1.1 Introduction
An electronic prospectus is a digital version of a traditional academic prospectus that provides detailed information about a program or institution through an online platform. It typically includes multimedia elements such as videos, interactive modules, and real-time updates to engage prospective students (Hemsley-Brown & Oplatka, 2010). The introduction of an electronic prospectus for computer science development serves as a pivotal tool in the modern educational landscape, addressing the growing need for accessible and comprehensive information about academic programs. With the rapid advancement of technology and the increasing reliance on digital resources, educational institutions have recognized the necessity of transforming traditional prospectuses into interactive and user-friendly electronic formats (Sahu & Das, 2018).
An electronic prospectus not only provides essential information about courses, faculty, and admission requirements but also enhances the overall student experience by facilitating easier navigation and accessibility (Kumar & Kumar, 2020). As prospective students engage with digital content, the need for a well-structured, informative, and visually appealing electronic prospectus becomes crucial. This development aligns with the goals of many educational institutions to improve communication, attract prospective students, and enhance institutional visibility (Dabbagh & Kitsantas, 2012).
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, Limitation of the study and Definition of technical terms.
1.2 Background of Study
Traditionally, educational institutions relied on printed prospectuses to provide detailed information about their programs, admission requirements, and campus facilities. However, as the internet and digital media became more prevalent in the 1990s and early 2000s, institutions began exploring electronic alternatives to complement or replace these printed materials (Bates, 2015). The shift to electronic prospectuses was driven by the increasing use of websites and online resources by prospective students during their decision-making process. Institutions recognized the potential of using digital platforms to offer interactive and multimedia-rich content, which could engage students more effectively than static print formats (Hemsley-Brown & Oplatka, 2010). This change was particularly important for fields like computer science, where technological advancements were rapidly shaping the educational environment. Universities and colleges sought to use electronic prospectuses to showcase their cutting-edge facilities, research opportunities, and innovative teaching methods in a format that resonated with tech-savvy students (Kim & Kwon, 2016).
As web-based technologies evolved, electronic prospectuses became more sophisticated, incorporating multimedia elements such as videos, virtual tours, and interactive course catalogs. These tools allowed prospective students to explore programs in greater depth and receive up-to-date information instantly (Reisberg, 2011). in the context of computer science education, the use of electronic prospectuses also reflected the industry's emphasis on digital skills, positioning institutions as forward-thinking and technologically adept (Osman et al., 2020).
Today, electronic prospectuses are widely adopted by educational institutions around the world, offering prospective students an engaging, accessible, and environmentally friendly way to explore academic programs. This transformation underscores the broader shift towards digitalization in higher education and highlights the importance of innovative communication tools in attracting and retaining students in competitive fields like computer science (Robinson & Stubberud, 2012). The rapid evolution of technology has significantly transformed the educational landscape, necessitating a shift from traditional methods of information dissemination to more dynamic and interactive formats. The concept of an electronic prospectus emerges as a response to these changes, providing prospective students with easy access to comprehensive information about academic programs, especially in the field of computer science (Pritchard et al., 2017).
In higher education, electronic prospectuses serve as essential marketing tools that enable institutions to showcase their programs, faculty, and facilities while fostering engagement with prospective students (Wang & Wang, 2019). They allow for the integration of multimedia elements, such as videos and interactive graphics, which can significantly enrich the learning experience and better convey the value of the programs offered (Osman et al., 2020). This approach aligns with the increasing demand for transparency and detailed information in the decision-making process of potential students.
Furthermore, the implementation of an electronic prospectus offers several advantages over traditional print prospectuses, including real-time updates and the ability to track user engagement (Garrison & Vaughan, 2013). Educational institutions can efficiently communicate changes in course offerings, admission criteria, and other relevant updates, ensuring that prospective students receive the most current information. This flexibility is particularly important in the rapidly changing field of computer science, where curricula frequently evolve to keep pace with technological advancements.
