Coursework

COMP1841 – Web Programming 1

Student Name : NGUYEN TIEN DAT

Student ID : 001366257
Instructor : Huong Vu
Submission Date : 12/11/2024
Table of Contents
I. ABSTRACT....................................................................................................................................... 4
II. INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................................... 4
III. METHODOLOGY ......................................................................................................................... 4
3.1 Tools & Technologies................................................................................................................. 4
3.2 Configuration of the Development Environment ..................................................................... 5
IV. USER REQUIREMENTS .............................................................................................................. 6
4.1 Requirements .............................................................................................................................. 6
4.2 User Requirements ..................................................................................................................... 6
4.3 Use Case Diagram ...................................................................................................................... 8
V. DESIGN .......................................................................................................................................... 10
5.1 Design of Database Schemas ................................................................................................... 10
5.2 System Architecture Overview ................................................................................................ 11
5.2.1 Overview ........................................................................................................................... 11
5.2.2. Architectural elements ..................................................................................................... 12
5.2.3 Scalability and Maintenance ............................................................................................ 17
5.2.4 Aspects of Security ........................................................................................................... 18
5.2.5 Maintainability and Scalability ........................................................................................ 18
5.3 Design of User Interfaces......................................................................................................... 19
VI. THE IMPLEMENTATION.......................................................................................................... 29
6.1 Includes folder .......................................................................................................................... 29
6.2 Admin Folder ............................................................................................................................ 30
6.3 User Folder ............................................................................................................................... 41
6.4 public files................................................................................................................................. 50
VII. DISCUSSION ABOUT GDPR .................................................................................................. 57
VIII. TESTTING ................................................................................................................................ 58
IX. CHALLENGES, SOLUTIONS AND RESULTS ...................................................................... 60
9.1 Challenges................................................................................................................................. 60
9. 2 Results ...................................................................................................................................... 61
9.3 Discussion ................................................................................................................................. 61
9.4 Ethical Considerations ............................................................................................................. 62
X. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS ......................................................................... 62
10.1 Conclusion .............................................................................................................................. 62
10.2 Recommendations .................................................................................................................. 63
XI. REFERENCES ............................................................................................................................. 64
Table of Figures
Figure 1:Database Schema Design .................................................................................................... 10
Figure 2: Guest Page........................................................................................................................... 19
Figure 3: Page that displays a list of questions for guest ................................................................. 20
Figure 4: Student Login Page ............................................................................................................ 20
Figure 5: Admin login page................................................................................................................ 21
Figure 6: New account registration page........................................................................................... 21
Figure 7: Home page for users ........................................................................................................... 22
Figure 8: Forum question list page .................................................................................................... 23
Figure 9: User question list page ....................................................................................................... 23
Figure 10: New question addition page ............................................................................................. 24
Figure 11: Admin request page .......................................................................................................... 24
Figure 12: User personal information overflow ............................................................................... 25
Figure 13: Modules information display page .................................................................................. 26
Figure 14: Administrator home page ................................................................................................. 26
Figure 15: Page displaying list of questions ..................................................................................... 26
Figure 16: Page displaying list of student requests .......................................................................... 27
Figure 17: Student account management page ................................................................................. 27
Figure 18: Modules management page. ............................................................................................ 28
Figure 19: DatabaseConnection.php.................................................................................................. 29
Figure 20: DatabaseFunction.php ...................................................................................................... 29
Figure 21: add_module....................................................................................................................... 30
Figure 22: admin_home.php .............................................................................................................. 31
Figure 23: answer_request.php .......................................................................................................... 31
Figure 24: delete_module.php ........................................................................................................... 32
Figure 25: delete_question.php .......................................................................................................... 33
Figure 26: delete_request.php ............................................................................................................ 34
Figure 27: delete_user.php ................................................................................................................. 35
Figure 28: edit_module.php ............................................................................................................... 36
Figure 29: list_questions.php: ............................................................................................................ 37
Figure 30: list_request.php ................................................................................................................. 38
Figure 31: manage_user.php .............................................................................................................. 39
Figure 32: module.php ....................................................................................................................... 40
Figure 33: add_question.php .............................................................................................................. 41
Figure 34: delete_comment.php ........................................................................................................ 42
Figure 35: delete_question.php .......................................................................................................... 43
Figure 36: edit_question.php.............................................................................................................. 44
Figure 37: home.php........................................................................................................................... 45
Figure 38: list_questions.php ............................................................................................................. 45
Figure 39: module.php ....................................................................................................................... 46
Figure 40: my_questions.php ............................................................................................................. 47
Figure 41: profile.php ......................................................................................................................... 48
Figure 42: request_to_admin.php ...................................................................................................... 49
Figure 43: admin_login.php ............................................................................................................... 50
Figure 44: adminstyle.css ................................................................................................................... 51
Figure 45: index.php........................................................................................................................... 52
Figure 46: login.php ........................................................................................................................... 52
Figure 47: logout.php ......................................................................................................................... 53
Figure 48: public_home.php .............................................................................................................. 53
Figure 49: public_list_questions.php................................................................................................. 54
Figure 50: register.php ........................................................................................................................ 55
Figure 51: style.css ............................................................................................................................. 56
I. ABSTRACT
This report explores the design and implementation of a CRUD (Create, Read, Update,
Delete) website to facilitate student discussions and enhance peer-to-peer learning. The system,
built with PHP PDO and MySQL, provides essential features such as posting, editing, and
deleting questions, alongside user and module management. Emphasis is placed on data security,
web accessibility, and compliance with GDPR guidelines. Through detailed documentation of the
development process, including interface design, database architecture, and testing, the report
offers insights into web development best practices. References to recent studies and articles
from reputable sources such as BBC, The Guardian, and TechCrunch contextualize the work
within the broader scope of educational technology.

II. INTRODUCTION
The rapid evolution of digital technologies, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, has
reshaped education, with online platforms becoming essential for learning and interaction. This
report outlines the development of a CRUD-based web application for student interaction,
designed to replicate the functionality of platforms like Stack Overflow. The system emphasizes
usability, accessibility, and data security, drawing from user experience principles (Krug, 2014)
and web accessibility guidelines (ISO, 2019). It employs secure coding practices using PHP PDO
and MySQL to safeguard data integrity, addressing security concerns in educational technologies
(Heater, 2023). The report also covers the development process, challenges, and future
recommendations for ethical web development in education.

