Stage 1: Problem Identification

Teachers and students currently calculate grades manually, which is slow, error-prone, and inefficient.
This causes delays in getting accurate results and increases the chance of mistakes in grade calculation

Problem description

At Excell College, computer science students often find it difficult to manually calculate their
overall average grade or determine if they are passing. Teachers sometimes provide only raw
marks, and students may not know how these convert into grades. This leads to confusion and
poor tracking of academic performance. There is a need for a simple grade calculator that helps
students:

1) Enter marks for different subjects.

2) Calculate their total and average.

3) See their final grade (e.g., A, B, C).

4) Track pass/fail status easily.

Theme: Grade Calculator for Computer Science students at Excell College

Statement of intent

I intend to develop a grade calculator using Visual basics hat helps students at Excell College
easily calculate their total marks, average, and final grade based on their subject scores. This tool
is meant to solve the problem of manual grade calculation, which often leads to errors and
confusion among students. The system will allow users to input marks for five subjects, and it
will display the total, average, and corresponding grade (A–F scale). It will be user-friendly,
lightweight, and offline making it suitable for a low-resource environment like our school.
Design Specification

Users Students at Excell College .

Problem type Academic grade tracking and awareness.

Inputs Marks for 5 subjects (0–100 range).

Processes Total calculation, average computation,

grading logic (A–F), pass/fail check.

Output Total marks, average, letter grade, pass/fail

status.

Platform Desktop computer (Windows OS).

Mode of use Offline application (no internet required).

Target devices School computers with basic hardware specs.

Constraints Must work offline, no licensing costs, minimal

setup, simple for non-technical users.

Success criteria Must calculate accurate totals, averages,

correct grades, show clear PASS/FAIL status,
and handle input errors gracefully.

Stage 2: Generating Possible Ideas

1. Manual Grade Sheets

Many schools, especially those in low-resource areas, still rely on printed or handwritten grade
sheets. Students manually write in their marks, calculate totals and averages using calculators,
and then use a printed grading scale to assign a final grade.

Advantages
Very cheap and does not require electricity or internet.

Helps students learn basic calculation and record-keeping skills.

Disadvantages

Time-consuming and prone to human error.

Difficult to store, share, or update.

Not suitable for large classes or frequent assessments.

2. Mobile Apps (e.g., Easy Grade Calculator)

Some students use free mobile apps to calculate grades and track marks over the term.

Advantages

Portable and accessible.

Often includes extra features like graphs or reminders.

Disadvantages

Not all students own smartphones.

Many apps have in-app purchases or ads.

Not always reliable for Zimbabwean grading systems.

3. Online Grade Calculation Tools

There are many websites where students can enter marks and get results instantly. Examples
include MyGradeBook, [Link], and RapidTables.

Advantages
Instant results, easy to use.

Available anytime with internet access.

Disadvantages

Requires stable internet connection.

May show ads or track data.

Cannot be customized for Excell College grading system.

Stage 3: Generation of Possible Solutions

1. Visual Basic ([Link]) Grade Calculator

This is a desktop application developed using Visual Basic in the Visual Studio environment. It
features a simple graphical user interface (GUI) that allows students to input marks for five
subjects. When the "Calculate" button is clicked, it processes the input and displays the total,
average, grade, and pass/fail status.

Advantages

1. User-friendly interface for Windows computers

2. Runs offline, ideal for schools with limited or no internet

3. Can be distributed as a .exe file for easy use

4. Easy to maintain or modify by ICT teachers

Disadvantages

1. Requires Visual Studio for development

2. Cannot run on Linux/Android unless recompiled or reprogrammed

3. Slightly larger setup file compared to lightweight scripting solutions

2. Microsoft Excel Grade Calculators

Some schools use Excel templates created by teachers, which include built-in formulas to
calculate percentages and grades.

Advantages

Fast and accurate calculations.

Easy to update or adjust for different grading systems.

Can handle multiple students and subjects.

Disadvantages

Requires access to computers and basic Excel knowledge.

Mistakes in formulas can lead to incorrect results.

Not mobile-friendly for students who only use smartphones.

3. Google Sheets with Embedded Scripts

This solution uses Google Sheets with custom formulas and optional Google Apps Script to
automate grading. Students or teachers enter marks into a spreadsheet, and formulas calculate
totals, averages, grades, and pass/fail status.

Advantages

1. Accessible from any device with internet access

2. Automatically saves and updates in real-time

3. Can be shared easily with teachers or parents

4. Custom scripts can enhance automation and appearance

Disadvantages

1. Requires a stable internet connection

2. Not ideal for offline use in low-resource schools

[Link] must have or create Google accounts

Stage 4: Development and Refinements

Justification of Choice: Visual Basic ([Link]) Grade Calculator

After evaluating the possible solutions, the [Link] Grade Calculator was chosen as the most suitable for
the school environment at Excell College. This solution provides a balance between ease of use, offline
functionality, and compatibility with school infrastructure. Here are the main reasons why this option
was selected:

1. Offline Accessibility

[Link] applications run fully offline, which is essential for Excell College where reliable internet is not
always available. Students and teachers can access the tool at any time from school computers.

2. User-Friendly Interface

The [Link] GUI (Graphical User Interface) is clean and intuitive. Students can simply enter their marks,
click one button, and immediately see their total, average, grade, and pass/fail status — with no
technical background needed.