The challenges encountered that led to the execution of the research work is that, the traditional printed prospectuses are often limited in their ability to provide up-to-date and comprehensive information, as changes in course offerings, faculty, or admission requirements require reprinting, which is both costly and time-consuming (Osman et al., 2020). It is against the background that the developments of this software will contribute to environmental sustainability by reducing the need for printed materials, aligning with institutional goals of promoting eco-friendly practices and reducing carbon footprints.
1.3 Statement of Problem
Investigation revealed that in the existing system, printed materials are less accessible to a global audience, particularly in an increasingly digital world where prospective students expect quick, online access to information (Hemsley-Brown & Oplatka, 2010). Furthermore, reliance on printed prospectuses is environmentally unsustainable. The continued use of paper-based materials contributes to waste and resource depletion, a concern that educational institutions increasingly seek to address through more sustainable practices (Bates, 2015). Implementing an electronic prospectus provides an opportunity to reduce the environmental impact of recruitment efforts while still meeting the informational needs of prospective students. Thus, there is a clear need to design and implement an electronic prospectus that not only addresses these limitations but also aligns with the expectations of digitally inclined students and the broader goals of sustainability and innovation in education.
1.4 Aim and Objectives of the Study
The aim of the study is to design and implement an electronic prospectus for computer science development. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows to develop an application software that will:
- To develop an electronic prospectus that offers detailed information about the computer science program, including course offerings, faculty profiles, and admission requirements.
- To incorporate multimedia features such as videos, interactive course catalogs, and virtual campus tours to engage prospective students more effectively.
- To create a system that allows for real-time updates to information, ensuring prospective students have access to the most current details.
- To enhance the global reach of the computer science program by providing an accessible, web-based platform that prospective students from around the world can easily navigate.
- To contribute to sustainable practices by reducing the reliance on printed materials and lowering the environmental impact associated with traditional prospectus distribution.
1.5 Significance of Study
The outcome of the implementation of the proposed system will be beneficial to the following stakeholders outlined below:
- The study will benefit educational institutions by providing them with a cost-effective and efficient tool to update and distribute information, allowing them to maintain an up-to-date prospectus that reflects the latest offerings in the computer science program.
- Prospective students will benefit from the interactive and multimedia-rich features of the electronic prospectus, which will provide a more engaging experience and allow them to explore program details in a more comprehensive manner.
- Faculty members will have the opportunity to showcase their expertise and research more dynamically, helping to attract students interested in specific areas of study or cutting-edge research within the computer science field.
- Administrators will find the electronic prospectus to be an invaluable tool for global recruitment, as it will provide easy access to prospective students worldwide, regardless of geographical location, thereby increasing the program's reach and visibility.
- The study will contribute to environmental sustainability by reducing the need for printed materials, aligning with institutional goals of promoting eco-friendly practices and reducing carbon footprints.
1.6 Scope of Study
The scope of the research is focused on the design and implementation of an electronic prospectus for computer science development.
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.
- Establishment Policies: Establishment policies posed a serious limitation as most staffs are not ready to release information needed for this research work. There were lots of information needed from the staffs of this institution to enhance the study which took them time to release or they did not release at all for security purposes, hence the scope was reduced.
- 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
Electronic Prospectus: An electronic prospectus is a digital version of a traditional academic prospectus that provides detailed information about a program or institution through an online platform. It typically includes multimedia elements such as videos, interactive modules, and real-time updates to engage prospective students (Hemsley-Brown & Oplatka, 2010).
Computer Science Development: Computer science development refers to the advancement and growth of knowledge, skills, and innovations in the field of computer science. It encompasses both the academic study of computer systems, algorithms, and software, as well as the application of these principles in real-world contexts (Kim & Kwon, 2016).
Multimedia Integration: Multimedia integration is the use of multiple forms of content, such as text, images, audio, video, and interactive elements, in a digital format to enhance user experience and engagement (Bates, 2015). in the context of an electronic prospectus, this integration helps deliver a more engaging and informative platform.
Interactivity: Interactivity refers to the ability of users to engage with content in real-time, responding to prompts or navigating through information based on their interests. Interactive elements in an electronic prospectus may include clickable course modules, virtual campus tours, and real-time updates (Osman et al., 2020).
