1.1 Background of the Study
The Institution which is today known as Federal Polytechnic, Oko, was approved by the Anambra State Government in 1979 as a College of Arts and Science. In June, 1980, the Institution was upgraded to a College of Arts, Science and Technology. And in 1985, an Edict of the Anambra State Government formalized the status of the College as a Polytechnic and named it Anambra State Polytechnic, Oko. The Polytechnic is situated within Oko town in Orumba North Local Government of Anambra State. On June 28, 1980, the institution was upgraded to College of Arts, Science and Technology. Finally, in 1993, the State Polytechnic was taken over by the Federal Government and was renamed Federal Polytechnic, Oko (Okopoly).
Okopoly offers two sets of programme. Namely;
Okopoly has three campuses. Namely;
In this modern age, where information technology is changing the lives of people constantly across the globe, the computer system has become something of great importance to even the commonest of man. The number of application which computer have been put can be said to be virtually unlimited. This is no surprise, as there are no limits to the number of problems that old arise from all fields of human endeavor. In fact, any problem can be solved with a computer as long as its solution can be expressed as a logical sequence of executable steps.
The use of information technologies and its better application for them is currently a key issue in the development of any nation. The economic, social and cultural profits obtained from the technological factor will belong to those who manipulate them properly (Alenven, 2016).
The design topics and Object Oriented Programming (OOP) are aimed at preparing students so that, knowing the general fundamentals and evolution of programming languages, students should model problems using the object oriented paradigm, make programs using some languages that support it and others hybrids that combine them with aspect orientation and Logic Programming. Thus, students should know the fundamentals, evolution and characteristics of OOP languages, their possibilities and limitations, essential features, functional and logical principles, as well as data structures, cohesion techniques, coupling, encapsulation, heredity and polymorphism, using the defined data structures.
This research work is focused on developing an intelligent tutoring system for learning object oriented programming languages. The basic requirements for the system includes: delivering training on Object oriented programming languages, and stores information for quick and efficient retrieval, which would also provide mechanisms for the updating of the stored data in an automated manner.
An intelligent tutoring system for learning object oriented programming languages is important for management of Federal Polytechnic, Oko as well as for the staff and productivity. Unfortunately, the system seemed to be far-fetched, especially when it was done manually using many different methods of data manipulation. But with automation, only the administrator will have to be responsible for the manipulation of data using highly advanced and user friendly user interfaces. This of course will result in speed and accuracy in data handling.
Today, most African educationists and learners have little access or interest in the use of Intelligent tutoring system. Thus, the learning process can be exploited to its fullest if it can cater to distance based students, the cheapest and most efficient means is to teach as an expert through the use of software. This calls for the need to have an intelligent tutoring system that can effectively cater to the needs of students anytime, anywhere and under any condition. The cheapest and most efficient means is to teach as an expert through the use of software.
In this context, one of the problem lie on how to interface man to the computer system and at the same time learns how the sources are shared.
Other problem includes:
1.3 Aim and Objectives of the Study
The main aim of this project is to design and implement an intelligent tutoring system for learning object oriented programming languages for Federal Polytechnic Oko.
The sole objectives of this system are the following:
The use of an intelligent tutoring system goes a long way to solve the problems of face-to-face learning process. However, the computerization of the learning process will provide advantages such as the ease of distance-learning, proper management of student information, and will also help in prevention of data loss as documentation will be computerized and not manual. This work will help in instructing students in studying their courses and also improve their attitude towards the use of the computer and also the study will serve as a useful reference material to other researchers seeking related information. Afterwards, further development can be made on the project work in accordance to the rapid development in information technology in the near future.
1.5 Scope of the Study
The scope of this study is limited to designing an intelligent tutoring system for learning object oriented programming languages for Federal Polytechnic, Oko, which will serve as a central repository for all information concerning object oriented programming languages.
1.6 Limitations of Study
In the course of carrying out this research work a number of problems were encountered.
1.7 Definition of Terms
Intelligent Tutoring System (ITS) is a computer system that aims to provide immediate and customized instruction or feedback to learners, usually without requiring intervention from a human teacher. ITSs have the common goal of enabling learning in a meaningful and effective manner by using a variety of computing technologies.
Artificial Intelligence (AI): it is an intelligence demonstrated by machines, as opposed to natural intelligence displayed by animals including humans.
Automation: it is the replacement of human workers by technology; a system in which a workplace or processes has been converted to one that replaced or ministries human labor with electronic or mechanical equipment.
Data processing: it is defined as the entire process of converting or manipulating data into definite meaningful information (Adigwe, & Okoye, 2015).
Data Security: Data security prevents unauthorized users from viewing or updating the database by the use of passwords.
Data: is any collections of vital information that meant to be processed.
Database Management System (DBMS): it is software which controls the flow of data and checks and checks on how data are stored.
Database: is an organized /unique collection of related files. It is a collection of schemas, tables, queries, reports, views and other object.
Design: is the art or process of designing how something will look, work.
Documentation: material that provides official information or evidence that serves as record; written specifications and information that describes the product.
Information: is a processed data that can be read and understand.
Learning: this is the process of acquiring new understanding, knowledge, behaviors, skills, values, attitudes, and preferences.
Management: it is act of getting people together to accomplish desired goals and objectives using available resources efficiently and effectively. It includes planning, organizing, staffing, leading or directing, and controlling an organization or a system to accomplish a goal.
Multiple Intelligences: it refers to a theory describing the different ways students learn and acquire information. These multiple intelligences range from the use of words, numbers, pictures and music, to the importance of social interactions, introspection, physical movement and being in tune with nature.
Pedagogical method: it is often described as the act of teaching, the pedagogy adopted by teachers’ shapes their actions, judgments, and other teaching strategies by taking into consideration theories of learning, understandings of students and their needs, and the backgrounds and interests of individual students.
Security: This helps to prevent unauthorized users from illegally accessing certain data within the database, it protects your data/ files.
Software: is a program or a set of programs written to carry out some task in the computer, it also perform logical related programs that works together to control the hardware.
System: It is the collection of hardware and software, data information procedure and people.