  2012).  It  also  provides  a realistic basis  for estimating  product  costs,  risks,  and schedules. Software requirements specification prevents software projects from failure. SRS is a complete and comprehensive description of the behavior of the software to be developed (Bassil, 2012). In this study, the requirement phase will involve gathering information from, lecturers  in  database  disciplines  and  database  programmers  on  the  specifications  to  be included in the design of IWBTS for teaching MySQL. The requirement phase covers issues like software compatibility, content of database and arrangement of learning content and so on. Design phase is the plan for a solution which includes algorithm design, software architecture design, database conceptual schema and logical diagram design, concept design, graphical user interface design, and data structure definition (Bassil, 2012).

Ian (2004) defines design phase as the software framework of a system. Design phase is the process of planning and problem solving for a software solution (Bassil, 2012). The design phase is the process in which the architectural design of the software is developed to meet the software requirement specification (SRS). Design phase defines the major components and the interaction of those components (Mohammed, Munassar & Govardhan,

2010). Design phase determines the software framework of a system to meet the specific requirements. (Mohammed, Munassar & Govardhan, 2010). Implementation phase refers to the realization of design specifications into a concrete executable program, database, website, or software component through programming and deployment (Bassil, 2012).

Implementation phase is the processes needed to bring new practices into widespread use (Barbara, Joicey, Lynda, Evelyn, Kathy, Mary, & Glen, 2014). Implementation phase is where the real code is written and compiled into an operational application, and where the database and text files are created (Bassil, 2012). This is the longest phase of the software development life cycle, and can be an exciting phase for the user, because, their idea for the software becomes something tangible. Implementation phase is the process of converting the

whole requirements and blueprints into a production environment (Bassil, 2012). When implementation process is completed the software needs to be validated against the requirements to make sure that the product is actually meeting the needs identified and gathered during the requirements phase. Alpha testing phase is known for the verification and validation of the software which is a process for checking that a software solution meets the original  requirements  and  specifications  and  that,  it  accomplishes  its  intended  purpose (Bassil, 2012).

Software testing also known as Alpha testing is the phase of evaluating software to detect differences between the specified requirements and the expected output. It can also be seen as a process of executing a program or application with the intent of finding the software bugs. Alpha testing is commonly applied as the predominant activity to ensure high software quality, providing a wide variety of methods and techniques to detect different types of errors in  software  systems  (Budnik  &  Roberto,  2012).  Alpha  testing  determines  whether  the software meets the specified requirements and finds any errors present in the code (Mohammed, Munassar & Govardhan, 2010). Alpha testing will be used in this study to ensure that, the developed IWBTS is built according to requirements gathered. According to Oladimeji (2007), alpha testing is an internal acceptance testing carried out by the test team which is usually done in preparation for the review phase otherwise known as Beta testing.

Review phase (beta testing) is the phase of testing carried out after alpha testing, and the system is released to a limited number of people to carry out further tests (Oladimeji,

2007).  Review  phase  (beta  testing)  is  the  continuous  use  of  the  system  to  find  out  its weakness and these weaknesses are sent back to the developers as bug reports which are fixed in the next build of the system (Oladimeji, 2007). Beta testing can be performed by real users, or by a team of specialized personnel, it can also be systematic and automated to ensure  that  the  actual  outcomes  are  compared  and  equal  to  the  predicted  and  desired

outcomes (Andrew, 2016). Beta testing includes computer expert validation, subject content validation and student personal validation. Beta testing will be used in this study to ensure quality assurance of the developed IWBTS, to ensure that the subject content of the IWBTS is appropriate to meet learners’ needs in learning MySQL.

Today, Nigeria, Universities operate in setting where the students are being taught MySQL database by the lecturer theoretically in the class, and by the instructors in the laboratory. Its required that every student registered into computer department, to have his or her personal system. The instructor burns the software into a compact disk and gives it to the students to install on their system before the practical session can be schedule, most times, the population of the students are larger than the capacity of the laboratory. Therefore, the of development of the Intelligent Web-Based Tutoring system will ensure that the learner’s needs are being met, making the Intelligent Web-Based Tutoring system suitable for learning, thereby solving the problems encountered during the teaching and learning of MySQL. In view of the foregoing, this study is focused on the development of an Intelligent Web-Based Tutoring system for the teaching and learning of MySQL in Nigerian Universities.

Statement of the Problem

Database is a course in computer science that teaches about the collection of interrelated tables and records. Database, being a computer science and computer education course, it ought to be taught, using the computer system and other ICT facilities. Unfortunately, most Nigerian universities today teach database using traditional method. The traditional method of teaching in universities involves more theoretical approaches, which are less effective in motivating considerations, for an effective career (Olokundun, Moses, Iyiola, Ibidunni, Ogbari, Peter, Borishade, 2018).   One of the consequences of using traditional method of teaching alone results in low grade of students. (Weltman and Whiteside, 2010). This situation could be attributed to the inabilities of teachers to adopt 21st  century digital

methodologies like IWBTS in teaching and learning the course and the inability of working class students to cope with the time schedule and work schedule.

