DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION OF A WEB-BASED SOCIAL NETWORKING SITE FOR STAFF AND STUDENTS

ABSTRACT

Recently, online Social Networking Sites (SNSs) have exploded in popularity. Numerous sites are dedicated to finding and maintaining contacts and to locating and sharing different types of content. Online social networks represent a new kind of information network that differs significantly from existing networks. Results showed that participants often use the internet, especially social networking sites, to connect and reconnect with friends and family members. Objectives are to enable online contexts to strengthen different aspects of offline connections, and to promote individuality in a social context within the community. Meanwhile to bring about the social medium that will present the students and staff with ethical decisions about self disclosure and acceptable behaviour. The methodology used for the purpose of this study was Structured System Analysis Design and Methodology (SSADM) to determining how the design of a social networking website can affect its usability and to provide the tools in which a member can share content. Social network sites (SNSs) are increasingly attracting the attention of academic and industry researchers intrigued by their affordances and reach. In the background of the study, we describe features of SNSs and propose a comprehensive definition. We then present one perspective on the history of such sites in the review of literature, discussing key changes and developments. After briefly summarizing existing scholarship concerning social networking sites, we conclude with considerations for future research.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1         Background of the Study

Social networking is a phenomenon which has existed since society began. Human beings have always sought to live in social environments. The proliferation of social networking sites (SNS) and their pervasion in everyday practices is affecting how societies manage their social networks. To a significant extent, SNS have shifted local networking to the internet. In less than five years, these sites have grown from a niche online activity into a phenomenon, through which tens of millions of the internet users are connected both their leisure time, and at work, and also at school. Networking is a system of trying to meet and talk to other people who may be useful to you in your work. Social networking is a theoretical construct useful in the social sciences to study social relationships among students. The theoretical approach is necessary and relational.

1.2         Statement of the Problem

Social network sites are based around profiles, a form of individual (for less frequently, group) homes page, which offers a description of each member. In addition to text, images and video created by the member, the social network site profile also contains comments from other members, and a public list of people that one identifies as friend within the network. Due to this effect and the lack of it in our present communalism; there is a loophole that must be bridged which has caused less relationships among the students resulting to minimal ideas in situations like tweeting famous conversation, attending lectures remotely share inspirations, ideas, reading and thoughts, and also absence in interpersonal understanding, that is getting to know small bits of others overtime, as happens through social media, which provides a greater picture of who those people are and to develop a deeper sense of understanding for openness and sharing in the classroom.

1.3         Objectives of the Study

The objectives of this study are:

• To design and implement a web based social networking system for students and staff.
• Improve on the demands on teacher when redesigning curriculum.
• How students can become valued participants in the teaching and learning process.
• The development of appropriate tool to ensure that active student learning takes place; learning which supports the new literacy needed in our world today.

1.4         Significance of the Study

This project is aimed at returning sanity and restoring hope in the minds of students by putting an end to the clash of lectures and unnecessary shift of lecture by lecturers. The new system will be a reference point for all further research on this subject matter by other departments, faculties and other schools that wish to eliminate the clash of lectures. Potential benefits for students in using social networking are explained in terms below:

Social and recreational new media used as a site of learning– It is important to appreciate that people who are interacting socially online are accumulating social and technological skills that are needed to participate in contemporary society.

Diversity in form of media literacy– Online interactions range from purely friendship-driven to interest driven, but each may have benefits in terms of socializing or education that are necessary for participation in future social network environment.

Peer-based learning- Use of new media facilitates learning from peers, which has some advantages over learning from adults, including teachers.

1.5         Scope of the Study

Social networking site is a web-based service that allows individuals to construct a public or semi-public profile, articulates a list of other users with whom they share a connection, new and traverse their list of connections and those made by others within the system. Networking emphasizes relations initiation, often between strangers. While networking is possible on these sites, it is not the primary practices on many of them; nor is it what differentiates them from other forms of computer-mediated communication (CMC). It has to implement in all university in Nigeria. This study shall focus on the development of social networking system for students and staff.

1.6         Definition of Terms

Few terminologies to be defined as it relates to the whole study of chapter one.

Networking                     to increase greatly in number or to reproduce rapidly.

Phenomenon                  something experienced; a factor occurrence that can be observed.

Niche                                   place or an area of the market specializing in one type of product or service.

Proponent                        somebody who advocates something or a propose

Semiotics                           the study of signs and symbols of all kinds; what the mean, and how they relate to things.

Constructionist             somebody putting specified construction on text.

Epidemiology                 pattern of disease development

Scaffold Communalism

platform for execution communal living or support for a communal society

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