Abstract Mobile applications are a rapidly developing segment of the global mobile market.

They consist of software that runs on a mobile device and performs certain tasks for the user of the mobile phone. Also known as downloadables, mobile applications are common on most phones, including inexpensive, entry-level models. Their wide use is due to the many functions they perform including providing user interfaces for basic telephony and messaging services. These applications typically use the mobile phones capability such as its camera, GPS and 3D graphics. They have evolved to the point that they now give users a rich and fast user experience. In this respect, mobile applications are distinctly different from browsing the mobile Web which is still characterized by latencies due to page load times.

Statement of the problem There is a rising need to move higher learning services closer and closer to the students. As much as the students are able to access their student details from the internet, there is need to also have them access through mobile application. Other than students accessing their academic progress from the internet, the services need to also be migrated to mobile platforms which will be more convenient than the internet. A sharp increase in the use of mobile applications and mobile devices within enterprises means organizations will need to manage their mobility going forward. Of late, we have witnessed a revolution regarding new applications and services added to the mobile phone which is turning the ordinary citizen into a consumer who gets more and more dependent on the network and available services. Like in Kemu, the students will see it as a good move as most of the time they have to look for internet or visit the KeMu hub for the service.

Reason for choice of topic and problem As much as students are able to check their academic progress and view their accounts details from the internet, internet applications are slowly being migrated to mobile platforms. This migration will prove to be overwhelmingly convenient than the internet itself. Currently, when the trimesters start, students have to either look for internet facility or physically walk to KeMu hub to query their financial status which is proving to be inconvenient and time wasting to the students especially the part timers who have little time between work and school. Majority if not all of the students carry their mobile phones with them all the time as opposed to most computers being connected to a specific location which will make this

mobile application accessible everywhere and at all times. Mobile phones are cheaper than computers and also easier to use thus adding value where the internet services cannot reach. Purpose and objective of the project The research objective is to evaluate and see if the students academic progress and fees balances can be more conveniently accessed. The project will try to come up with a system that will enable the students to be able to query their academic progress and financial track record from their mobile phones. The project is intended to come up with a mobile application developed in java programming language. The software will run on the mobile phone with the mobile application being downloadable and inexpensive to acquire. From a users internet enabled mobile phone, one is able to install the application and start enjoying the services. This project aims at evaluating how closer the student progress reporting can be moved closer to the students. Research Methodology In this project I will use a survey method from various institutions in Nairobi to establish how the students get to access their academic and fees information. Data Collection and Analysis Data Collection: In my research, I will use structured questionnaires which are expected to be designed and disseminated through the various colleges Personal interviews will also be used on the administration and students References will also be made from the institutions materials related to this project Some of the questions include: How are the students currently accessing their academic progress? By way of questionnaires and interacting with them, I will be able to know how they get to access this information. How are the students currently accessing their fees balances? With use of questionnaires and interaction with them. Also getting the information from the administration What are the challenges in the current method employed by the institution? The questionnaires will also assist in getting this information. How can the services be improved? By finding out the available technologies/software to enable the services be migrated to a mobile application.

 How is the use of mobile applications perceived by the students, being the main stakeholders How I intend to solve the problem The project is intended to come up with a mobile application developed in java programming language. The software will run on the mobile phone and perform the tasks of accessing the students academic progress and finance and accounts details. The application will be downloadable and inexpensive to acquire. From a users internet enabled mobile phone, one is able to install the application and start enjoying the services. Software tools: Database: MySQL Server Development Environment: Netbeans 6.9.1 Programming Language : Java; J2ME DBMS:-MySQL GUI Tools V.5.0.1 Concept:-Mobile Computing Hardware tools: One Laptop HP 550, 2GB Ram, Service Pack 2, 120 GB HDD

Project Schedule

TASK NO

TASK

EXPECTED START DATE 05/12/2010 13/12/2010 16/12/2010 01/03/2011 08/o3/2011

EXPECTED FINISH DATE 12/12/2010 15/12/2010 28/02/2011 08/03/2011 14/03/2011

1 2 3 4 5

Fact finding Requirement specification Design and coding Implementation User testing acceptance

6 7

Documentation Presentation

15/03/2011 April, 2011

31/03/2011

Expected project outcome and potential Now with almost every mobile phone in the market comes with a web browser with most wireless providers offering mobile internet, it will not come as a surprise that majority of the users will embrace the product. Handheld mobile devices potentially free the user from the physical size of PCs and laptops and the restraint of cables via wireless connectivity. When complete, the project aims to give users a rich and fast access to their records which will be distinctly different from browsing the Mobile web. ` Literature Review Literature review on Mobile based applications. The following literature on Mobile applications explains how this new technology is gaining root with the mobile computing technology. Mobile services in Tartu Authors : Rain Rannu, Maarja Semevsky Mobi Solutions Ltd, Tartu, Estonia Tartu has been one of the leading cities in Estonia in introducing e-services. It launched its first m-city project in 2004. Since the beginning of 2005 the pilot projects of mneighbourhoodwatch and m-library are working, and m-teacher is being introduced to all the schools in the city.

