Name: Sean
Surname: Sharara
Candidate Number: 5085
Center Number: 020180
Subject: Computer science
Project: 1
Topic Security and Ethics
Computer Science Project: Design and Implementation of a
Computer Science Laboratory Management System for Mavhudzi
High School
Stage 1: Problem Identification
Problem description
Managing the Computer Science laboratory at Mavhudzi High School presents several
challenges. Currently, there is no efficient system for tracking computer hardware, scheduling lab
usage, or monitoring student activity. As a result, problems such as missing or malfunctioning
devices, double-booked sessions, and unauthorized access to the lab often occur. These issues
lead to overcrowding, loss of valuable teaching time, and reduced access to computer resources,
ultimately disrupting the learning experience and limiting students’ ability to complete projects
or practical work efficiently.
Statement of Intent
This project aims to develop an efficient Computer Science Laboratory Management System
specifically for Mavhudzi High School. The system will streamline the tracking of computers and
accessories, improve scheduling of lab sessions to avoid conflicts, and enhance security by
controlling user access. By automating these functions, the system will help ensure that the lab
is well-organized, resources are protected, and students and teachers can carry out practical
activities without disruptions.
Design Specifications
The project will focus on the following features that are realistic and achievable at school
level:
Login System: A simple username and password login for students and teachers.
Lab Booking Calendar: A digital or printed timetable to avoid session clashes.
Maintenance Checklist: A checklist for caretakers or ICT staff to report issues.
Stage 2: Investigation of Related Ideas
Research showed that many schools still use manual logbooks to track lab usage, but this method
is unreliable due to errors and missing data. Some schools use digital tools like spreadsheets or
online forms to schedule sessions, reducing conflicts but lacking security.
1. Use of class registers or logbooks to record which student uses which computer.
Merit
Provides clear accountability by recording which student used which computer.
Demerits
Can be misplaced or damaged easily, and entries can be forgotten or forged.
2. Use of spreadsheets (e.g., Microsoft Excel) to schedule lessons and track equipment.
Merit
Helps in efficiently scheduling lessons and tracking equipment status in a structured
format.
Demerits
Still requires manual data entry and may become disorganized if not properly managed.
3. Using teacher supervision and monitoring sheets to manually track time and behavior.
Merits
Encourages discipline and allows teachers to manually monitor and document student
behavior and time spent.
Demerits
Time-consuming for teachers and may divert attention away from actual teaching or
assisting students.
Stage 3: Generation of Ideas
Proposed Solutions for Improving Laboratory Management at Mavhudzi High School:
1. A simple Excel or Google Sheets document to manage lab session bookings and avoid
double bookings.
Merit
Prevents double bookings by clearly showing who has reserved the lab and when.
Demerits
May lead to errors or overlaps if not regularly updated or if multiple users edit at once.
2. Students log into computers with usernames and passwords, allowing tracking of usage
and responsible use.
Merit
Tracks individual student activity, promoting responsible usage.
Demerits
Students may forget passwords or share them, reducing effectiveness.
3. Teachers record which student uses which computer to maintain accountability and
prevent misuse.
Merit
Helps identify patterns of behavior or technical issues with specific machines.
Demerits
Time-consuming for teachers to track usage manually.
Stage 4: Development of Selected Ideas
Chosen Solution: Cloud-Based Lab Management System with Automated Scheduling
After analyzing several possible solutions, a cloud-based lab management system was
selected due to its accessibility, efficiency, and ease of deployment using free or open-source
tools. This solution allows teachers and students to access and interact with the system from
any device connected to the internet, eliminating the need for complex infrastructure.
Materials Required
To implement this solution effectively, the following resources and tools were required:
VB (for user interface design)
Authentication System: For secure login functionality.
Development Process
The system was developed through a step-by-step process involving design, coding, and
testing. Below is an outline of each development stage:
1. Database Design and Implementation
users (storing usernames, passwords, and roles)
bookings (Class occupying, Booking ID,)
2. Interface Development
Login Interface:
A secure login page was created using Visual Basics
Authentication checked credentials against the database and directed users to the
appropriate dashboard.
Booking Interface:
A scheduling page was created to allow users to select available time slots.
Booking data was validated and stored in the bookings table.
Stage 5: Presentation of Results
Login Form and code for entering into the lab
Booking Form and code
User Database
Booking Database
Stage 6: Evaluation and Recommendations
Evaluation
The development of the Lab Management System helped solve key problems such as
double bookings, poor equipment tracking, and weak access control.
However, some challenges were faced:
Challenges
Real-time system updates were difficult to achieve due to limited internet and server
resources. This was managed by improving how the system stores and refreshes data
locally.
Setting up user authentication required extra care to ensure only teachers and students
could log in. This was solved by creating unique usernames and passwords for each user.
Overall, the system worked well, especially for a low-resource school setup. It made lab
management more organized, saved time, and was easier to use compared to manual
methods.
Recommendations
To make the system even better in the future, the following upgrades are suggested:
Biometric Login (Fingerprint or Face Scan): To improve security and prevent
password sharing.
Basic Monitoring Features: To help track student behavior or misuse of lab computers.
