Arabic learning tools. Kingdom of Education web based platform development. Project evaluation - Essay Example

?Project Evaluation Report Table of Contents At the present, use of the Internet has become very common among people. They make use of this innovative technology to communicate with friends and relatives, for shopping, entertainment and so on. In this scenario, the Internet distributes information and data using web sites. A website contains a lot of links and images to convey the message of a web site. In fact, at the present every organization (small, medium or large) has its own web site. For instance, a business organization develops and implements a web site to convey the information of their business and services and a university uses its web site to present information about the university, its departments and students. In addition, the Internet has brought countless opportunities for the education sector. It has also helped improve learning and study related activities. Thus, seeing the ever-increasing importance of the Internet for the education I have decided to implement a web site for helping the people to learn basic Arabic language. In this scenario, this report will present a detailed analysis of the knowledge sharing website “Kingdom of Education”. This report will present a deep insight into my website project. In this report I will talk about its objective, development, project management and assessment areas. Introduction The use of modern technologies and tools for information sharing, learning and education has turned out to be more and more common in the 21st century. In fact, these modern technologies and web applications offer a great deal of support for information sharing and communication. In addition, the Internet is a very helpful tool for online education and language support and other education related solutions (Turban et al., 2005). As I have discussed above, the use of technology has become essential in every walk of life. At the present, the Internet is being used extensively to provide an excellent educational environment by creating diversified products and technical methods. Normally, these products include web sites and web portals where people especially the students come to learn regarding subjects of their interest. At the present, there are numerous technologies available to develop these products. Keeping in mind the increasing importance of the Internet for education I have decided to develop a web site which allows beginners to learn basic Arabic language skills. The name of this web site is “Kingdom of Education” that is aimed at “providing an easy way to learn Arabic language and for everyone around the entire world”. Thus, keeping this objective in my mind I have started working on the development of a new technology based solution to offer a great deal of support for learning basic Arabic language skills. In view of the fact that the Internet has expanded so much, and presently there exist a wide variety of similar services and applications on the Web. In addition, a wide variety of technology based solutions are presently operational and offering superior services in all areas of life. In this scenario, the idea of web based learning portal is not a new one. However, I have tried to bring some innovation to this idea. In this regard I have developed an online system that offers very quick, simple and excellent approach to learn Arabic. This online learning system will be very effective and useful for people all through the world. This new technology based system will offer a capability to learn and speak the Arabic language quickly. This report presents a detailed analysis of my project. In this report, I will discuss some of the important aspects that are associated with my project. This report will analyze the basic idea and need behind the development of this web site, its objectives, development, research methodology and application aspects. This report will deeply assess the major contributions that this web based platform has made to the Arabic language learning. Research In order to better determine the requirements for the development of any system we need to conduct a detailed research. In addition, we need to assess a number of aspects and areas for better development and assessment of idea. The basic purpose of conducting this research is to determine the requirements of web based learning systems. In this scenario, I have assessed that Arabic language is one the most popular language all through the world. In fact, Standard Arabic is the official language of more than 26 nations and states around the world. In addition, Arabic language is the sixth most spoken language of the world (Krysstal, 2012; Al-Bab, 2009). After this research and analysis I have analyzed the Arabic learning tools and methods. Presently we have a wide variety of tools and methods around the world that are more complex, paper based and hard to reach. Hence, this manual nature and process of learning Arabic has become very difficult to manage in new technology based age where people have less time to learn and listen. In this situation there is a need for some innovative solutions. For this purpose I have researched the web and found a large number of websites which provide services and support for online Arabic learning. However, these websites have rigid material and traditional ways of learning. By seeing all these situations I have developed an idea which requires building up an online platform that offers an excellent support for learning and teaching Arabic online. For this purpose I have decided to build up an online web based portal that can be easily accessed