III. METHODOLOGY
3.1 Tools & Technologies
I used the following technologies and tools to create the web-based PHP/MySQL CRUD
system:
• Programming Language: The core functionality of the system is implemented using PHP
for server-side scripting and HTML for the structure of the web pages, in addition to CSS
files for adding a catchy look and feel to enhance the user experience. This combination
allows for dynamic content creation and user interaction.
• Styling Framework: To enhance the visual appearance of the application, I used Tailwind
CSS, a utility-first CSS framework. Tailwind allows for fast and responsive design without
extensive custom styles.
• Database Management System: The application uses MySQL as its database management
system, providing a robust platform for storing and retrieving data.
• Integrated Development Environment (IDE): For coding and development, I used Visual
Studio Code. This IDE provides a user-friendly interface and supports various extensions to
enhance coding productivity and efficiency.
• Local server environment: Development is done on a local server using XAMPP, which
provides an easy-to-use package that includes Apache, MySQL and PHP, making it suitable
for local application testing.

3.2 Configuration of the Development Environment

This is how the development environment is configured:
• Operating System: Windows, which is compatible with XAMPP and supports all required
tools and technologies, was used for the development.
• XAMPP Configuration: I can execute PHP programs and easily manage MySQL
databases thanks to XAMPP, which acts as the local server environment. In order to
facilitate testing and simple access, I set up XAMPP to host my application on localhost.
• MySQL Database Setup: To store application data, I created a MySQL database inside
XAMPP. Creating the required tables for users, questions, and modules in accordance with
the project's functional needs was part of this.

• Deployment Procedure: Before transferring to a live server, the application is tested locally
on XAMPP to make sure all features perform as intended. This method enables effective
iteration and debugging.
• Development Workflow: I usually use Visual Studio Code to write PHP and HTML code,
test the application on XAMPP's local server, then use phpMyAdmin, which comes with
XAMPP, to manage the MySQL database. Although this configuration does not specifically
address version control, it is advised to use a solution such as Git to improve codebase
management for the project.

Using these resources and approaches, my goal was to develop a useful and effective system
that satisfies the requirements of students who need help with their assignments. The
application's scalability and future improvements are made possible via the iterative
development process.
 IV. USER REQUIREMENTS
4.1 Requirements
The goal of the web-based platform is to improve student cooperation and learning.
Students will be able to pose questions, exchange information, and ask for peer assistance in a
convenient online environment thanks to this technology. It will provide tools that let students
modify and manage their questions, arrange the information according to modules, and use a
contact form to get in touch with administrators. The system seeks to provide an engaging and
encouraging learning environment that is customized to meet the needs of every student by
combining user and module management features.

4.2 User Requirements

Requirement Description
Users have the ability to create, edit, and delete their own posts,
and view the list of questions from all other users, promoting
An Interactive Educational active participation and content management. The platform will
Setting support interactive features such as Show photos and add
modules to increase engagement.
Content will be categorized according to predefined modules or
topics to streamline navigation and relevance. Features will include
Management of Content filtering and search to help users find posts or information quickly

and scientifically
The platform will allow embedding images, screenshots, or
uploads from devices and other types of media in posts. Diverse

Support from the Media text formatting options, such as bolding the question heading
section and displaying list details, will be available to improve
clarity and present posts.
Every user will have a customized profile where they may edit
details like their username, email address, location, place of
Management of User employment, and home address. Users can also update their
Profiles profile details on a regular basis. The goal of this feature is to
make the user experience more interesting and individualized.
 Various user roles, including: guest, user, admin will be
implemented with specific permissions to participate in viewing
Permissions depending and managing content and users. This will ensure control of
on roles individual user access rights and appropriate content information
moderation capabilities.
The platform will include a request submission form or other forms
so that users can contact the administrator with questions, feedback,

Communication and or problems. In addition, a system that stores the history of requests

Support or questions to administrators will facilitate real-time that users and

administrators can clearly understand for easy communication and
support
A tick notification system as a new window (it's like the
messagebox in python) will be integrated to notify users of
Notification System updates about posts, moderator feedback, and user-related
activities
Administrators will have tools to moderate the content of posts
such as viewing or deleting posts of all users, managing and
Administrative and responding to user requests or reports to maintain a scientific
Security Features and safe work handling environment in addition to showing
respect to users
The platform, which is more suited for computing devices, will
Accessibility and User have a responsive design that adjusts to a range of gadgets,
Experience including laptops, desktops, tablets, and smartphones.

Scalability and
Future features and more user activity will be supported by the
Upcoming
design's scalability, which will improve user experience.
Improvements
4.3 Use Case Diagram
Actors: Student, admin, users
Use Cases:

o Login:

▪ Actors: User, Admin

▪ Description: Authenticate users using their login credentials (email and password) and
direct them to the appropriate page based on their role.
o Register:

▪ Actors: Guest, Student

▪ Description: If a student or guest (who may or may not be a student) does not have an
account, they can register by filling in registration details such as username, email,
password, and confirming the password. After completing registration, they are
redirected to the login page to proceed.

o Navigation at Home:
o Actors: Admin and Students

o Description: Provide alternatives for navigating according to the role of the user::

▪ Student: Go to the student page that is particular to the individual..

▪ Admin: Go to the page that is particular to the admin..

o Question Page:
▪ Add question:

▪ Actors: Student
▪ Description: enables pupils to propose fresh inquiries, such as a title,
content, selecting modules, and attaching detailed images if needed.

▪ List Questions:

▪ Actors: Student, Admin, Guest

▪ Description:
➢ For Students:

▪ Two buttons: one to view all their own questions and one
to view questions submitted by other students.
▪ Students can edit their own questions, including
modifying content, changing modules, adding or
removing images, or deleting the question.
 ➢ For Guests:

▪ Guests can view questions but cannot edit them.

➢ For Admins:

▪ Admins can delete one, several, or all questions submitted

by any student.

o Admin Area:

o User Management:

▪ List Users:

▪ Actors: Admin

▪ Description: Displays a list of all registered users, including username,

registered email, and registration time.

▪ Delete Users:

▪ Actors: Admin

▪ Description: Allows the admin to delete one, several, or all accounts

from the user list.

o Module Management:

▪ List Of Modules:

▪ Actors: Admin

▪ Description: Shows a list of every module along with a description..

▪ Add or Edit Modules:

▪ Actors: Admin
▪ Description: Allows the admin to add, edit, or delete module names and
descriptions.

o Contact Form:
▪ Actors: Student

▪ Description: Allows students to submit a report form to the system admin. The
admin receives the report immediately after submission.
V. DESIGN
5.1 Design of Database Schemas

Figure 1:Database Schema Design

The posting website system's database structure is made to effectively handle and
incorporate important data components, store form information and user submitted data, etc. It
consists of 5 main tables namely "users, request_to_admin, questions, modules, admin" where
each table serves a separate function

• The module table manages information about academic modules, subjects and other
specializations. It includes an ID for distinct identification, a name for the module, and a
description for more information on the module. By ensuring that every module is uniquely
recognized and documented, this table makes it easier to organize and retrieve posts
pertaining to the module.

