1. Personnel Effort Budget
Globey’s World
Ongo-08b:
K-12 Teaching Application Support
Project Team Information – Ongo-08b
Technical Approach
Team Members
Faculty Advisors
Client
Rebecca Black, Cpr E
Sam Miller, Cpr E
Dr. John Lamont
Ames Community School District
Martin Moen, Cpr E
Kim, Nichlas Soon-Seng, Cpr E
Professor Ralph Patterson
Software design for Globey’s World will be done using PHP/MySQL as the base language. There will be a number of stages during development, including database design and population, HTML design, graphic design, and application code design.
Team Experts will be assigned for each component of each project, and will be responsible for completion of that project component. Team leaders may decide to assign other duties to team members beyond their area of expertise, but primarily, each team member will complete most of his/her work in one or two areas of specialization.
Abstract
Testing Approach
Ames Community Schools (ACS) has been concerned with the performance of their students in problem solving on a nationally standardized exam. While ACS traditionally scores in the 90th percentile on traditional math skills, results from the problem-solving section were only in the 40th percentile, with the national average being in the 13th percentile. The purpose of Globey’s World is to provide software that supplements classroom learning in the area of geography while stressing the improvement of problem-solving skills. To this end, this project will complement a suite of web applications produced by the other two sub-teams the Ongo-08 senior design team. The final product will allow students further enhance their geographic skills by studying the content provided by Globey’s World. By utilizing the software to extend classroom learning, the students of ACS will be better prepared for standardized tests, ultimately resulting in higher test scores.
Initial product testing will be performed within the Globey’s World team. Upon a successful internal testing of the final product, Globey’s World will then be tested by one of the other three sub-teams present in Ongo-08. This will insure a complete audit of product quality. Testing processes will include development unit testing, positive functional testing, boundary (negative) testing, and usability testing. Finally, an early version of the product will be delivered to the client for testing purposes. The team will work closely with the client to solve any problems.
Financial and Personnel Effort Budgets
Acknowledgement
Personnel Effort Budget
Financial Budget
The Globey’s World team would like to extend thanks to Dr. John Lamont and Professor Ralph Patterson, the faculty advisors, for the guidance they have provided and will continue to offer throughout this project. Also, thanks to the CprE 492 team members for their invaluable help and advice. Lastly, thank you to the teachers of the Ames Community School District, who will be providing guidance toward the final product.
Introduction
General Background
One of three separate applications for Ongo-08
Mathematical Teaching Software System (MTSS)
Globey’s World (World geography)
Uncle Sammy’s Country (US geography)
Problem Statement
ACS wants to increase their students performance in problem solving on a nationally standardized exam.
Globey’s World is an easy to use Internet based application that helps students learn about world geography while building problem solving skills.
Operating Environment
Web applications run on Linux based Apache web server
MySQL used as database backend
Web application code written in PHP
Intended Users
Students in grades 3-6
School Teachers and Administrators
Intended Uses
Improve standardized test scores and problem solving skills
Teaching aid to supplement classroom instruction
Monitor each student’s progress
Assumptions
Client uses Internet Explorer or Netscape 5.0 or greater
All clients’ computers connected to the Internet
Limitations
Team members must learn PHP, MySQL
Clients’ computers are limited in terms of speed and bandwidth
Expected End Product
Fully functional website including country comparisons, help page, and quizzing functionality.
Utilization of the Ongo-08d framework and compatibility with Ongo-08a and Ongo-08c web applications.
$65.00 Total Cost
334 Total Hours
Project Schedule
End-Product Description
At project completion, the end product will be a web application that will be a supplement that teachers can use when teaching about world geography. The application will have an extensive help system and full quizzing functionality. Globey’s World will also integrate with the Mathematical Teaching System Software and Uncle Sam’s America by utilizing the framework currently being built by another sub-team. Students will be able to log in and use any of the three applications. They will be able to first learn about geography, and then solve problems based on selected topics. Teachers will be able to access student statistics in order to gauge student performance. Teachers will also be able to add to the applications in the form of creating additional problems for students to solve.
Project Requirements
Design Objectives
Simple to use interface
Intuitive country selection scheme
In-depth help system
Measurable Milestones
Database revisions complete
Help section complete
Quizzing functionality added
Full implementation of framework provided by Ongo-08d sub-team
Updated build of Globey’s World presented to ACS
Functional Requirements
Select a country from a world map
Display facts on chosen country
Compare facts between 2 and 10 countries
Integrate mathematics problem solving in some meaningful way
Screenshots of Globey’s World in Action
Design Constraints
Application shall allow for multiple-platform use (PC, Macintosh, UNIX, etc.)
Program must be easy for third to sixth grade students to use and understand
Basic help must be provided to assist students unfamiliar with computer operation
Figure 1. Country comparison page
Figure 2. Country selection screen