and managed. These all aspects lead us to offer a great deal of support and capability to enhance the overall performance of the system development and application. For the implementation of this online Arabic learning system I have researched for the learning material. Here we need some innovation for new learning material. For this purpose, I have tried to develop more interactive and superior learning material. For this sake I have concentrated on the more interactive books and notes. Here basic aim was to pay attention on better course content development and offer a great deal of support for learners especially the student’s needs. For this purpose, I have offered information about Arabic Alphabet, Arabic Vocabulary, Arabic Pronunciation and Arabic Grammar. These all elements are essential for learning Arabic language. Through better assessment of these topics we can have a great deal of learning power and can learn in a much better way. I spent a lot of time in researching for a suitable tool to develop this web site. In fact, this is a technology related project which involved the implementation of a web site using a specific tool. However, the selection of this tool was time-consuming as we had to study the features of each language and match them with our requirements. For this system development, I have used PHP. PHP is the most commonly used server side scripting language, which is used for developing dynamic web sites (these web sites interact with the users by proving personalized information). Additionally, the PHP offers numerous advantages for instance it is quick, stable, secure, easy to use and open source (there is no license fee). In addition, PHP makes use of a wide variety of security parameters to secure from nasty attacks. Moreover, PHP makes use of a modular system of extensions to interface with various libraries for instance XML, graphics, encryption, and so on. As well, PHP offers a wide variety of server interfaces, database interfaces and other services. Furthermore, PHP offers an excellent support for the database interfaces such as, MS SQL, MySQL, Informix, Oracle and so many others (DesignersPlayground, 2011; Eukhost, 2012). I faced some difficulty while researching for the available technology support for such kind of systems. In addition, I have researched for identifying the ways to present learning materials. For this sake I have used a wide variety of interactive and supportive ways to learn and assess the knowledge. Here I have used Flash Book, PDF books and other interactive material that can build up the user interest and learning power. These all aspects collectively lead to better learning that is supported by more interactive learning material. I have also researched for determining the user interface needs for such kind of system. In this scenario, I have researched for the user interface technology and web development. I have studied the human computer interaction guidelines to develop more interactive and supportive system. These all guidelines helped me to develop a system that is easy to learn for the user. Here I have assessed about the color theory and learned the ways how we can better present our material to better build up user interest. These guidelines have offered an excellent support for the system development and application. Our designed system uses light tone and big font to better provide easy to learn user interaction and operational support and capability. I have used the web and academic journals regarding research for development of “Kingdom of Education”. In this scenario I have tried to develop and offer a great deal of support all kinds of users and clients who visit the website. In this scenario I have tried to build a more interactive working and operational platform. The research through web and books has offered a great deal of in-depth knowledge and interactive information assessment for better guidelines. The research method used also has some shortcomings in our research. These tools are very much time consuming and have a great deal of replication of information. System Services The website “Kingdom of Education” offers a wide variety of facilities and services for better learning and communication through the online platform. I have outlined below some of the useful services: LEARN BASIC ARABIC: We help you to learn basic Arabic language by using some attractive methods which are made through the Flash. So people should seize this opportunity and get started using this wonderful tool. JOIN US: To find out some easy ways of learning with very good learning atmosphere Easy Learning: We are Arabic language learning center that allows the people to learn basic Arabic without too much effort. Simple: Arabic language is for everyone and this system will help all the people to overcome the difficulties DO NOT PANIC: Basics of Arabic language are available on this web site In addition to the above this web site also offers the following services: On kingdom of education users can manage their account and buy Arabic books and CDs. Users can use the language that they like while browsing this web site. Users can follow this web site via twitter and Facebook Users can also connect Arab speakers via chat room. If users want to visit any Arabic country they can find out more about them in the photo gallery. In addition, users can access this gallery via mobile. Methodology Research Methodology For the development of online Arabic learning portal I have used the qualitative research methodology. In this scenario, I have studied a number of journal articles and websites for the assessment of most suitable solutions that can be used in the web