• Account information for system users is kept in the user table. Along with other
information to update the student profile page, such as address, about, company, and the
time the user performed actions on the site, it also contains an ID for unique identification,
a username that must be unique for each user, a password for secure authentication, and a
role to distinguish between "admin" and "student." In order to manage user accounts and
their tasks inside the system, this table is essential.
 • Student-submitted postings or questions are handled via the questions table. Every post has
an ID, a title, a body, and an optional picture for visual aids. Each post is linked to its
creator by the user_id, and to a particular academic module by the module_id. The post's
lifespan is tracked by the creation and update timestamp (created_at). This table is
necessary for connecting to modules and managing user-generated material.

• request_to_admin table to process reports or requests that students send to the

administrator. It has id, question (this is the content to fill in the question or report), and
each report will have a user_id associated with it and asked_at to manage and arrange the
reports in a scientific order. There is also admin_answer to link with the information that
the administrator sends the answer form to the student who writes that report.

• The system's administrator table (admin) contains comprehensive data on the administrator's
account. It contains a password for secure authentication, an administrator name
(admin_name), which needs to be distinct for every administrator, an ID for unique
identification, and a role to distinguish between "administrator" and "student." Information
on the responses that the administrator provided to the pupils is also available (answer).

In summary, this architecture guarantees effective data management and supports the
fundamental features of the question forum system by precisely defining the responsibilities and
connections of each table.

5.2 System Architecture Overview

Project Name: Question Forum

5.2.1 Overview
The question forum system is an online tool created to let students ask and handle questions
about assignments. It offers administrative control, question management, and user
authentication. The system is set up with many parts that communicate with one another via a
clear architecture.
5.2.2. Architectural elements
5.2.2.1 Client-Side:
Technologies at the front end:

• HTML/CSS: Used to structure and style the web pages.

• Tailwind CSS: Utilized for responsive, modern, and elegant design.
• JavaScript: (Optional) For enhancing user interactions and adding dynamic elements.

5.2.2.2 Server-Side:
Technologies at the backend:

• PHP: Used for server-side scripting and handling business logic.

• PDO (PHP Data Objects): Offers a standardized interface for interacting with databases..

5.2.2.3 Database:
The database employs a relational structure, leveraging MySQL to manage data efficiently.
The design follows normalization principles to reduce redundancy and enhance data integrity.
Referential integrity between tables is enforced using foreign keys, ensuring that operations such
as deletions in one table do not lead to orphaned records in another. A report by the MySQL
Documentation team (2023) underscores the importance of structuring databases with future
scalability in mind, an approach adopted in this project to accommodate potential feature
expansions such as analytics and search functionalities.

Database Structure:

• MySQL: Holds application information like as users, questions, modules, admin,

request_to_admin.

Tables in databases:

• Users: Maintains user information, including hashed passwords, email addresses, and
usernames.
• Questions: Responds to user inquiries about metadata, title, content, and related photos.
• Modules: Includes details on several assignment modules.
• Admin: Contains information about administrator accounts, responses
• Request_to_admin: Contains report content or requests sent from students
5.2.2.4 Organization of Files:
• /includes: Includes necessary PHP files for database operations and connections..
o DatabaseConnection.php: Gives instructions on how to connect to the MySQL
database.
o DatabaseFunction.php: Includes database-related features like post management
and user data retrieval.

• /templates: Contains html.php files that display the interface for the entire student (user) and
admin system and also the interface when visitors access it.
o add_module.html.php: The interface adds a new module with a form for entering
names, descriptions, and error handling.
o add_question.html.php: The interface adds questions with a form to enter a title,
content, select a module, upload a photo and process a successful notification.
o admin_layout.html.php: Admin interface with sidebar manages questions, requests,
students, modules, and displays key content from $output variables.
o admin_list_question.html.php: The interface displays a list of questions with titles,
contents, images, related modules, questioner information, and a button to delete
questions with confirmation.
o admin_login.html.php: Log in form for admins with fields to enter email, password,
and display an error message if applicable.
o admin_register.html.php: The form registers an administrator account with fields to
enter name, email, password, confirm password and check password in the correct
format.
o answer_request.html.php: Interface for administrators to respond to requests with a
form that displays questions and enters answers.
o edit_module.html.php: Module information editing interface with name,
description, and update button fields.
o edit_question.html.php: a form interface for editing a question, allowing the user to
update the title, body, select a module, upload an image, and optionally delete the
current image.
o home.html.php: This is a heading element displaying the text "Welcome to the
question forum," likely serving as an introduction to a forum page where users can
post and answer questions.
o layout.html.php: A webpage layout for a guest user, featuring a sidebar with
navigation links to the home page, list of questions, student login, and admin login,
along with dynamic content output and a footer displaying the current year.
o list_module.html.php: A page displaying a list of all modules, showing the module
name and description, with a message if no modules are found.
o list_request.html.php: A page displaying a list of requests with options to view,
answer, or delete each question, along with error handling and a message if no
questions have been asked.
o login.html.php: A login form where users can enter their email and password, with
error handling and a link to the registration page for new users.
o manage_module.html.php: A page displaying a list of all modules with options to
add, edit, or delete modules, along with a message if no modules are found.
o manage_user.html.php: A page displaying a list of users (students) with their name,
email, and account creation date, along with an option to delete a user. If no users are
found, a message is shown.
o my_questions.html.php: Displays a list of a user's questions with search
functionality and options to edit or delete their own questions.
o profile.html.php: Allows users to view and update their profile information, such as
email, full name, address, and company.
o public_list_questions.html.php: Displays a list of questions with details such as
title, body, image, module, author, and creation time.
o register.html.php: This file contains a registration form with validation for
username, email, password, and password confirmation, displaying error messages
for invalid inputs.
o request_to_admin.html.php: This file allows users to submit requests to the admin
and view their previous requests and responses.
o user_layout.html.php: This file defines the layout for a user dashboard, including
navigation links for various user functionalities such as viewing questions, adding
new questions, sending requests to the admin, and managing the user's profile.
o user_list_questions.html.php: This file displays a list of questions with an option to
search for specific questions, and allows users to edit or delete their own questions. It
also shows a success message if applicable.
• /uploads: This is the folder where the images added to the question are stored and updated
by the user.

