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CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study

Technology has become an integral part of our daily lives, allowing individuals to

operate more efficiently and effectively than ever before. In this generation, almost all

individuals own different gadgets that are available whenever and wherever they go.

According to (Chukwuebuka Joseph Ejiyi et al. 2021) that the growth of the use of

android applications (Apps) has made it the most popular smart device operating system

in use nowadays. Students of higher institutions of learning are also becoming

accustomed to the use of applications such that they want everything available for them

on their mobile devices. Having applications that are accessible on any device and in

different locations, especially in traveling for locating directions and places these need

maps. Maps are vital in the travel process since they serve as a guide to which destination

an individual wants to visit.

Digital mapping (also known as digital or computer cartography) is the process of

compiling and formatting spatial data into a virtual image on a computer. This

technology's primary function is to generate maps that provide accurate representations of

a specific area, detailing major road arteries and other points of interest. Indoor mapping

is a ground-breaking concept that depicts an indoor venue and spatial data on a digital 2D

map. Interactive maps are a fantastic method to show useful information in an appealing

manner by inviting the user to take action. It displays data on a map. It is an additional

tool or feature in providing information, especially about different academic institutions

and businesses. There are different kinds of interactive maps depending on their usage.
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An example is an interactive campus map, which is now a useful element on an

educational institution’s website.

Campuses are quite large so stakeholders have a difficult time getting around.

Especially Jose Rizal Memorial State University-Katipunan Campus, it has a large land

area with a total of 349, 672 sq.m. Before it became a University, it was once called

Katipunan National Agricultural School or KNAS. KNAS because the school have

acquired 137 hectares of rolling farmlands in Sanao, which is 16 kilometers away from

the campus. Under the Higher Education Act of 1994, KNAS was classified as a Higher

Education Institution under the direct Administrative Supervision of the Commission on

Higher Education (CHED). This has changed the course offerings in the institution that

includes more four-year degree programs and the consequent expansion of the faculty

roster to accommodate the surge of enrolment. The course offerings now include the

Bachelor of Secondary Education with majors in Mathematics, Biology and General

Science, Bachelor of Elementary Education with majors in English, Social Studies,

Science and Health Education, Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, and Bachelor

of Science in Agri-Business.

Schools and universities with a large campus cater more new students every year.

Therefore, institutions where the buildings, offices and classrooms are quite complicated.

Students, especially the freshmen students, sometimes find it hard to get to familiarize

with the rooms, buildings and different locations inside the campus. Schools with wide

campuses are hard to familiarize and to find the location one wishes to be which lead the

researchers to identify the following problem relating to location (Anna Liza A. Ramos,

et al. (January 2018).

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An ordinary map does not seem to be helpful since it does not indicate user

location. It may take time to known the user’s current place. Searching destination inside

a building is challenging as the hallways inside a building are almost similar. Ask other

people around the area may get the direction but it will be very tricky when the way to

the destination consist many turnings point. Another challenge was need to remember all

the directory correctly [1]. From a campus map, it just indicates the name of building in

campus. It does not have the detail lecture room, laboratory, etc. to make the new comer

more convenience to find the destination (AIP Conference Proceedings 1883, 2017).

Kincaid and Marissa (2016) equally revealed that Google maps and GPS systems

have become indispensable in recent years, with vast amounts of users relying on them

for directions but their capabilities have not yet been fully applied to university

campuses. Directions within campuses are not available using Google map application

and as such this work is geared towards making provision for such on mobile devices due

to the fact that emerging location-aware mobile technologies are being applied

successfully and different technologies such as Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID),

Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) and so on are being applied to allow mobile devices interact

with the environment (Akinwunmi et al. 2016).

Because of these different gaps exists, the researchers are motivated to conduct a

research study on developing JRMSU-K iMap. They believed that this application could

reduce the gap mentioned above. Because the campus's current mapping situation is

static, even when stakeholders ask for directions, they frequently are unable to locate

their intended destination because getting directions requires knowing the locations of

nearby buildings and notable campus landmarks. In that case, the iMap which is an
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android app based on activity theory, mapping theory, and mobile interface theory can

serve as a guide for stakeholders inside the campus. As they enter the campus,

stakeholders can easily locate or search for the name of the building and the staff they

want to visit or inquire by just simply using the application. The list of names and

designations of the professors and staff and the building can be viewed through the

system so that these stakeholders will be prompted as to the location of the personnel to

visit inside the campus. It provides an informative guides of the entire campus with

markings of each building location.

The Physical Plant Division Unit Head is the administrator of iMap. He can

update the application if there are changes to be made on the campus map, such as new

buildings, renovations, or new professors and staff of the school. The most significant

benefits this application offers is speed, the ability to work offline, and accessibility from

Google drive for easy download. There is also a provided link or QR code for the

stakeholder to access. The administrator updates the system, and the stakeholders can

acquire the updated version and it utilizes internet access while downloading data. If the

program is being updated, it can then be used offline.

Statement of the Problem

This study aims to develop an iMap an android based application, which provides

route guide for stakeholders around the Campus, routes that include the buildings of the

campus within the oval area, excluding the rice field part, as well as the names of the

faculty and staff of the campus.