based system development. This research has helped us to understand the basic needs of such kind of projects. Through this qualitative research methodology I have visited and collected information from a variety of web sites and downloaded the necessary research material. These all aspects offered an enhanced support for the effective management of this system development. System Development Methodology A software development methodology is a road map which helps the software development team throughout the software development process. In this way software development team is able to know where they should move and what actions they should perform. For this learning system development I have used the waterfall software development methodology. The waterfall model is a well-known version of the system development life cycle models in software engineering. In this scenario, frequently measuring the classic technique to the systems development life cycle, the waterfall model illustrates an overall system development cycle that is sequential or linear. Waterfall development has separate objectives for each stage of system development (TechTarget, 2006; Pressman, 2001). In addition, the linear sequential model suggests the development of the system through a systemic sequential approach. Through this approach we start from an analysis of the system, and then we design, code and test the system for potential operations. So the main stages of the system development are: (TechTarget, 2006; Pressman, 2001). Requirements Design Coding Testing Implementation Human resource needed: This project requires less human resource for the overall development of the project. Here through this model we can develop the overall system with a small development team. Development resources needed: This software development methodology involves less people in the overall development of the project, so we also need fewer resources for the overall project development. Development domain: This development methodology is used for the project of small or medium size and with long or sufficient time constraints. Figure 1Waterfall model stages, Image Source http://www.buzzle.com/showImage.asp?image=1449 I felt convenient with the above stated software development methodology, while developing system with single human resource. In addition, I had a plenty of time to complete the project and assess the overall performance. Thus, I have developed the system by following stage by stage approach (as mentioned in the software development life cycle). In addition, the waterfall software development methodology has offered a number of advantages and supportive factors during the system development. For instance, it helped me complete the project without extensive resources application. These aspects also offered a better support for the system development with least human resources applications. These all aspects taken towards better performance and support for new technology based application development and enhanced performance and credibility. Alternative Approaches During this system development process I have also considered some alternative software development methodologies like that object oriented development methodology. Here I have used a number of modules and approaches of this system development methodology to better support the overall development process. Basically, the object oriented development methodology provides us a component based system development methodology. In addition, the object oriented development methodology emphasizes on the creation of classes that encapsulates both data and algorithm used to manipulate the data. The main architecture of the object oriented software development methodology is based on the development of a class that can be resalable to different applications and computer based system architecture. Additionally, the object oriented development methodology incorporates a lot of working functionalities of the spiral software development methodology. It is also an evolutionary system development methodology. Human resource required: The object oriented development methodology is much similar to the spiral model for the development of the overall system. In this software development methodology we do not need huge working staff as compared to system size, because we break the system into small workable functions. Due to less human resource working for system development through object oriented development methodology, we need less resource for the development of the system. Development domain; Object oriented development methodology is mostly used for large size application development that comprises major aspect of usability. It's also suitable for complex projects because it develops a system though components based approach (Pressman, 2001; Sommerville, 2004). The selection of above mentioned methodology could be feasible because it also requires minimum resources for the system development. However, it is too complex to manage and handle this system development model as it involves a lot of complexities. Changes Made For our online learning system “Kingdom of Education” development I have also made various changes especially in overall system development lifecycle approach. In this scenario I have tested system with the help of my fellows and established checks at each system development stage. After ensuring compliance with those checks I have preceded the overall development process for better development and greater performance. These all aspects helped in improving the system development process. Effective Changes The changes made during this system development offered a capability to better manage