- Project Overview
The ISU Pulse application aims to provide Iowa State University (ISU) students, teachers, and administrators with a comprehensive platform to manage schedules, access campus information, and facilitate communication. The app integrates various functionalities such as class schedules, campus maps, real-time chat, and weather updates to enhance the campus experience for all users. 2. Team Members and Roles
Autrin (Frontend Developer)
Responsible for designing and implementing the user interface and user experience.
Bach (Frontend Developer)
Collaborates on UI/UX development and ensures responsiveness across devices.
Minh (Backend Developer)
Develops and maintains server-side logic, database structures, and API integrations.
Chris (Backend Developer)
Focuses on backend infrastructure, security, and data management.
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Core Requirements Alignment 3.1. Different Categories of Users
Administrators Manage student and teacher accounts. Edit and oversee class schedules. Control access to various app functionalities. Send system-wide announcements and urgent messages. Teachers/Managers Access and modify course schedules. Communicate with students through announcements and messages. Manage course-related materials and resources. Students/Users View and manage personal class schedules and calendars. Communicate with peers through real-time chat and study groups. Access campus maps, building information, bus schedules, and weather updates. Explore and review local amenities such as restaurants and entertainment centers.
3.2. Multi-User System
Supports simultaneous access and interactions from multiple users across different roles.
Implements efficient session management to handle concurrent operations smoothly.
Real-time updates ensure that changes made by administrators and teachers reflect promptly for students.
Enables collaborative features such as study groups and shared schedules.
3.3. Features & Technologies
Campus Maps Integration
Utilize Google Maps API to provide detailed maps of ISU buildings, including room numbers and operating hours.
Offer navigation assistance with suggested routes and paths for new students.
Include information and reviews for local restaurants and entertainment venues.
Bus Schedules and Routes
Fetch real-time bus schedules and route information using relevant transportation APIs.
Provide suggestions for optimal routes to reach various campus locations.
System Announcements
Allow administrators and teachers to send timely and urgent messages to targeted user groups.
Notifications for important events, deadlines, and campus alerts.
Calendar and Scheduling
Enable users to add, edit, and manage personal events and tasks.
Support for recurring events, start and end times, and event details.
Option to sync with external calendars and export schedules.
Real-Time Chat and Study Groups
Implement real-time, synchronous messaging using technologies like WebSocket.
Facilitate the creation of study groups for collaborative learning and discussion.
Allow users to add friends via contacts or NetID and view shared classes.
Weather Information
Integrate a weather API to provide up-to-date weather forecasts and conditions relevant to campus activities.
3.4. Complex Database Relationships
User Management
Tables for storing detailed information about students, teachers, and administrators.
Relationships to manage permissions, access levels, and user interactions.
Course and Schedule Management
Database structures to handle courses, class sections, and scheduling details.
Associations between students and enrolled courses, including shared schedules.
Messaging and Communication
Tables to store chat histories, group conversations, and announcements.
Manage friend lists and contact information securely.
External Data Integration
Efficient storage and retrieval of data from external sources like Google Maps and weather services.
3.5. Significant Graphical User Interface (GUI)
Administrator Dashboard
Intuitive interface for managing users, courses, and system announcements.
Visualizations for monitoring app usage and system performance.
Teacher Interface
Accessible tools for modifying course content, schedules, and communicating with students.
Easy navigation between different classes and student groups.
Student Interface
User-friendly design for accessing schedules, maps, chats, and additional resources.
Responsive layout optimized for various Android devices.
Interactive elements for seamless navigation and user engagement.
3.6. Extra Components and Considerations
AI Assistance
Integrate GPT-based suggestions to help students choose suitable classes based on interests and degree requirements.
Building Interior Maps
Detailed floor plans for campus buildings to assist in locating specific rooms and facilities.
Threading and Concurrency
Implement multi-threading where necessary to handle simultaneous data fetches and updates without affecting performance.
Security and Privacy
Ensure secure authentication mechanisms, especially when integrating NetID for user identification.
Adhere to data privacy standards for handling user information and communications.
- Development Timeline (week)
Week
Tasks
1
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Set up development environment and tools.
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Finalize project requirements and specifications.
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Distribute initial tasks among team members.
2-3
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Develop basic UI layouts for all user roles.
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Set up backend infrastructure and database schemas.
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Begin implementing user authentication and management.
4-5
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Integrate calendar and scheduling functionalities.
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Implement course and schedule management systems.
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Develop real-time chat feature framework.
6-7
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Incorporate Google Maps and weather API integrations.
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Enhance UI/UX based on feedback and testing.
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Implement system announcement functionalities.
8-9
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Develop friend management and social features.
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Optimize database operations and relationships.
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Conduct thorough testing of implemented features.
10-11
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Integrate AI assistance for class suggestions.
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Implement security enhancements and privacy measures.
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Perform load and performance testing.
12
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Finalize all features and fix identified bugs.
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Prepare documentation and user guides.
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Conduct user acceptance testing and gather feedback.
13-14
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Optimize and polish application based on feedback.
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Prepare presentation materials and demo video.
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Deploy the application and perform final evaluations.
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Expected Deliverables
Functional Android Application A fully integrated and tested app ready for deployment and demonstration. Source Code Repository Organized and documented codebase maintained through GitLab, showcasing consistent updates and collaborative efforts. Technical Documentation Comprehensive documentation detailing system architecture, API integrations, database designs, and user guides. Demo Presentation A concise and informative presentation accompanied by a demo video highlighting key features and use cases. Testing Reports Detailed reports covering unit tests, integration tests, performance tests, and security assessments.
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Conclusion
The ISU Pulse application aspires to enhance the academic and social experience of ISU students by consolidating essential campus services into a single, user-friendly platform. With a clear division of responsibilities and a structured development plan, our team is committed to delivering a high-quality application that meets and exceeds user expectations within the allocated semester timeline.
- License
Shield:
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
The code is for educational purposes and should not be copied or reused by other students for academic work.