This is conducted during the first semester of the Academic Year 2021-2022:

1. What is the current status of the existing campus map in JRMSU-K?

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2. What are the problem encountered by the students in locating buildings and

faculty and staffs around the campus?

3. What are the features of JRMSU-K iMap based on Activity Theory, Mapping

Theory and Mobile Interface Theory that could help the stakeholders?

4. How can iMap work based on ISO Standard 25010:

a. Functional Suitability

b. Performance Efficiency

c. Compatibility

d. Usability

e. Reliability

f. Security

g. Maintainability

h. Portability

Significance of the Study

The importance of this study is to make the stakeholders’ navigation inside the

campus easier, providing them a route guide as an assistance while they go on the campus

premises. The researchers’ study is entitled: Jose Rizal Memorial State University-

Katipunan Campus iMap based on Activity Theory, Mapping Theory and Mobile

Interface Theory. The iMap also provides names of the professors/faculty and staff

working in the institution.

The main beneficiaries of this study are:

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Stakeholders. This application helps the stakeholders of the university as they

roam around the campus. They have a guide where they need to go and they will not get

lost.

Administrator. The newly developed i-map will assist administrators in locating

the desired building of their transactions.

Other Schools. Result of this will encourage other schools to adopt innovations

especially in the implementation of interactive maps.

Researchers. This study helps the researchers to gather additional information,

which ultimately leads to additional learning.

Scope and Delimitation of the Study

The study is conducted during the first semester AY 2022-2023 at Jose Rizal

Memorial State University Katipunan Campus.

The scope of the study is the JRMSU –Katipunan Campus, the developed

JRMSU-K iMap include the following features: (1) Campus map module. This module

shows the campus map of the school. The campus map consists of buildings. (2) Search

module. This module allows the user to search a location to its destination. (3) Building

and Personnel information module. This module shows the information of the building

such as the building name and name of faculty.

The delimitation of the study are: first, it only covers the area from the gate to the

oval and the grandstand excluding the rice field part. Second, the application is used

offline, it just needs internet when downloading the app. Third, application does not

provide a real time data. Fourth, the indicator to direct certain location is static. Fifth, the

application runs on smartphones with Android Operating System Version 8.0 and above.
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Sixth, the system only have one search bar used for the query. Seventh, the application

can only search building to building, office to building and building to person. Lastly, the

programmer of the application will only modify the map application layout update.

Operational Definition of Terms

The following terms are operationally defined for the users to understand the

terms used in the study.

Activity Theory. The framework that is used to analyze human activities and

understand the relationships between the stakeholders, android device and the objective

of the system.

Administrator. The person who manages the system, and can update when there

are changes to be made in the campus.

Android device. A complex piece of technology that combines various

components and features to provide a powerful and versatile mobile computing

experience.

Compatibility. Refers to the ability of two or more systems, components, or

devices to work together harmoniously and without conflict, despite having different

technical specifications, configurations, or designs.

Digital Mapping. Collection of spatial data is compiled and formatted into a

virtual image on a computer.

Functional Suitability. Ensures that JRMSU-K iMap is able to perform its

intended functions correctly, completely, and appropriately, thereby meeting the needs

and expectations of the users.

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Google Drive. The platform to be used for storing the application for easier

access of the stakeholder.

Interactive Map. Tool for visualizing and exploring geographic data, and they

have become an essential component of many modern applications and services that rely

on location-based information.

Internet Access. The process of connecting to the internet using personal

computers, laptops, or mobile devices by users or enterprises. Internet access is subject to

data signaling rates, and users could be connected at different internet speed.

Maintainability. The ability ity of JRMSU-K iMap to undergo changes and

updates, with minimal effort and risk of introducing errors or defects.

Mapping Theory. Provides a foundation for the development and use of digital

maps and spatial data, and it is an essential component of many applications and services

that rely on location-based information

Mobile App. A software application designed to run on a mobile device, such as

a smartphone or tablet.

Mobile Interface Theory. Provides a foundation for the design and development

of user interfaces for mobile devices, and it is an essential component of creating

effective and engaging mobile applications and services.

Performance Efficiency. Refers to the ability of a system, process, or component

to perform a task or function in a timely and effective manner, while minimizing the use

of resources, such as time, energy, memory, or processing power.

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Portability. Allows systems and applications to be easily adapted to different

environments and use cases, and it promotes interoperability and flexibility.

QR code. Stands for “quick response” – code. It is basically a barcode based

representation of the application that can be downloaded through Google drive links.

Stakeholders. The collected term to denote the multiple users of the iMap. This

consists of the parents, students, visitors’ staff, faculty, and walk-in individuals. These

are the individual or group of individuals that are to be benefited by the outcome of this

study.

Reliability. Refers to the ability of JRMSU-K iMap to perform its intended

function in a consistent and predictable manner, under a range of operating conditions

and for a specified period of time.

Route Guide. Tool for anyone who needs to navigate or plan a journey, and it can

help users save time, reduce stress, and make more informed decisions about their travel

plans.

Security. Refers to the protection of a system or network from unauthorized

access, use, disclosure, disruption, modification, or destruction, in order to ensure the

confidentiality, integrity, and availability of data and resources.

Usability. Refers to the ease of use and learnability of a software application or

system, and the effectiveness and efficiency with which users can accomplish their tasks

and goals using the system.

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