Summary
This study is intended to design and develop a Class Scheduling System of NPCMST. It sought to find answers to the following specific problems: What is the existing procedure in the current Class Scheduling System of NPCMST? What are the problems encountered in the existing Class Scheduling System of NPCMST? What are the factors that affect the performance of the NPCMST Class Scheduling system in terms of: Speed, Accuracy, Security and Data Handling.
Findings
NPCMST uses the manual way of making class schedule. First, the registrar gets the previous schedule for revision. They revised it believing that, this is the fastest way of making a schedule. Adding schedules of another section is what they are doing. One error can lead to lot of problems if not seen by the registrar.
Class schedule usually took two to three weeks to make the temporary schedule. The class schedule done is still temporary since alterations is done during
and after enrollment. This is due to inefficient scheduling. Rooms and instructors are changed due to conflicts and unavailability of instructors. Sometimes it is due to conflict in schedule itself that is not seen before the enrollment. Human error contributes a lot in this error. Rooms are not also used efficiently due to wrong scheduling. Rooms are not fully occupied during the day leaving spaces that no one uses it.
The following are the factors that affect the performance of the system that can lead to system error if not considered significantly. In terms of speed, the system is programed in a web based form to increases the speed of transactions. Network configurations are managed by the operating system and not by the system. User training must also be conducted to familiarize user about how to use properly the system. In terms of accuracy, the system uses time format to ensure the correctness of output. In terms of security, the first page that will appear in the system is the login page. Username and password must be provided to access the content of the system. Two power users are presented to the system in order to restrict and divide functionalities. The administrator controls user accounts. In case the registrar forgets his/her username and password, the administrator can retrieve and show it. A hidden and fixed emergency username and password can show the username and
password of the administrator in case the he/ she forget it. PHP programming was also used in the system thus hiding codes if anyone wants to view the source code. In terms of data handling, records have been accessed using Standard Query Language (SQL). This is the fastest and most efficient way of data handling. With the use of PHP programming, data are also executed the fastest way.
Conclusions
The manual system is surely a traditional way of making schedules. However, the automated class scheduling system is more efficient because of the distinctive performance in the aspect of speed, project design, accuracy and stability of the system in the preparation of class schedules, room schedules and instructors’ load. With these features, the automated system can really solve the primary problems being encountered during the class schedule preparation.
Recommendations
With the foregoing conclusions, the researchers recommend the following:
1. Using Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) has to be implemented to improve the existing class scheduling system of NPCMST.
2. Security policies and other control measures must be adopted to ensure the security of confidential records.
3. An in depth training has to be given to the Registrar and all concerned employees directly involved in the usage of the CSS so that they will be oriented with the proper use of the proposed system.
4. Migration for the existing records to the proposed system has to be performed.
5. Implementation and maintenance of the proposed CSS should be in coordination with the IT department.
6. Assessment of the proposed system has to be conducted regularly.
7. Hardware and software specifications based on the system recommendation must be adopted for better performance.
Appendix D
Questions Answers
1. What are the problems that you encountered in the manual Class
Scheduling System of NPCMST?
a. Conflict of schedule of student, instructor and rooms.
b. Lack of rooms. c. Lack of teachers. d. Changes in schedules. 1.1What are the actions or
solutions did you do to solve these problems?
Immediate change in schedule. Transfer of rooms, additional teachers. Re-scheduling students. 3. What are the materials
do you use in the present scheduling system?
Pen and Paper, computer for encoding of schedules, printer.
4. How many persons are involved or in charge of the system?
Four to five personnel in the registrar.
5. How many days are needed for you to finish the scheduling of students and instructors?
2 to 3 weeks to create a
temporary schedule and changes were done during the enrolment process.
6. What are the
processes involved in the running of the system you are using?
See next page for the enrolment procedure.