1 2012-03-07 Feasibility Study Deborah Ajibade 12CGR Step 1: Observations: Diaries and information received from the school

is still paper-based and it is cumbersome for students in this technological age. Present process: Diaries are given to the students at the beginning of the year Newsletters handed out every month

Please Note: Attached are a few newsletters for the benefit of the reader and all interested parties. These will be converted to E-copies if or when the proposed idea is implemented.

Step 2: Problem Domain: The problem is that information vital to students and parents alike are still being handled in the paper fashion. Newsletters and Diaries are handed out every year costing the school unnecessary expenses during the school year. This means it costs parents when such prices are included within the school fees. Inputs, Processes, Outputs and Data Storage: Input: Money and Effort Process: Organising, detailing and editing information in the newsletters and diaries, thereafter sending them in for mass printing of up to 750 copies. Output: Diaries and Newsletters are printed and then made available to the school. Data Storage: Soft copies of Diaries and Newsletters whereabouts are undisclosed.

Strengths and Weaknesses of current system: Strengths: - Guarantee of knowledge that information has been received by all interested parties. - Effective and necessary for all students. - Costly - Creates dependency on paper during a technological age where such things are gradually becoming obsolete. Goals the new system should achieve: - Cost effective - Reliable - Technologically sound and advanced - Render same services as current system in a secure and realistic technological outcome. Weaknesses:

Step 3: 2 Existing solutions: 1, LMS(Learning Management Software): A software application for the administration, delivery, tracking and reporting of online learning. Examples of this would be BlackBoard (based on fees) or Moodle (Open-sourced). Although this solution is mainly used for physical education, one of its features is a News Forum in which an area of general news or announcements is made for the benefit of interested parties. In terms of: Input (News and Information); Process (Inputting info in html code to be displayed); Output (Displayed Information on website); and Data Storage (Online), it is well-developed. This is a solution to be considered because it achieves the goal of being cost-effective even though it only applies to Newsletters. 2. Calender Program: A program that is operational on any standard cellular phone. This allows users to set reminders for a specific date and get them on the day itself, the calendar is basically pre-programmed allowing for easy use timeously and effectively. Inputs include day, time and reminder needed, Outputs include a sonar reminder at designated time, Process includes storage until designated time then trigger to release sonar reminder. Data is stored on phones memory to be used when required.

Step 4: Recommendation: Proposing a diary structured program for phones in which required information is relayed to the learner during the day, throughout the day. Learners will input desired functions and assignments as well as homework when assigned. Reminders will then be activated at designated time. Newsletters will be sent electronically every month. This will ensure that things are no longer paper-based thus the problematic aspect of expenses outlined in Step 2. Input: 1. Assignments, homework and projects assigned on their final due dates 2. E-copies of newsletters Process: 1. Dates are stored and calibrated into how many weeks theyll take. Output: 1. Reminders up till due date 2. List of required tasks on each day 3. Receipt of monthly Newsletters Data Storage: Data stored on phone memory or memory card dependent on availability of either. Conclusion: This idea will be applicable in middle to high income schools in which most students have cellular phones. It is appropriate because it counters the problems schools have with adapting to the Digital Era for generations. I think it will be fairly feasible due to the fact that majority of South African students have cell phones. In the cases where they do not, the paper method would apply as previously. This could also be structured to incorporate reports thus eliminating the factor of miscommunication and false information.