• /user: Contains php files that display commands and queries, and handle functions for the
student (user) page.
o add_question.php: Handles user submission for adding a new question, including
optional image upload, and saves the data to the database.
o delete_comment.php: Allows a user to delete their own comment, verifying the
comment's ownership before performing the deletion.
o delete_question.php: Deletes a question and its associated image (if it exists),
ensuring that the user is authorized to perform the deletion before proceeding.
o edit_question.php: The script allows logged-in users to edit their question, including
title, body, module, and image. It handles image uploads and deletions, then redirects
to the question list after successful update.
o home.php: The script checks if the user is logged in and assigns a default "Guest"
username if not. It then loads the homepage template.
o list_questions.php: The script displays a list of questions with an optional search
filter. It fetches data from the database and shows success messages if available.
o module.php: The script retrieves and displays a list of modules from the database for
logged-in users. If no modules are found, it shows an empty list.
o my_questions.php: This script retrieves and displays questions created by the
logged-in user. If an error occurs, it shows an error message.
o profile.php: After updating the logged-in user's profile, this script displays a success
message and reroutes to the profile page.
o request_to_admin.php: This script allows logged-in users to submit questions to the
admin and view their previous questions.

• /admin: Contains php files that display commands and queries, handle functions for the
admin page
o add_module.php: This script allows adding a new module to the database through a
form. Upon submission, it inserts the module and redirects to the module list.
 o admin_home.php: This script sets a default username for the session if not logged in,
and then displays the home page using the `home.html.php` template within the admin
layout.
o answer_request.php: This script allows admins to answer user-submitted questions
and updates the response in the database.
o delete_module.php: Using the module's ID supplied by the URL, this script removes it
from the database.
o delete_question.php: Using the ID supplied by the URL, this script removes a
question from the database before rerouting to the question list.
o delete_request.php: Using the `id` supplied in the URL, the script deletes a request
from the database and reroutes to the request list page.
o delete_user.php: This script deletes a user by ID from the database and redirects to the
user management page, or shows an error message if something goes wrong.
o edit_module.php: The script allows an admin to edit a module's name and description,
and updates the module in the database upon submission.
o list_questions.php: The script retrieves all questions from the database, with an
optional search feature based on title, body, or module, and displays them in the admin
panel.
o list_request.php: This script retrieves and displays all user-submitted questions from
the `request_to_admin` table, ordered by the most recent, in the admin panel.
o manage_user.php: This script retrieves all user records from the `users` table, ordered
by creation date, and displays them in the admin panel for user management.
o module.php: This script fetches and displays all modules from the database for admin
management. If an error occurs, it shows an error message.

• Public:
o admin_login.php: Admin login is handled by this script. If successful, it launches a
session after comparing the supplied email address and password with the database. If
the credentials are incorrect, it shows an error message.
o adminstyle.css: This code styles a webpage with a sidebar and content area. The
sidebar has a fixed position with a hover effect on links, and the content area is
responsive to different screen sizes.
 o index.php: This file includes the `public_home.php` file, likely to display the main
public-facing page of the website.
o login.php: This PHP file handles the login functionality: it validates user credentials
from the database, starts a session if the credentials are correct, or returns an error if
they are invalid.
o logout.php: This PHP file handles the logout functionality: it ends the current user
session by destroying it and redirects the user to the public home page.
o public_home.php: This PHP file manages the homepage functionality: it initializes a
session, sets a default username as 'Guest' if no user is logged in, and dynamically
loads the homepage content using templates.
o public_list_questions.php: This PHP file retrieves and displays a list of questions
from the database, with optional search functionality, and handles errors gracefully.
o register.php: This PHP file handles user registration by validating input, checking for
duplicates, hashing passwords, and storing user data in the database, with error
handling included.
o style.css: This CSS defines a clean, responsive design with styles for layout, sidebar,
content, forms, and footer, emphasizing modern aesthetics and usability.

5.2.3 Scalability and Maintenance

Authentication of Users:

• To input their credentials, users go to either the administrator login page

(admin_login.php) or the student login page (login.php).

• PHP and PDO are used to validate the login credentials. Users are sent to the relevant
dashboard upon successful login. Students are redirected to “user/home.php,” while
administrators are redirected to “admin/admin_home.php.”

Question Management:

• Users can add new questions with details such as title, content, select modules, and
optionally upload images through “Add_question.php.”

• Two pages are used to handle and show the questions: “list_question.php” (which shows
all questions from all students in the forum) and “my_questions.php” (which shows all
questions from the logged-in student).
 • Only the question owner can edit or delete their question and cannot edit questions from
other students.

Admin Functions:

• Administrators can manage users by viewing their information, deleting users, and
adding, editing, or deleting modules.

• The “manage_user.php” page provides options to view the list of users and delete users
from the list.

• "Module.php" and associated files conduct administrative tasks.

Database Communication:

• PHP programs use PDO functions to communicate with the MySQL database.
• The database connection is created using the "DatabaseConnection.php" file.
• Data management and querying capabilities are included in the "DatabaseFunction.php"
file.

5.2.4 Aspects of Security

• Input validation: To stop SQL injection and other threats, make sure user input is
correctly verified.
• Password Hashing: Use hashed values to safely store passwords.
• Session management: Manage user sessions to guarantee appropriate data security and
access control.

5.2.5 Maintainability and Scalability

• Modular Design: The system's design facilitates growth and maintenance by being
modular.
• Responsive Design: Make sure the application works effectively across a range of
devices by using Tailwind CSS.

With an emphasis on components, processes, and important security and maintenance issues,
this overview offers a high-level knowledge of the Question Forum system's design.
5.3 Design of User Interfaces
The interface design prioritizes simplicity and clarity, following the principles outlined by
Krug (2014) in his seminal work on usability, Don’t Make Me Think. The home page presents a
clean layout with a list of questions displayed in reverse chronological order, ensuring that the
most recent queries are easily accessible.

Navigation is structured to provide an intuitive user journey. Users can seamlessly transition
between viewing questions, posting new content, and managing their profiles through a
persistent navigation bar. The contact page, designed for student-administrator communication,
incorporates form validation to minimize errors during submission.

To ensure cross-device compatibility, the front end is built using Bootstrap, a widely adopted
CSS framework known for its responsive grid system (Bootstrap Documentation, 2023).

Figure 2: Guest Page

When you first access the website, this is the first page that users will see, the page for
others, it is a simple interface including the page name “GUEST” and the welcome sentence
when accessing “Welcome to the question forum” – the functions that guests can access are to
view the list of all questions of all students but are limited in editing rights. There are 2 more
login sections for students and administrators for users to enter login information
 Figure 3: Page that displays a list of questions for guest

Above is the page that displays the list of questions that visitors can see, this page includes
the page name "List question" displayed prominently at the top and then the list of questions
including "title, body or content" and displays the image of the question if any. In addition, it
also displays module information, time of posting the question and the owner of the question.
For this page, visitors only have the right to view and cannot perform operations to edit question
information.