What are the m-city services? Because mobile penetration exceeds internet penetration, public services that are offered via mobile phone are available to a greater number of people than those offered on the internet. At the end of 2005, mobile penetration in Estonia was over 100, while internet penetration was around 53 per cent. Because people carry their mobile phones with them all the time, while most computers are connected to a specific location, public services that are offered via mobile phones are accessible everywhere and at all times. Therefore, mobile phones will not and cannot replace computers, but add value in places where e-services cannot reach. As of December 2005, the following mobile services have been launched in Tartu: Mobile parking Clients of Estonia mobile operators can pay for parking via their mobile phone. Mobile bus ticket The pilot project of mobile bus ticketing was launched in Tartu from 2002 to 2004 by EMT and Connex. Since January 10th, 2004 there is an ID-card based ticketing system in Tartu which also includes paying for bus tickets via the mobile phone. T-number This is a service created by Regio which allows one to receive information on Tartus sightseeing via the mobile phone: a person dials a certain number and is then provided with an audio clip about the sight. There are 90 audio-clips for different tourist attractions in Tartu today. The codes for different objects can be found in city maps given away in tourist information stands, from the web site of Tartu (www.tartu.ee) and in some cases they can also be found from signs placed next to the sights. In case a map cannot be reached, it is also possible to send an SMS to a short code and a mobile positioning device provides the sender with the codes of the closest objects. Mobile payments Mobile payments make it possible to use a mobile phone for paying for products, services etc. The payment process is started by the client making a phone call from his/her mobile phone to the payment service number of Card Centre, inserting the merchants code and the sum on the mobile phone keypad. The merchant the receives an instant message about the payment to his mobile phone. In Tartu, it is possible to pay with mobile for taxi services, shops and restaurants. M-teacher Since 2005, the service was first launched as a pilot project in some schools and then as a full-time service in all the schools in Tartu. The service provides teachers with an interface to send text messages to the parents when important information needs to be forwarded. M-neighbourhood watch The pilot of m-neighbourhood watch was launched in January 2005. Taxi and bus drivers, security companies and other active people can participate in making Tartu safer by receiving SMS-notifications on issues (missing persons, stolen cars etc) that require watchful eyes. Messages are sent by police control centre and all Tartu

taxi, bus and security companies are included in this project. This project is currently at the pilot stage. M-library The pilot of m-library was launched in February 2005. Tartu City library sends out notifications about waiting lists to the readers mobile phones. If a person wants to borrow a book, movie or audiotape which is currently not available, she can register and receive an SMS when it becomes available. M-Services in other countries:-Sending out exam results via SMS is already working in Stockholm -South-Africa, France Similar to Estonia, exam results are sent to students via the mobile -National University of Ireland, University of Leeds and the University of London-Students receive mobile information on scholarships, job offers, student events through their mobile phones

A Survey of Context-Aware Mobile Computing Research by Guanling Chen and David Kotz Department of Computer Science, Dartmouth College. Dartmouth Computer Science Technical Report TR2000-381 Context-aware computing is a mobile computing paradigm in which applications can discover and take advantage of contextual information(such as user location, time of day, nearby people, devices and user activity) Since it was proposed a decade ago, many researchers have studied this topic and built several context-aware applications to demonstrate the usefulness of this new technology. Wireless Cellular networks-For example, Palm VII automatically connects to the portal www.palm.net whenever the embedded antenna is flipped on. There are several vendors making cellular modems that snap on to a devices serial port or into an expansion port. Wireless PAN(Personal Area Network-Allows communication among devices within a personal operating space, with typical characteristics such as short range, low power, low cost and small networks with 8 to 16 nodes. Shopping Assistant-The devise can guide the shoppers through the store, provide details of items, help locate items, point out items on sale, do a comparative price analysis etc. Office Assistant-Agent that interacts with visitors at the office door and manages the office owners schedule. The assistant is activated when a visitor approach, which is detected by two pressure-sensitive mats placed on both side of the office door and it will adapt its behaviour to such contextual information as the identity of the visitor, the office owners schedule status and busy status and the owners willingness to see the current visitor. Conclusion

Mobile applications are triggering a fundamental shift in the way people experience computing and use mobile phones. Ten years ago, people went to the computer to perform tasks and access the internet and they used the cell phone only to make calls. Today, smartphones let us carry computing with us. Mobile phones are no more a luxury but a necessity Reference http://www.mobisolutions.com.