1.1 Introduction
An online class is a course conducted over the Internet. They are generally conducted through a learning management system, in which students can view their course syllabus and academic progress, as well as communicate with fellow students and their course instructor (Tophat, 2021). Online refers to electronic classes, it is the acquisition of knowledge and skill using electronic technologies such as computer and internet based courseware and local and wide area networks. Distance learning is one of the most dramatic technology-based changes occurring in education today. Communication technology enables learners to receive instruction despite geographic and time disparities that would make traditional classroom instruction impossible.
As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are Significance of the study, Scope of work, Limitations of the Study and Definition of technical terms.
1.2 Background of Study
Early E-Classes systems, based on Computer Based Learning/Training often attempted to replicate autocratic teaching styles whereby the role of the e-learning system was assumed to be for transferring knowledge, as opposed to systems developed later based on Computer Supported Collaborative Learning (CSCL), which encouraged the shared development of knowledge.
As early as 1993, Graziadei William described an online computer-delivered lecture, tutorial and assessment project using electronic mail, two VAX Notes conferences and Gopher/Lynx together with several software programs that allowed students and instructor to create a Virtual Instructional Classroom Environment in Science (VICES) in Research, Education, Service & Teaching (REST). In 1997 Graziadei, W. et al, published an article entitled Building Asynchronous and Synchronous Teaching-Learning Environments: Exploring a Course/Classroom Management System Solution. They described a process at the State University of New York (SUNY) of evaluating products and developing an overall strategy for technology-based course development and management in teaching-learning. The product(s) had to be easy to use and maintain, portable, replicable, scalable, and immediately affordable, and they had to have a high probability of success with long-term cost-effectiveness. Today many technologies can be, and are, used in e-learning, from blogs to collaborative software, e-Portfolios, and virtual classrooms. Most e-learning situations use combinations of these techniques.
Distance instruction is learner-centered that is, it enables learners to tailor the instruction that they are receiving to meet their individual needs. Some distance programs use print media, some use telecommunications, and many use both, but geographic and time separation of the student and the teacher is a fundamental characteristic of distance education. Multimedia instruction with networked computers, video systems, or television may be used to connect the local classroom to learners at a distance. Satellite, compressed video, and fiber-optic systems are increasingly used for same-time, different-place education. This approach is also called synchronous distance learning. Students can also learn at different times and in different places. This approach is called asynchronous distance learning.
The challenges encountered that led to the execution of the research work is that, Looking around students especially tertiary education suffers a lot of setbacks in external exams due to the primitive nature of teaching system which they receive. They don’t have access to global information hence lacks a huge knowledge of what is obtainable in the society, the library is not equipped with good books and at the same time they don’t have access to internet. The rate of examination malpractice has increased and attention must be given fast to it before it ruins the education system of the country. Also, distance is a barrier to some people who seek to be educated.
It is against the background that the developments of this software to enable students learn from their respective teachers, so the software users will support online classes with mobile or desktop internet accessible devices. At the end of this project, the research work, the software will breach distance barrier and student will be able to join the school classes from any location with the aid of an internet and webcam / camera supporting device.
1.3 Statement Of The Problem
The rate of examination malpractice has increased and attention must be given fast to it before it ruins the education system of the country. Also, distance is a barrier to some people who seek to be educated.
Looking around students especially tertiary education suffers a lot of setbacks in external exams due to the primitive nature of teaching system which they receive. They don’t have access to global information hence lacks a huge knowledge of what is obtainable in the society, the library is not equipped with good books and at the same time they don’t have access to internet.
1.4 Aim and Objectives of the Study
The aim of the study is to design and implement a software that will facilitate Online Classes in Tertiary Institution. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:
- To design an application that will provide alternative way of attaining education
- To implement a system which reduces examination malpractices
- To design an application that will facilitate the development of information technology
- To enhance examination and certification of students thereby improving the standard of education.
- To reveal the use and technology of wireless network to the user.
1.5 Significance of Study
Online classes can provide benefits for the organizations and individuals involved. Improved performance: it is interactive to the students thereby improving their productivity.
- Improves Standard of Education: it eliminates examination inadequacies like examination malpractices.
- Increased Access: It enables people from any part of the world to be educated.
- Convenience and Flexibility to Learners: learning process is structured in units; this makes the learner study at his own convenience without getting too bored with lectures.
- Reduced cost: it reduces the cost of learning, examination and result processing institutions.
This study will be of immense benefit to researchers who intend to know more on this study and can also be used by non-researchers to build more on their research work. This study contributes to knowledge and could serve as a guide for other study.
1.6 Scope of Study
The study focuses on the Design and Implementation of Application for Online Classes using any Selected Tertiary Institution as a Case Study.
1.7 Limitations of the Study
During the course of this study, many things militated against its completion, some of which are:
- Time Constraint: The time frame given to accomplish this project was very short due to school academic calendar and it was carried out under pressure which made the researcher not to implement some necessary features.
- Research material: availability of research material is a major setback to the scope of the study.
- Frequent power failure: This made the researcher append more money on fuel to ensure sustainable power.
- Financial Constraint: Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet).
1.8 Definition of Terms
- Online Classes: These are classes conducted via electronic media, especially via the Internet.
- World Wide Web: World Wide Web simply called www is the most important tool of the Internet.
- Web Site: A website is a collection of many interconnected web pages organized by a specific college, organization company etc, containing web pages (good and commodities) on the Internet.
- Hyperlinks: Hyperlinks are highlighted words and phrase you find on web documents that you can click on as to jump to some other documents or Internet services.