Figure 4: Student Login Page

Above is the login page for students. The interface of the page is similar to other pages
including the title "login" displayed prominently at the top, below is the email text and Password
for users to enter information. After clicking the Login button, the student's home page will be
displayed if the account is accurate; if not, an error notice will show and the user will be
prompted to input the data again. In case the user does not have an account, click on the blue text
"Register here" to create a new account.

Figure 5: Admin login page

Above is the login page for administrators. The interface of the page is similar to the login
page for students, including the title "login" displayed prominently above, below is the email text
and Password for users to enter information. If the account is accurate after clicking the Login
button, the user will be sent to the administrator's home page; if not, an error notice will show
and they will be prompted to input their information again.

Figure 6: New account registration page

 Above is the page for users to register for a new account. This page includes the title "Register"
displayed prominently on the screen and below are the bars for users to enter information such as
Username, Email, Password, Confin Password. Users will enter information to ensure that it meets
the requirements of the website. If the requirements are met, it will be transferred to the login page
for users to start logging in. If the requirements are not met, it will notify the user of the error they
made and notify them to re-enter until the information meets the requirements.

Figure 7: Home page for users

Above is the home page for users when they successfully log in. It is similar to other home
pages including the page name "User" displayed in large blue letters at the top left and the
welcome title "Welcome to the question forum"
 Figure 8: Forum question list page

Above is the page that displays a list of all questions posted by all students on the forum.
This page includes the title "List Questions" displayed at the top. Next is the question search
toolbar and below is a list of questions including information such as title, body, module, poster,
posting time and if there is an image it will also be displayed in each question. On this page,
users do not have the right to edit information or delete questions of other users, but if it is a
question of that user, they can perform the editing or deleting operation.

Figure 9: User question list page

Above is the page that displays a list of all the questions of that user, it also includes the same
information fields as image number 8. and on this page the user can edit the information or delete
one or more questions because all the questions in this list are from that user.
 Figure 10: New question addition page

Above is the question addition page. This page displays the title "Add Questions" on the
top and below are the boxes for entering the information of the question that the user wants to
add, including title, content, select module and add image if desired. The question will be
instantly added to the list when the user fills out all the fields and clicks the submit button. If the
information boxes are not filled in, an error will be displayed and a notification will be displayed
that the information has been entered completely.

Figure 11: Admin request page

Above is the page to send questions or requests to the administrator. The interface of the
page displays the title "Requeust or Ask To Admin" on the top and below is the box to enter the
request information to the administrator. When you click the Submit button, the request will be
sent directly to the administrator. Below is a list of the history of requests that students have sent,
if the administrator responds, it will be displayed here.

Figure 12: User personal information overflow

Above is the page displaying user information. This page includes the title "Profle"
displayed at the top and below are user information boxes such as Username, Email, Full Name,
Address, About, Company. In which the Username and Email information is displayed directly
because it takes information when you have registered a new account through the database
storage system and with the remaining boxes, you will fill in yourself. The information on the
user can be changed and updated regularly.
 Figure 13: Modules information display page

Above is the page that displays all the list of modules including the title "All Modules"
displayed prominently at the top and below is the list of modules and information, concepts of
each module.

Figure 14: Administrator home page

This is the admin home page if they log in successfully. The interface is similar to the other
pages so I won't say more to avoid repeating too much duplicate information.

Figure 15: Page displaying list of questions

 This is the page that displays the list of questions of all users. For this page, the
administrator can see all information such as title, content, module, poster, posting time. The
administrator can delete all questions in this page.

Figure 16: Page displaying list of student requests

Above is the page that displays the list of requests sent from all students. The current interface
displays the title "List request" and below is the list of student requests and the administrator can
reply or delete one or all of the requests displayed in this list.

Figure 17: Student account management page

 The system's user accounts may be managed using the User Manager page. It offers the
ability to see and remove users from the list. With a simple layout that facilitates effective user
administration, the website is designed to be user-friendly. For a contemporary and responsive
design, Tailwind CSS is utilized.

Figure 18: Management page for modules

Tools for managing the system's modules are available on the Module Manager page. It
enables the administrator to see the modules that are currently in use as well as the conceptual
details of each module. It is within the administrator's power to add, amend, and remove
descriptive information. Tailwind CSS guarantees a constant and eye-catching appearance across
devices, and the design is straightforward and easy to use.
VI. THE IMPLEMENTATION
6.1 Includes folder

Figure 19: DatabaseConnection.php

The PHP code fragment connects to a MySQL database named database1841 using PDO
with the server set to localhost, username root, and an empty password. The utf8mb4 charset
ensures support for various characters, while PDO provides features like prepared statements and
error handling, allowing the program to perform dependable and safe SQL operations.

Figure 20: DatabaseFunction.php

Defines functions manager questions, modules, and user profiles in a database using PDO. It
includes functionalities like retrieving all questions (getAllQuestions), fetching user-specific
questions (getMyQuestions), adding (addQuestion), updating (updateQuestion), and deleting
(deleteQuestion) questions with validation for module existence and user authorization.
Additionally, it provides addModule to add new modules, and user-related functions such as
updateUserProfile and getUserById to modify or fetch user details. All operations utilize
prepared statements for security and include error handling to ensure reliable database
interactions

6.2 Admin Folder

Figure 21: add_module

This PHP script handles adding new modules to a database using a POST request. If the
form is submitted, it retrieves the module_name and module_description from the POST data,
and inserts them into the modules table using a prepared statement for security. The user is sent
to the module list page (module.php) upon successful insertion. If required fields are missing or
an error occurs, it shows an error page with a relevant message. For GET requests, the script
displays a form to add a module using the add_module.html.php template. The layout is
wrapped with user_layout.html.php for consistent styling.
 Figure 22: admin_home.php
This PHP script initializes a session and ensures a username session variable is set. If
username is not already defined, it defaults to "Guest." The script sets a page title (Home), uses
output buffering to include the home.html.php template, and stores the output in the $output
variable. Finally, the content is wrapped with the admin_layout.html.php template for
consistent layout and display.

Figure 23: answer_request.php

 This PHP script handles an admin's response to a user request (request_to_admin). It
fetches the question by its ID (id) from the database and allows the admin to submit an answer
through a form. If the request method is POST, it updates the request_to_admin table with the
provided answer or displays an error if required fields are missing. Output buffering is used to
render the answer_request.html.php template, and the final content is displayed using
admin_layout.html.php.