the system development project. However, these changes have not caused serious issues and problems regarding new technology based system. For this project I developed and implemented a robust approach to better address these changes. Project Management & Employability To effectively manage this system development process there was a dire need for the effective project management approach. Throughout this project, I have applied effective project management skills and expertise. In this scenario, I worked on time management and I developed the work breakdown structure (WBS) of the overall project which offered a great deal of support for all the project tasks and activities. Basically, a work breakdown structure is a graphical representation of project activities. In this diagram, the critical work activities, acknowledged as tasks, of a project are shown to represent their associations to each other and to the project as a whole. In addition, this graphical representation of project activities and tasks helps project managers determine results based on a variety of scenarios, which can make sure that most favorable decisions are made about whether or not to take on particular actions or changes. In simple words, a work breakdown structure is a graphical representation of project activities to be completed in a project ordered in a hierarchical form. Moreover, the WBS is a significant tool which helps us keep a general idea of the project (TechTarget, 2007; SAP, 2012). Thus, the work breakdown structure helped me arrange the activities in a very effective way and offered an excellent way to better manage the project. These all aspects offered a broad spectrum of project handling and operational management. Additionally, the WBS of “Kingdom of Education” web based platform has helped me to transform the entire project into a complete snapshot that offered a much better support for the assessment of each individual project task and activity. In case of “Kingdom of Education” project handling and management I have also adopted project time management techniques. In this scenario, I have developed a Gantt chart that structured activities in a much better way. This chart outlines the important dates of project start and end. Here I have also specified the project task precedence. This precedence has also offered a capability to better manage the project activities such as project initiation and stoppage and progress. In addition the “Kingdom of Education” project has also offered a great deal of support for skill development regarding project risk management. In view of the fact that the project risk management becomes a more complex task when we are working in an online working atmosphere. In this scenario I have assessed all the types of risks like technology risk, project management risks, security risks, etc. After assessment of all these risks there was a great deal of need to neutralize them. In this scenario superior risk management methodology was required for running the project effectively. Moreover, project cost management for “Kingdom of Education” project was also one of the vital tasks which came under project management. In this scenario, I assessed project working and operations and estimated the project cost. Here estimates of cost were based on the per hour working time on the project. This cost estimation has helped us to better manage the project operations and working aspects. This cost estimation established more accurate assessment parameters that supported the project cost estimation and handling. Employability Skills This section outlines the necessary skills and qualities that I have applied to this project: No. Project Stage Employability Skills 1 Project Analysis Online Research Research Methods Analysis Skills 2 Requirement Interview Skills Survey Skills Data Assessment Skills 3 Design UML Design Skills Hardwar Design Skills 4 Development Software Tools Skills CSS PHP Java Script Jquery XML Facebook + Twitter (API Developer) Google API Action Script 3 Open source (Action Script 3 + AJAX) 5 Implementation Software Tools Skills CSS PHP Java Script Jquery XML Facebook + Twitter (API Developer) Google API Action Script 3 Open source (Action Script 3 + AJAX) 6 Project management Operational Handling Project Tasks Management Project Workload management 7 Cost Planning Project Cost Planning Cost Estimations Resource Analysis techniques 8 Time Planning Project Time Plan Gannet Chart Development Project Work Breakdown structure development 9 Risk Management Cost Risk Management Techniques Time Risk Management Techniques Technical Risk Management Techniques Political Risks Management Techniques 10 Contingency Planning Cost Allocation methods Cost Risk Management 11 Feedback Email Marketing Client Communication methods 12 Website Management ISP services management Online website administration Results In the development of “Kingdom of Education” all the parameters of quality have fully deployed in order to ensure high quality project management. In this scenario a variety of quality management checks and mechanisms have been used throughout the project development. For the sake of system performance the Kingdom of Education website offered an accurate system working and operational quality. In addition, the system complies with all established quality checks and offers high level performance and operational management. In this system we did not see any errors while navigating and page information outline. The system presents a great deal of performance for information distribution and appraisal for comprehensives communication and operational management. In addition, Kingdom of Education also