2. Introduction &
Project Development
• Introduction to Parity to Power
• Requirements Gathering
– User Requirements
– UML Diagrams (Use Case)
– Functional Requirements
– Storyboarding
– Non Functional Requirements
• Similar Systems and Applications
• Architectural Diagram
• Feasibility
• Conclusion
• References
3. Introduction
• The primary aim of Parity to Power is to
address the “UN Millennium Goal 3”: Promote
gender equality and empower women.
• Parity to Power specifically aims to tackle
gender disparity in primary education
throughout developing countries.
4. The Problem
• In regions such as South and West Asia, the
Arab States, and sub-Saharan Africa, there
were only 80 girls (or less) starting primary
school for every 100 boys (UNESCO, 2008).
• The numbers of qualified teachers in
Mozambique have not increased at the same
pace as student enrolments. The ratio
currently stands at 61:1 (UNFPA, 2005).
5. The Problem
• The findings of a study by the Pan-African Research
Agenda (2009) found there are 812 male teachers
compared to just 367 female teachers working in
Mozambique.
• This suggests that the difference in the number of male
to female teachers potentially contributes to the
gender gap in primary education.
• Therefore, an increase in the number of female
teachers in Mozambique can potentially increase the
number of female students in primary education.
6. The Solution
• Parity to Power will provide an electronic
service where female teachers in developing
countries can link up with female teachers in
developed countries that are fully trained and
qualified.
• This service will provide a combination of
Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) and a
Virtual Learning Environment (VLE).
7. The Solution
• Through the VLE, the fully trained teacher can
share standardised education programmes,
lesson plans, assignments, training aids etc. to
support the less qualified teacher.
10. Functional Requirements
General
• Home
• About
• Register
• Terms and Conditions
• Login
• Select School
• Select Teacher
• Access Virtual Learning Environment (VLE)
11. Functional Requirements
Virtual Learning Environment (VLE)
• VideoChat
• Chat
• Mail
• Links – e.g. Assignments, Activities
• Lessons – e.g. Maths, History
• Calendar
• World Clock
• My Diary
12. Outline Diagram
Welcome View Video
Register Login Home
Enter Username
Registration Info Getting Started Schools Contact Feedback Log Out
& Password
View Facebook Feedback
Terms & Conditions Search Schools Contact Details
Video Information
Feedback
Thanks for View MSN Email system
View Schools to system
Registering Messenger Video Administrator
Administrator
Reg Info & T&C View Hotmail email
Select School
stored in Database Video
View VoIP Video Upload Lessons
View VLE Video
13. Storyboard
Home: view home page and video About: displays information regarding
the service, it’s aims and benefits
Select of f er assistance or
looking f or assistance
Register: Displays Terms and Conditions Register: Step 1 of 4 select teacher
type
17. Non Functional Requirements
• User Non Functional Requirements
• Usability Requirements
• Security and Privacy Requirements
• Performance Requirements
• Resource and Management Requirements
• Modification Requirements
• Error Handling
• Portability
• Availability
18. Similar Applications
TeachNet
• Irish Web based service
• Encourage teachers to create and publish
educational content for Internet
• Web 2.0 ready – includes blogs and podcasts
• Fresh and clean layout
Useful functions
• RSS feeds regarding education
• Podcasts http://www.teachnet.ie/
• Blog Learning without frontiers – Lord David Puttnam
• Calendar http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Iv0rOYHTIU
• Good use of metaphors and icons
Pages
• Courses
• Microsoft Education (Stakeholder)
• News
• Disclaimer
• Accessibility – would be useful in Parity to Power
19. Similar Applications
Teachers network
• American based non-profit organisation
• Run by teachers for teachers
• Layout cluttered and text heavy
Useful functions
Connecting links to:
• Facebook
• Twitter
• View Video
• Check Out Blog
Pages http://teachersnetwork.org/index.htm
• Videos for teachers
• Lesson plans
• How to articles
20. Similar Applications
Buddy School
• Run by Sea Blue Media, LLC an American based
business who provide Internet educational
media solutions
• Students and teachers meet up online
• Search engine facilitates connections between
students and teachers
• Layout clear, but a bit cluttered
Useful functions
• Clearly categorized into Student and Teacher
• Search tutor
• Subject categories ie Arts & Crafts, Languages etc
http://www.buddyschool.com/
Pages
• Register – very clear
• Find a teacher
• Schedule
• How does BuddySchool work
• Schedule - calendar
• Frequently asked questions
21. Other Similar Systems
• African Virtual University (AVU)
– Attempts to tackle gender mainstreaming in their
educational programs by marketing their courses towards
women.
– Fee paying. Does not encourage primary school girls.
– AVUTEP: Teacher Education Program.
• Parity.com
– Social networking pen pal system designed to further
education and training in developing countries.
– Pen pal system designed to encourage young schoolgirls to
continue their education.
– Imagine Cup (O’Brien. G. & Doyle. L. (2009). Parity. Paper
presented at Imagine Cup)
22. Architectural Diagram
VoIP: Voice over Internet Protocol
Database/Server: Information
entered by the users in during
the register process will be
stored for retrieval by the users.
Communication: Teachers Administrator: The
communicate and share through administrator will regulate,
the cloud by VoIP, email, monitor and review the
uploading and downloading files. system information.
23. Business Viability
• Costing: to host fully functioning pilot
system €5,000 to €10,000 approximately
• Self sustaining “eModerator”
• ICT policies within developing
countries
• GOAL (2011)
To provide enriching education
to society’s most vulnerable people
24. Conclusion
• Targets for reducing gender gaps in developing
countries are likely to be achieved by 2015, as
long as special attention is given to girls and the
reduction in gender imbalances in primary
education.
• The absence of female teachers means that
female students remain in a predominantly male
environment increasing feelings of insecurity
within the female students.
25. Conclusion
• Parity to Power will promote positive female
role models in education which will potentially
lead to an increase in the number of female
students attending primary education in
developing countries.
26. References
Bloomsberg Businessweek. (2011). Internet Software and Services. Sea Blue Media, LLC. Retrieved from
http://investing.businessweek.com/research/stocks/private/snapshot.asp?privcapId=80817
Buddy School. (2011). Retrieved from http://teachersnetwork.org/index.htm
O’Reilly, T. (2005). What is Web 2.0 . Design patterns and business models for the next generation of
software. Retrieved http://oreilly.com/web2/archive/what-is-web-20.html
Teachers Network. (2011). Retrieved from http://teachersnetwork.org/AboutUs/purpose.htm
TeachNet. (2011). Retrieved from http://www.teachnet.ie/SitePages/home.aspx
The International Development and Research Centre (IDRC). (2010). IDRC in Mozambique. Retrieved
from http://www.idrc.ca/en/ev-8513-201-1-DO_TOPIC.html
UNESCO (2008). Gender parity in education: Not there yet. Retrieved from
http://www.uis.unesco.org/template/pdf/EducGeneral/UIS Factsheet_2008_No%201_EN.pdf
UNFPA (2005). State of world population 2005. The promise of equality: gender equity, reproductive
health & the MDGs. Retrieved from http://unfpa.org/swp/2005/presskit/factsheets/fact
gender.htm.
United Nations. (2010). We can end poverty 2015: Millennium Development Goals. Retrieved from
http://www.un.org/millenniumgoals/gend er.shtml.
YouTube. (2011). Learning without frontiers – Lord David Puttnam. Retrieved from
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Iv0rOYHTIU