Figure 24: delete_module.php

Using the supplied id in the query string, this PHP script removes a module from the
database. It connects to the database, prepares a DELETE SQL statement with the module ID as
a parameter, and executes the deletion using PDO. If successful, the script redirects to the
module.php page; otherwise, it captures and stores any error encountered during execution. If no
id is provided, it simply redirects to module.php.
 Figure 25: delete_question.php

This PHP script deletes a question from the database by its id, which is passed via the query
string. It starts a session, employs a prepared DELETE SQL query and establishes a connection
to the database with id parameter to execute the deletion securely. If successful, it redirects to the
list_questions.php page. In case of an error, it sets an error message and includes the
admin_layout.html.php template to show the error.
 Figure 26: delete_request.php
Using the id supplied in the URL, this PHP script removes a particular request from the
request_to_admin database. It creates a database connection and launches a session. It prepares
and runs a DELETE SQL query to delete the request from the database if the id is valid (higher
than ,0) Afterward, it redirects to the list_request.php page. If an error occurs, it catches the
exception and displays an error message using the admin_layout.html.php template.
 Figure 27: delete_user.php

This PHP script deletes a user from the users table based on the id passed in the URL. It
starts a session and includes the database connection. The script retrieves the user ID, ensures it's
an integer, and prepares a DELETE SQL query to remove the corresponding record from the
database. After the deletion, it redirects to the manage_user.php page (which lists users). If an
error occurs during execution, it catches the exception and displays an error message using the
admin_layout.html.php template.
 Figure 28: edit_module.php

This PHP script allows an admin to edit module details. By confirming the session, it
determines whether the administrator is logged in. The script retrieves the current module data if
the id is supplied in the URL, then allows the admin to update the module name and description.
Upon successful submission, it updates the database and redirects to the module list page. If the
module name is empty or the update fails, an error is displayed. The script uses prepared
statements for database queries and renders the edit_module.html.php template for the admin
interface.
 Figure 29: list_questions.php:
This PHP script handles searching and displaying questions for an admin. It starts by
checking if a search query (search) is provided in the URL. If a search term is present, it
appends a WHERE clause to filter questions based on the title, body, or module. The script uses
prepared statements to prevent SQL injection. If a search is conducted, the LIKE operator
matches any questions containing the search term. After executing the query, it fetches all
matching results and stores them in an array. The results are then displayed using the
admin_list_question.html.php template, which is included in the admin layout.
 Figure 30: list_request.php

A list of queries that users have sent to the administrator is retrieved and shown by this PHP
script. First, a session is created and the required database connection file is included. After that,
a SQL query is prepared and run to retrieve every entry from the request_to_admin table,
ordered by the asked_at timestamp in descending order. If the query is successful, the results are
stored in the $questions array. If there's an error, it catches the exception and stores an error
message. Finally, the script prepares the page by including the list_request.html.php template to
display the results within the admin layout.
 Figure 31: manage_user.php
A list of every user is retrieved and shown by this PHP script from the database. First, the
database connection file is included and a session is established. After that, it tries to run a query
to pick every user from the users table and arrange them in decreasing order by the created_at
date. The results are stored in the $users array. If an error occurs during this process, the
exception is caught, and an error message is displayed within the admin_layout.html.php
template. If the query is successful, the script prepares the page and includes the
manage_user.html.php template to show the user data within the admin layout.
 Figure 32: module.php

A list of every module is the database and shown in the admin panel using this PHP script.
Initializing a session and adding the required function files and database connection are the first
steps. The script then queries the modules table to fetch all the modules. If modules are found,
they are stored in the $modules array; if none are found, an empty array is assigned. The script
prepares the manage_module.html.php template to display the module list and stores the output
in the $output variable. An error message is shown if there is a problem with the process. Lastly,
the admin_layout.html.php template for the admin view contains the content.
6.3 User Folder

Figure 33: add_question.php

This PHP script allows authenticated users to submit a new question. It checks for required
fields (question_title, question_body, question_module), handles optional image uploads, and
inserts the question into the database. If successful, the user is redirected with a success message,
otherwise, an error is shown. If the request is a GET, available modules are fetched for the form.
 Figure 34: delete_comment.php

This PHP script allows a logged-in user to delete their comment. It checks if the user is
logged in and if they own the comment by verifying with the database. If valid, the comment is
deleted, and the user is redirected to list_question.php. If the user does not own the comment, an
error message is shown. If no comment_id is provided, It takes the user to list_question.php.
 Figure 35: delete_question.php

Logged-in user to delete their question along with its associated image (if it exists). The
script checks if the user owns the question by verifying the user_id and question_id in the
database. If an image is linked to the question, it is deleted from the server before the question
itself is deleted. After the deletion, It takes the user to list_questions.php. An error notice
appears if there is a problem..
 Figure 36: edit_question.php

This PHP script allows a logged-in user to edit a question. It handles POST requests to
update the question's title, body, and image. If an image is uploaded, it’s saved to the server. The
current image will be deleted if the user wishes to do so. After updating the question, the script
redirects the user to the question list page. If the request is GET, it fetches the current question
data to display in the edit form. Errors are shown if the user has no permission or if there are
issues with the update.
 Figure 37: home.php

This PHP script checks if a session for the user is active. If not, it sets a default session value
of 'Guest' for the username. The script then sets the title to 'Home', retrieves the content from
home.html.php into an output buffer, and includes the user_layout.html.php template, which
will display the page with the appropriate layout for the user.

Figure 38: list_questions.php

 This script retrieves and displays a list of questions with an optional search filter. It starts a
session, retrieves a success message (if available), and constructs an SQL query to fetch
questions along with their associated module names and usernames. If a search parameter is
provided, the query filters questions by title, body, or module name using a prepared statement.
The results are displayed using a template (user_list_questions.html.php), with the page
structured by user_layout.html.php. In case of errors, an exception is caught, and the error
message is shown.

Figure 39: module.php

This script retrieves a list of modules from the database for authenticated users. It searches
the modules database, initiates a session, and verifies that the user is logged in. If modules are
found, they are fetched; otherwise, an empty array is returned. The results are displayed using the
list_module.html.php template within the user_layout.html.php structure. If an error occurs, it
is caught and displayed as a sanitized message.
 Figure 40: my_questions.php
This script displays a logged-in user's questions by starting a session, verifying authentication,
and fetching questions associated with the user's ID using the getMyQuestions function. The
retrieved questions are displayed using the my_questions.html.php template, embedded within the
user_layout.html.php. Errors are caught and presented in a user-friendly format.
 Figure 41: profile.php