offers an excellent support for its targeted users. This system is developed for all kinds of people from all over the world. This website holds a lot of Arabic teaching material for all types of users (such as students, and people from other countries who want to learn Arabic language). Using this web site, people of any age group are able to learn and gain skills and knowledge of Arabic Language. These wonderful features of the website offer a considerable worth to this system. The Kingdom of Education website offers both written and interactive materials with a pictorial representation of data and information that can best demonstrate the idea of what we want to learn. The Kingdom of Education website also contains functionality for personal account management where we can buy and have products of our desire. After signing in we can use a lot of other services such as chat, video galleries and we can manage our orders as well. Using this web site we can place orders for our desired products like CDs and books. These all items are presently available through just one click. These all capabilities make the Kingdom of Education a complete online learning and education website that is able to support and facilitate people from all over the world. Issues Raised During Development We faced some issues during this system development process. At the start we faced a problem regarding the selection of system structure. In fact, there are numerous web sites that offer similar services thus we tried to make this system different from the others. We faced another issue that was related to selection of technology. At this point we had to select the tool that is most appropriate for the development of this kind of system. We studied different tools and selected PHP for the development of this system. There was another issue that is related to selection of material. In this scenario, we tried to select basic material that is appropriate for all kinds of users who want to learn Arabic language from the start. Conclusion At the present, use of the Internet has become very common among people. They make use of this innovative technology to communicate with friends and relatives, for shopping, entertainment and so on. In this scenario, the Internet communicates all this information and data using web sites. A website contains a lot of links and images to convey the message of a web site. In fact, at the present every organization (small, medium or large) has its own web site. For instance, a business organization develops and implements a web site to convey the information of their business and services and a university uses its web site to present information about the university, its departments and students. In addition, the Internet has brought countless opportunities for the education sector. It has also helped improve learning and study related activities. Thus, seeing the ever-increasing importance of the Internet for the education I have decided to implement a web site for helping the people to learn basic Arabic language. Arabic language is considered as the sixth most spoken language of the world. In this report I have presented some of the important aspects regarding the website of Kingdom of Education. This report has outlined some of the important features, characteristics and operations of Kingdom of Education web based platform. This report has also discussed the development methodology, project management and information sharing based aspects. This website works as a wonderful tool for learning the basic Arabic language. My aim in the future is to develop my web site according to this project evaluation and make it more perfect and professional. In future I want to add more lessons and more services to make this web site one of the best places to learn Arabic. So my future plan is to make this web site like what I want and do good marketing for it. In addition I learned in this project different things in the technical aspect, project management aspect and ways of teaching foreign language. References Al-Bab, 2009. The Arabic language. [Online] Available at: http://www.al-bab.com/arab/language/lang.htm [Accessed 12 April 2012]. DesignersPlayground, 2011. The Advantages of PHP. [Online] Available at: http://www.designersplayground.com/pr/the-advantages-of-php/ [Accessed 14 April 2012]. Eukhost, 2012. Advantages of PHP Programming. [Online] Available at: http://blog.eukhost.com/webhosting/advantages-of-php-programming/ [Accessed 11 April 2012]. Krysstal, 2012. The 30 Most Spoken Languages of the World. [Online] Available at: http://www.krysstal.com/spoken.html [Accessed 12 April 2012]. Pressman, R. S. (2001). Software Engineering 5th Edition. New Yoer: McGraw Hill Publishers. SAP, 2012. What is a Work Breakdown Structure? [Online] Available at: http://help.sap.com/saphelp_45b/helpdata/en/4c/225bd746e611d189470000e829fbbd/content.htm [Accessed 11 April 2012]. Sommerville, I. (2004). Software Engineering, 7th Edition,. . New York : Pearson Education (Addison Wesley). TechTarget, 2006. waterfall model. [Online] Available at: http://searchsoftwarequality.techtarget.com/definition/waterfall-model [Accessed 10 April 2012]. TechTarget, 2007. work breakdown structure (WBS). [Online] Available at: http://searchsoftwarequality.techtarget.com/definition/work-breakdown-structure [Accessed 10 April 2012]. Turban, E., Leidner, D., McLean, E. & Wetherbe, J., 2005. Information Technology for Management: Transforming Organizations in the Digital Economy. New York: Wiley. Wikipedia, 2012. Arabic language. [Online] Available at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arabic_language [Accessed 14 April 2012]. Read More