1. Ongo-08b: K – 12 Teaching Application Support
Globey’s World
Ongo-08b: K – 12 Teaching Application Support
Team Members Faculty Advisors Client
Brett Gwinn*, CprE | Kiat-Ee Hui , CprE | Samantha Olson, CprE Dr. John Lamont | Professor Ralph Patterson Ames Community School District
*denotes team leader
Abstract
End-Product Description
Ames Community Schools (ACS) has been concerned with the performance of their students in problem solving on a nationally standardized exam. While there are several options for teaching students math, there are very few resources to encourage students to learn more about geography in an entertaining way. 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 application sub-teams and the framework sub-team of the senior design team. The final product will allow students to further enhance their geographic knowledge by studying the content provided by the final product.
Web application to supplement homework and tests in world geography
Extensive help system, full quizzing functionality, and grading capabilities
Integration with the Mathematical Teaching System Software and Uncle Sam’s America through existing framework maintained by another sub-team
Students will be able to log in and use any of the three applications
Student statistics accessible to teachers to gauge student performance
Teachers will be able to create additional problems for students to solve
Introduction
Requirements
General Background
One of three applications for Ongo-08
Mathematical Teaching Software System (MTSS)
Globey’s World (World geography)
Uncle Sam’s America (US geography)
Problem Statement
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
Host: Linux-based Apache server
Backend database: MySQL
Web application code: PHP
Intended Users
Students (grades 3-6)
Teachers and administrators
Intended Uses
Teaching aid to supplement classroom instruction
Monitor each student’s progress
Assumptions
Client uses Internet Explorer or Netscape 6.0 or greater
Client computers have internet connectivity
Limitations
Product implementation
Speed and bandwidth of client computers
Computer inexperience of students
Expected End Product
Four levels of use
Globe
Region
Country
Comparison page
Fully functional application
Interactive maps
Country comparisons
Dynamic help
Quizzing functionality
Grading functionality
Leverages Ongo-08d framework
Design Objectives
Simple to use interface
Intuitive country selection scheme
Dynamic help system
Measurable Milestones
Geography based game(s)
Implementation of dynamic help
Grading functionality
Full implementation of framework
Automatic country database update daemon evaluated
Functional Requirements
Select a region from a world map
Select a country from a region map
Display facts on chosen country
Compare facts between countries (2 up to 10)
Integrate mathematics problem solving
Design Constraints
Multiple platform use (PC, Mac, etc.)
Intuitive for third to sixth grade students
Basic help assisting students unfamiliar with computer operation
Technical Approach
Software Design
Graphical user interface
Coding (PHP, HTML, CSS)
Graphical design (Adobe applications)
Database (MySQL)
Framework integration (code structure provided by Ongo-08d)
Project Specialization
Team experts oversee development in their area of expertise
Team leader responsible for distribution of additional tasks
Testing Approach
Summary
External
Ongo-08
Prototype testing
Bug/error reporting
Regional Schools
Testing supported by school region.
Internal
Globey’s World sub-team testing
Development unit testing
Positive functional testing
Boundary (negative) testing
Usability
We believe that this software will help elementary school students learn geography in a fun and effective way. The flexibility allows different schools and teachers to tailor the application to their needs and results in an adequate solution to increase geography knowledge.
Acknowledgements
The Globey’s World team would like to extend thanks to Dr. John Lamont and Professor Ralph Patterson 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 and United Community School District, who will be providing guidance toward the final product.
Schedule
Budgets
Globey’s World Screenshots