This script handles a user's profile update by starting a session, verifying the user is logged
in, and processing POST data to update their profile using updateUserProfile. It fetches the
current user's data with getUserById, displays it via the profile.html.php template, and saves
changes back to the database. After successful updates, it refreshes the session data, shows a
success message, and redirects to the profile page.
 Figure 42: request_to_admin.php
This script manages user interaction with an admin question system. It starts a session,
ensures the user is authenticated, and processes submitted questions via a POST request to insert
them into the request_to_admin table. It retrieves the user's previous questions, ordered by
asked_at, and displays them using the request_to_admin.html.php template. In case of
database errors, it captures and displays appropriate error messages. Finally, the page layout is
rendered with user_layout.html.php.
6.4 public files

Figure 43: admin_login.php

This script handles admin login by verifying credentials via a POST request; it queries the
database for a matching email and compares the plain-text password. On success, admin details
are stored in the session, redirecting to admin_home.php; otherwise, an error is displayed. Note:
Use secure password hashing methods instead of plain-text storage.
 Figure 44: adminstyle.css
This CSS defines a visually appealing layout with a fixed-width sidebar for navigation and a
responsive content area. The sidebar has a dark theme, rounded links that change color on hover,
and a distinctive blue header for emphasis. The content area is clean, centrally styled, with
rounded corners and a subtle shadow. Responsive design ensures the layout adapts seamlessly for
smaller screens by making the sidebar full-width and removing its fixed position. Footer styling
complements the sidebar, maintaining consistency.
 Figure 45: index.php

This PHP script includes the content of public_home.php into the current file. It acts as a
simple entry point or dispatcher, likely pulling in the main layout or content for a public-facing
home page.

Figure 46: login.php

User login is handled by this PHP script. It establishes a session, establishes a connection
with the database, and handles the POST-submitted login form. Using the supplied email, it pulls
the user's login information from the database. Next, password_verify() is used to confirm the
password. It saves the user's ID and username in the session and reroutes to the user home page
if the credentials are legitimate. An error notice appears if the credentials are not right. Lastly, it
loads the site layout and the template for the login page.
 Figure 47: logout.php

This PHP script is used for logging out a user. It starts by calling session_start() to access
the current session. Then, it calls session_destroy() to end the session, essentially terminating
the user's session. The header() method is used to redirect the user to the public_home.php
page when the session has been terminated. The user is guaranteed to be logged out and taken to
the public home page using this script.

Figure 48: public_home.php

This PHP script starts a session, sets a default 'Guest' username if not already set, and loads
the home page content using the home.html.php template, which is wrapped in a main layout.
 Figure 49: public_list_questions.php

The PHP script starts a session, includes the database connection, and attempts to fetch all
questions from the database (with an optional search filter). It displays the results in a template
public_list_questions.html.php, wrapped in a main layout. If any error occurs, an error message
is shown.
 Figure 50: register.php
The PHP script handles user registration by verifying the submitted data. It checks if the
passwords match and if the username or email is already in use. If the validations pass, it hashes
the password and inserts the user into the database. If any error occurs (like database issues or
conflicting data), an error notice appears. The user is taken to the login page after completing the
registration process. The form and content are included in a layout template.
 Figure 51: style.css

This CSS provides a clean, modern layout with a fixed sidebar, content area, and form
styles. It uses a gradient background for the body, with a fixed sidebar featuring white text and
hover effects on links. The content section is styled with padding, a box-shadow, and rounded
corners. Forms are designed with spacious inputs and a blue submit button that changes color on
hover. The footer has a matching background and centered text. The overall design ensures
readability and a consistent, responsive user interface.
VII. DISCUSSION ABOUT GDPR
The system adheres to WCAG 2.1 accessibility standards, integrating features like keyboard
navigation, high-contrast schemes, and descriptive alt texts to ensure inclusivity. The growing
demand for accessible educational technologies, highlighted by a 2022 The Guardian article,
emphasizes the need for compliance. Regarding data protection, the system follows GDPR by
encrypting sensitive data and offering users control over their information, in line with the "right
to be forgotten." The ICO (2023) stresses the importance of transparency in data usage, which
the system addresses with clear privacy policies.

Gathering and Using Data

• Limitation of Purpose: Only gather information for the management of student

communications, postings, and profiles.
• Transparency: Provide students with a clear privacy policy that explains how their data
will be handled and preserved.

Rights of Users

• Right of Access: Permit pupils to see their personal information.

• Right to Rectification: Give students the opportunity to rectify inaccurate information
in their records.
• Right to Erasure: Give students the choice to remove their data and accounts.
• Right to Restrict Processing: Provide choices for limiting the processing of personal
data.
• Right to Data Portability: Give students access to their data in a manner that they can
carry with them.
• Right to Object: Under some circumstances, honor students' objections to data
processing.

Security of Data

• Data Protection: To safeguard personal information, use encryption and secure

storage.
• Regular Reviews: To guard against breaches, do security assessments.

Storage and Management of Data

• Data Minimization: Only gather the information required to run the system.
 • Retention Policies: Establish and implement guidelines to prevent retaining data for
longer than necessary.

Accountability and Conformity

• Privacy Notices: Clearly explain how data is collected and used.

• Data Protection Officer (DPO): To ensure compliance, think about designating a DPO.
• Documentation: To prove compliance with GDPR, keep track of all data processing
operations.

The solution will guarantee compliance and successfully preserve user privacy by
incorporating these GDPR principles.

The system’s back end is built using PHP PDO, chosen for its secure and efficient interaction
with the MySQL database (PHP.net, 2023). Unlike the procedural MySQLi, PDO provides
robust support for prepared statements, mitigating risks associated with SQL injection attacks.

HTML5 and CSS3 form the backbone of the front-end design, enhanced by Bootstrap for
consistency and ease of customization. JavaScript is employed for client-side validation,
ensuring a smoother user experience by catching errors before submission.

VIII. TESTTING
Unit tests for individual components and integration tests for end-to-end processes were
among the testing approaches used. Manual testing was also conducted to evaluate usability, a
critical metric highlighted in Duckett (2014).

No. Function Description Desired Outcome Actual Outcome Image

A welcome
Verify the user's Successful .If the
message appears
Login login using the outcome matches.
1 on the home page
Student appropriate Otherwise: "Invalid
when the user is
credentials. email or password"
routed.
 A welcome
If the results match, the
Verify the admin message appears on
Login for test is successful.
2 login using the the home page
Admin "Invalid email or
right information. when the user is
password" else.
routed.

Include a new The question has

Add new query with
3 been added Pass
Question accurate
successfully.
information.

In the List The question is no

Delete a
4 Question Question, select longer there after Pass
"Delete". deletion.