The  IWBTS  have  been  found  to  be  efficient  in  teaching  other  subject  like mathematics, physics, and algebra. The IWBTS, amongst others, can teach students without the aid of the teacher; can also be used to evaluate the progress of learning of the student and give instant feedback of the students’ performance. IWBTS provides flexibility in learning (Salama, 2011). The various learning capacities of different learners and the inadequacy of qualified teachers makes IWBTS an efficient and effective tool for individualized instruction, as it allows learners to learn at their own pace with little or virtually no assistance from the teacher, also IWBTS will drop the barrier for distance learning thereby making learning round  the  clock  and  distance  learning  a  reality.  It  is  against  these  backdrops  that  the researcher seeks to develop an intelligent web-based tutoring system for learning MySQL in Nigeria universities.

Purpose of the Study

The major purpose of this study is to develop an Intelligent Web-Based Tutoring system for learning MySQL in Nigerian Universities. Specifically, the study will attempt to:

1.   determine  the  software  requirement  specification  for  the  Intelligent  Web-Based

Tutoring System (IWBTS) for learning MySQL.

2.   design the architecture for the Intelligent Web-Based Tutoring System (IWBTS)

based on the software requirement specification.

3. develop the Intelligent Web-Based Tutoring System (IWBTS) according to the architectural design.

4.   determine the extent to which the Intelligent Web-Based Tutoring System (IWBTS) developed; conform to the requirements that guided its design at the developer’s site (Alpha testing).

5.   carry out a user review on the developed Intelligent Web-Based Tutoring System (IWBTS) to ascertain  the conformity  to  the requirements  that  guided its  design outside the developer’s site (Beta testing).

Significance of the Study

The development of Intelligent Web-based Tutoring System for MySQL will not just benefit students that attend universities in Delta state alone, but, universities in Nigeria at large. Lecturers, instructors, curriculum planner, researchers, who have interest in database and government, will also be beneficiaries.

The  results  from  these  findings  have  the  capabilities  of  improving  database knowledge and skills of students. Databased is a sole part of either standalone application or web application. Therefore it will  enhance student’s interest in programming because it would not be difficult to create the database of any program. These will equip the students, on graduation, with knowledge and saleable skills for self or paid employment.

The finding of the study will benefit the lecturers and instructors because it will aid them in the organization of lesson in Database in sequential steps and provide feedbacks during learning process. The knowledge of this study will assist computer lecturers and instructors on the objectives, contents, related instructional methods, learning experience and evaluation activities for assessing students’ achievement in database. The Intelligent web- based tutoring system for learning MySQL will be used to practice and drill during teaching and learning in many ways. The finding of this study will enhance lecturers and instructors to update their knowledge.

This  study  is  geared  towards  the  development  of  intelligent  web-based  tutoring system and will be of great help to curriculum planners as it will help improve the standard of education.  It will also help those concerned benefit from the wealth of information provided in  this  design  as,  it  will  assist  in  future  curriculum  planning  and  updates  that  will

continuously meet societal needs. The findings of this study if integrated into the curriculum of computer studies will produce the required information to the policy makers and public authorities in charge of youth and employment creation in the country.

For researchers who have kin interest in the study of database it is expected that the findings of this study will help to further sharpen their focus on the study of database. This study will serves as reference for further studies thereby contributing to building of the body of literature on the theme.

Research Questions

The following research questions guided the study

1.   What  are  the  software  requirement  specifications  for  the  Intelligent  Web-Based

Tutoring System (IWBTS) for learning MySQL?

2.   What are the architectural designs appropriate for the development of the Intelligent

Web-Based Tutoring System (IWBTS)?

3.   In what ways do the development of IWBTS conforms to the architectural design that guided the development?

4.   In what ways do the developed IWBTS conform to the requirements that guided its

design at the developer’s site (Alpha testing)?

5.   In  what  ways  do  the  user  reviews  on  the  developed  IWBTS  conform  to  the requirements that guided its design outside the developer’s site (Beta testing)?

Hypothesis

The following hypothesis will be tested at 0.05 level of significance

HO1: There is no significant interaction effect between the mean rating of the students and the different types of Universities regarding the outcome of the Beta testing of the design.

Scope of the Study

This  study  is focused  on  the development  of an  Intelligent  Web-Based  Tutoring system for learning MySQL in Nigerian Universities. The development is delimited to the operational modalities: creating of a database and a table, inserting and deleting of items in a column and a table and also updating a table. This study is delimited to final year students and lecturers of the three (3) universities in Delta state. Delta State is an oil and agricultural producing state of Nigeria, situated in the region known as the South-South geo-political zone. It’s capital city is Asaba, located at the northern end of the state, with an estimated area of 762 square kilometers (294 sq mi). While Warri is the economic nerve center of the state and also, the most populated. It is located in the southern end of the state. The state has a total land area of 16,842 square kilometers (6,503 sq mi). The state lies approximately between Longitude 5°00 and 6°.45′ East and Latitude 5°00 and 6°.30′ North. It is bounded in the north and west by Edo State, the east by Anambra, Imo, and Rivers States, southeast by Bayelsa State, and on the southern flank is the Bight of Benin which covers about 160 kilometers of the state’s coastline.

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