BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
Grading in education is the process of applying standardized measurements of varying levels of achievement in a course. Semester/session grade-point average and cumulative grade-point average (CGPA) are calculated to represent numerically a student’s quality of performance. All grades from all current classes are averaged to create a grade point average (GPA) for the marking period. The GPA is calculated by taking the number of grade points a student earned in a given period of time. These averages are used to determine if a student qualifies for certain academic actions and programs. The life and success of every student is visible through his academic performance, hence it is required of every student to keep, and monitor his academic performance. Therefore the act of keeping academic records and yearly performance of a student every session is very essential, which can encourage a student to add more effort during has course of study. The social and economic development of the country is directly linked with student academic performance. The students’ performance (academic achievement) plays an important role in producing the best quality graduates who will become great leader and manpower for the country thus responsible for the country’s economic and social development (Ali et.al, 2009).
Grading in Nigerian Universities differs, though there are much similarities. Grades are assigned in letters (for example A, B, C, D, E or F), as a range or as a percentage of a total number scored, as a number out of a possible total (for example out of 20 or 100), or as descriptors (excellent, great, satisfactory, needs improvement). Each grade is assigned a point (0- 5) called the grade point and the each course is also assigned a point called the credit unit(CU) or credit load(CL). The computation of a student GP is done by obtaining Grade Point Equivalent (GPE) for each course; which is the product of his credit load and the grade point obtained. Performance in any semester is reported in Grade Point Average, this is the average of weighted grade points earned in the courses taken during the semester. the purpose of calculating a student’s cumulative GPA is to determine the class of degree to be awarded, grades obtained in all the courses whether compulsory or optional and whether passed or failed, must be included in the computation. Even when a student repeats the same course once or more before passing it or substitutes another course for a failed optional course, grades scored at each and all attempts shall be included in the computation of the GPA. (NUC, 2007)
Student academic performance measurement has received considerable attention in previous research, it is challenging aspects of academic literature, and science student performance are affected due to social, psychological, economic, environmental and personal factors. These factors strongly influence on the student performance, but these factors vary from person to person and country to country. The students in consideration in this research are basically the youths. This age are known to be highly influence with social trends and other environmental factors. It’s important to note that the fastest tool to affect a student academic performance is to introduce academic related gadgets into his hubbies. Since the use of smart phones has become more trendy with the development of mobile applications, introducing educational apps will go a long way to change the use of mobile apps from an entertainment and relaxation tool to a learning and help tool.
.
From the study it was observed by the researcher that among undergraduates in the department of computer science Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, GPA computation is usually done manually using a piece of paper or an exercise book, which can be easily misplaced or wrongly calculated, thus leading the student to an emotional trauma if he/she later discovers that he has being doing a wrong calculation. It was also observed that students do have difficulties computing missing scripts and carryovers. To curb these problems, introducing a user friendly application which is capable of computing GP for each semester and session, storing all the records in a server will be of great significance.