A mobile application prototype for information access in University environment

Date
2013-06
Authors
Swigo, Leonard Emmanuel
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Strathmore University
Abstract
Universities just like other institutions are now making the use of Information Technology (IT) to disseminate information and mostly using the website. The use of websites in disseminating the university's information limits the mobility nature of campus environment and therefore the need to make such information available to the always-moving students on campus and outside campus. The use of Mobile Applications in business has increased tremendously over the couple of years which has been influenced by the fast growing development of powerful and affordable mobile devices. The integration ofthe Mobile Apps and powerful mobile gadgets provides an opportunity to distribute Information in a quick, secure and convenient manner anywhere, anytime. This research adapting a Quasi-experimental methodology with a case study and Qualitative approach to facilitate data collection, analyzed the relevance of mobile applications in disseminating information and the limitations towards the implementation of Mobile Applications at St. John's University of Tanzania. The Population for this study comprised a total of approximately 2000 people. The Information system users were divided into two groups; students and university staff, the university staff were later stratified further into two groups, System Analysts/administrators and normal system users (students). The Primary data were gathered through interviews with both closed and open-ended questions, and participatory observation. The researcher finally developed a Prototype (in Windows Phone platform) and tested its usability, functional and compatibility (Modules and Integrated App test) as a tool to be adopted to disseminate information in university environment. The Prototype was deployed on windows phones and gave students access to the University Information such as Student's grades, Notices and timetable detail providing a controlled access through logins. Students and university staff explained to be satisfied with the application suggesting to be the most preferable means of communication in universities only that its implementations seems to be constrained by the limited skills of university's staff on mobile Applications development and the access control in such environment.
Description
Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree ofMaster of Science in Computer-Based Information System (MSc.IS) at Strathmore University.
Keywords
Mobile application, Prototype, Information, University
Citation