Abstract:
Work-based learning is what equips students
with practical skills. All higher learning institutions
(HLIs) have a specified period of time for students to
carry out field based practices in companies which are
relevant to their fields of study. As the number of
students in Tanzanian HLIs become larger, coordination
and allocation of students to relevant companies is
becoming tougher. This study therefore intended to
examine a better method to facilitate coordination and
allocation of students to relevant companies through
development of an online computer system. The research
study to determine systems’ requirements was conducted
in Arusha and Kilimanjaro regions by involving 62 HLI
students, 3 HLIs and 5 companies. Data were collected
using key informant interviews, observation and
workshop. Both informative and descriptive information
regarding current practices and desired features were
collected and analyzed. It was found that, a platform for
registering students’ profiles and companies’ information
has advantages to all three main stakeholders who are
HLIs, students and companies. Prior to actual
implementation, collaborative prototype was designed
using pencil software and shared to 5 users from each
group of stakeholders to evaluate the tasks. Responses
from users were used to refine the requirements and
design the final prototype. The final prototype design was
used to develop a Field Attachment Management System
(FAMS). FAMS indicated to have improved access of
students to relevant companies, reports generation,
students’ assessment and follow-up conducted by HLIs to
their students.