3. Cost-Effective and Customizable

The system is developed using Visual Studio, which offers a free version. Once built, the executable file
can be shared at no cost. It can also be easily edited in the future by the ICT department to meet new
grading schemes or requirements.

4. Improves Digital Skills

Both students and teachers benefit from using a digital tool that enhances their exposure to basic
software applications and logic — a step forward in promoting 21st-century digital literacy.

5. Simple Distribution

The calculator is built into a .exe file and can be copied to school computers or USB flash drives without
needing to install extra software.

Developments and Refinements Made

1. Input Validation and Error Prevention

The application now checks all inputs to make sure only numbers between 0 and 100 are accepted. If a
user enters text, leaves a field blank, or types a number outside the valid range, the system shows an
error message without crashing. This improves the system's reliability and protects against common
input mistakes.

2. Color-Coded Pass/Fail Indicators

When the calculation is done, the system shows a green "PASS" label if the student’s average is 40% or
above. If it’s below 40%, it shows a red "FAIL" label. This provides quick visual feedback and enhances
user experience.

3. Letter Grade Assignment

The system was refined to convert average marks into clear letter grades using the standard A–F grading
system:

A = 80–100

B = 70–79

C = 60–69

D = 50–59

E = 40–49

F = below 40

4. Improved Layout and Alignment

The [Link] interface was refined to ensure all fields and labels are properly aligned and easy to read.
Buttons are clearly labeled and grouped logically to avoid user confusion.

5. Deployment as Executable File

The final application was compiled into an .exe file, making it easy to run on any compatible computer
without the need to open Visual Studio or install extra software.

Stage 5: Presentation of the final solution

Final Product Overview

The final solution is a Visual Basic ([Link]) Grade Calculator that runs as a Windows desktop
application. It is designed for students at Excell College to calculate their total marks, average,
letter grade, and pass/fail status from five subjects. It runs completely offline and is distributed as
a .exe file, making it suitable for low-resource school environments.

Key Features with Code

1. User Input for Marks (TextBoxes)

The interface contains five textboxes where students enter their marks. The inputs are captured in
code like this:

2. Input Validation and Error Handling

If a user enters invalid data (letters or out-of-range numbers), the system shows an error
message:

3. Total and Average Calculation

Once the inputs are verified, the system calculates the total and average:

4. Letter Grade Assignment

The average is mapped to a letter grade using conditional logic:

5. Pass/Fail Status with Color Coding

The application then checks whether the student has passed or failed:

Dim passFail As String = If(average >= 40, "PASS", "FAIL")

6. Displaying Output on the Form

After all calculations are completed, the results are shown in labels:

Each label (lblTotal, lblAverage, lblGrade, lblStatus) is clearly placed on the form for easy
reading.

Screenshots to Include (for Print/Slides

Screenshot Description

1. Application Form Inputs, labels, and calculate button

2. After Calculation Shows total, average, grade, and pass/fail

3. Error Example Invalid input triggers error popup

4. .exe on Desktop Proof that it runs offline

How This Solves the Original Problem

Removes the need for manual grade calculation

Automatically applies correct grading rules

Makes academic performance easy to understand using clear labels and color indicators

Offers a low-cost, offline tool tailored to Excell College students

Encourages digital learning and basic programming understanding

Stage 6: Evaluation and Recommendation

Relevance to the statement of intent

The final [Link] Grade Calculator successfully meets the goals stated in my intent. It allows
students at Excell College to input marks for five subjects and get accurate totals, averages,
grades, and pass/fail status. The system is simple, offline, and tailored to our school’s grading
system—just as planned. It solves the problem of manual grade calculation and promotes digital
literacy, making it fully consistent with my original aim.

Challenges Encountered

1. User Input Errors

Many users entered invalid data (e.g., letters instead of numbers, negative marks, or marks above
the maximum). Handling these gracefully was challenging to avoid crashes and ensure accurate
calculations.

2. Debugging Logic Errors

Sometimes the grade calculation or boundary conditions did not produce the correct grade.
Debugging the conditions and logic statements took extra time to ensure accuracy.

3. Interface Usability Issues

Designing a simple and intuitive user interface was difficult, especially to provide clear
instructions and error messages for users who are not familiar with computers.

4. Handling Edge Cases

Special cases like empty inputs, zero marks, or maximum marks had to be considered to avoid
errors or incorrect outputs.

5. Limited VB Knowledge
Some parts of Visual Basic syntax and event handling were initially confusing, slowing down
development and requiring additional learning.

Recommendations

1. Implement Input Validation

Add more robust input validation to ensure only valid numeric marks within acceptable ranges are
entered. Use error messages to guide users on correcting mistakes.

2. Improve User Interface Design

Make the interface more user-friendly by adding tooltips, clear labels, and step-by-step instructions to
help users understand how to use the calculator.

3. Add Comprehensive Testing

Conduct thorough testing with different inputs including edge cases to identify and fix any hidden bugs
or logic errors.

4. Include Data Storage Features

Enhance the program to save student marks and grades to a file or database for future reference and
reporting.

5. Support Multiple Students Input

Develop functionality to handle input and calculation for multiple students at once, improving the
program’s efficiency and usefulness.

6. Add Compatibility Checks

Test the application on different Windows versions and screen sizes to ensure consistent performance
and appearance.

7. Provide Error Handling

Implement error handling routines to manage unexpected errors gracefully without crashing the
program.

8. Include Grade Customization Options

Allow teachers or users to customize the grading boundaries to suit different grading systems or
subjects.