Go to Manage Successfully
Edit of If the results match, the
5 Modules and correct the module
Module test is successful.
select "Edit." and description

Test successfully,
Delete Click “Delete” in Delete a user
6 return student list page,
students Manage Student successfully
update the list again

Click “Answer” in
Answer list massage. Submit a successful
7 Enter answer, Test successfully
request reply
click button
“save”

Test successfully,
Delete Click “Delete” in Delete a request return to the list
8
request list massage. successfully message page and
update the list again
IX. CHALLENGES, SOLUTIONS AND RESULTS

9.1 Challenges
a) Frontend and backend integration:
• The challenge is to make sure that the backend PHP scripts and frontend HTML forms
interact efficiently, particularly when managing user input and data uploads.
• Solution: AJAX was used to facilitate data entry and retrieval, and client and server
inputs were verified to guarantee data integrity.
b) Database Schema Adjustments:
• Challenge: Adapting the database schema to the project's changing needs, including
adding new features and fixing problems like missing tables or columns.
• Solution: PDO was used for safe and effective database interactions, and database queries
and schema were updated to reflect the modifications.
c) Debugging and Error Handling:
• Managing errors like "Column not found" or improper redirection that affected the web
application's operation was a challenge.
• Solution: PHP scripts were debugged and fixed to guarantee that database operations and
redirection logic were handled correctly.
d) Usability and Design of User Interfaces:
• The challenge is to leverage Tailwind CSS to create an intuitive user experience while
keeping it looking polished and professional.
• Solution: Based on feedback, Tailwind CSS was successfully used to produce the
intended design aesthetics and enhanced usability.
e) Examining functionality:
• The challenge is making sure that every feature—such as module administration, question
management, and login—functions well and satisfies user needs.
• Solution: Detailed test cases, including edge cases and error situations, were created to
verify every functionality.
9. 2 Results
a) Successful connection: Data submission and retrieval were made possible by the
frontend and backend's smooth connection. Scripts for backend processing are now
properly connected to forms.
b) Database Schema Update: The required tables and columns were added to the database
schema. Features like adding, editing, and removing modules and questions function as
planned.
c) Better Error Handling: By implementing efficient error handling, the application's
resilience was increased and the frequency of frequent mistakes was decreased.
d) Improved User Interface: The program is now aesthetically pleasing and easy to use
after the user interface was improved to satisfy the design requirements.
e) Verified Features: Every significant feature was examined and verified. Test cases
validated that the program functions as intended and gracefully resolves failures.

9.3 Discussion
a) Frontend and Backend Integration: The integration procedure made clear how crucial
it is to provide seamless frontend and backend connectivity. Data integrity and user
experience depend on efficient error handling and validation.
b) Database Schema Modifications: The necessity of schema modifications highlighted
how crucial it is to plan database structure beforehand and be ready to make
modifications when needs change. The application's operation and stability depend on
proper schema maintenance.
c) Debugging and Error Handling: Finding and fixing faults provide important
information about typical problems encountered throughout development. Having a
strong error-handling system is essential for creating dependable online apps.
d) Usability and User Interface Design: The design process reinforced the need of
developing an interface that is both aesthetically attractive and easy to use. A significant
tool for getting the required appearance and experience while preserving design
coherence was Tailwind CSS.
e) Functionality Testing: The thorough testing methodology made sure the program
satisfies user needs and operates as planned. Delivering a high-quality product requires
routine testing and validation.
 All things considered, the project effectively overcame the difficulties encountered during
development, resulting in a functional and intuitive online application. The outcomes show how
successful the solutions were and offer a strong basis for further improvements.

9.4 Ethical Considerations

The ethical implications of data handling are at the forefront of this project. Transparency
and accountability are ensured by documenting all processes, a practice advocated in a Forbes
article by Newman (2022) on ethical software development.

X. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

10.1 Conclusion
The development of a CRUD-based web application for student interaction has highlighted
the importance of creating accessible, secure, and user-centric platforms in educational
technology. By leveraging technologies like PHP PDO and MySQL, the project has successfully
implemented functionalities for post creation, editing, deletion, and user management. These
features address the practical needs of students while maintaining compliance with data
protection regulations such as GDPR.

Moreover, the system incorporates modern design principles, emphasizing usability and
inclusivity. This aligns with best practices outlined by Krug (2014) in his discussion of effective
user experience design. The application also addresses security concerns by implementing
encrypted password storage and structured validation processes, mitigating risks such as
unauthorized data access, a frequent issue identified in educational applications (Heater, 2023).

However, the project is not without its limitations. The absence of advanced authentication
methods, such as OAuth or multi-factor authentication, poses a potential security gap.
Additionally, the current system does not provide real-time collaboration features or advanced
analytics, which are becoming increasingly essential in modern educational platforms (The
Guardian, 2022). These limitations provide avenues for future enhancements and optimization.
10.2 Recommendations
To improve the system and expand its functionality, the following recommendations are
proposed:

• Implement Advanced Authentication Mechanisms

Security can be significantly enhanced by integrating OAuth 2.0 for third-party login
options such as Google or Facebook authentication. This approach aligns with modern
security practices and user expectations (O’Reilly Media, 2023). Multi-factor authentication
should also be considered to provide an additional layer of security.

• Enhance User Experience with AI-Driven Features

Introducing artificial intelligence to the system could improve usability. For instance, an AI-
powered search and recommendation engine could assist students in finding relevant posts
or modules efficiently. Research by TechCrunch (2023) indicates that AI integration can
boost user engagement and satisfaction in educational platforms.

• Expand Accessibility Features

While the system adheres to WCAG 2.1 standards, additional accessibility tools such as
text-to-speech functionality or adjustable text sizes could further support users with
disabilities. Studies suggest that these features increase platform inclusivity significantly
(ISO, 2019).

• Integrate Real-Time Collaboration Tools

Adding real-time features such as live chat or collaborative editing could transform the
platform into a more dynamic and interactive space for students. These functionalities have
been widely adopted in modern educational platforms and are seen as critical for fostering
collaborative learning environments (BBC, 2022).

• Incorporate Analytics and Reporting

Adding an analytics dashboard could allow administrators to monitor platform usage, track
active users, and identify popular modules. Analytics tools can assist improve the system by
offering insightful information about user behavior (MySQL Documentation, 2023).

• Optimize Database for Scalability

As the system grows, optimizing the database to handle increased traffic and data volume
becomes essential. Implementing indexing, partitioning, or even migrating to cloud-based
databases like Amazon RDS could improve performance and reliability (AWS
Documentation, 2023).
• Develop a Mobile Application
While the web platform is responsive, creating a dedicated mobile application could
enhance user accessibility and experience. A mobile app allows for push notifications and
offline capabilities, both of which are critical in educational contexts (Forbes, 2022).

These recommendations not only address the limitations of the current system but also align
with emerging trends in educational technology. By implementing these changes, the platform
can evolve into a comprehensive tool that fosters collaboration, improves accessibility, and
ensures data security.

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