SOFT708 Mobile Applications Development Assignment 1, 2026 | AIS

SOFT708 Mobile Applications Development Assignment 1

This assignment is worth 30% of the total marks in the course and will cover the following learning outcomes as listed in the Course Outline:

• Install and configure the Android application development environment.
• Develop and implement Android applications' User Interface (UI) by using Android controls.
• Develop Android applications that include commonly used mobile application features.
• Develop workplace soft skills, including working in groups, writing formal reports, carrying out individual research and/or delivering oral presentations.

Summary of Marking Criteria

Submission Instructions

• Create a folder as Assignment1YourName, for example, Assignment1John.
• Place your project (1) the source code of the entire solution (mobile application), design documents, and (2) the technical manual in the above folder, i.e., Assignment1YourName.
• Create a single .zip file of the above Assignmen1YourName folder, then submit the file via Moodle. The link is ‘Assignment 1 Dropbox’.
• Submit the Application demo recording via Moodle. The link is ‘Assignment1 App Demo’. 

Scenario: In this assignment, you must develop a stand-alone native Android mobile application. Select one from the following application lists. First-come-first serve approach will be used.

Application Lists:

Before starting to develop the application:

• You need to define the scope of the Android Mobile Application (Task 1), and
• Get approval from the lecturer. Once approved, you can go to Task 2; otherwise, repeat the process of Task 1 (select another application, define the application scope, and get approval from the lecturer).

Note:

• Your lecturer is a client for this assignment. You should ask your client for the app requirements and clarification during the development stages.
• Your application must be working and should not generate system/run-time errors; you will score zero for any section that generates a system error.

Task 1: Defining Application Scope: (8 Marks)

You must pick your Android Mobile Application carefully. It is much easier and fun to work on an application that is interesting and meaningful to you.

• Identify and select an Application that you would like to develop from the lists provided above.
• Draw an activity diagram suitable to show your proposed mobile app, and list the functionalities you want to provide in the application by creating a simple map with a few user interface designs.
• Submit your application scope as discussed earlier to your Lecturer for approval.

Submission1. 

1. Write down the title and introduction of your application. (2 marks)
(Appropriate Title @ 0.5mark, Introduction @ 1.5 marks)

2. Provide a list of functions that will constitute the application scope. Provide a short description of each function. (2 marks) 
(list of functions @ 1 marks, description @ 1 marks)

3. Create a site map of your application. A sample of an application site map is illustrated in Figure 1. A sample Application site map and user interfaces.(2 marks) 
(site map @ 1 mark, clarity and user-interfaces @ 1 mark)

2. An activity diagram drawn using Visio. (2 marks)
(activity diagram @ 1 mark, clarity and valid@ 1 mark)

4. All documentation must be in Microsoft Word.

Note:

• You need to submit this document (application scope) through Moodle within five (5) days after the release of this assignment.
• After receiving this document, your lecturer will discuss your application idea and the scope of the application with you.
• In some cases (i.e., your application idea requires ethical approval), your lecturer may ask you to select another application (in this case, you need to repeat task 1),
• Your lecturer may ask you to add or remove functionalities to justify the scope of the application. 

Task 2  –  Develop and Implement Android Application User Interface (UI) (25 Marks) 

You will create an Android Application User Interface using a declarative and programmatic approach that will provide the needed functionality for the user to do their work. The Android User Interface includes Android Widgets. You can use the traditional UI development (XML file) or the new UI development technology, JetPack Compose. You can use Java or Kotlin if it works for you.

UI requirements (16 marks) 

The exact appearance and functionality of your UI are up to you. The only requirements are documented below.

Use at least eight (8) appropriate Android widgets, for example, Buttons, Labels, Radio Buttons, Check Boxes, and Menus. (2 marks)
(0.25 marks for each Android control/widget –  maximum of two marks)

Use at least eight (8) Android activities or fragments. (2 marks) 
(0.25 marks for each Android activity/fragment –  maximum of two marks)

Use at least two different layout managers, for example, Constraint Layout, Linear Layout(Horizontal), Linear Layout (Vertical), Frame Layout, and Table Layout, or any of the legacy layouts. (2 marks)
(1 mark for each different layout –  maximum of two marks)

Ensure user-friendly design. A design that is genuinely confusing or hard to use (at the lecturer’s discretion) will not receive full credit. (10 marks) 
(Well-organised controls @ 4 marks, professional look and feel – e.g., use of listview, scroll bars, resources etc. @ 3 marks, Correct navigation @ 3 marks)

Event handling requirements: (9 marks)

Incorporate at least three different events, e.g. on Click, on Long Click, on Focus Change, on Key, on Touch, on MenuItem Click(9 marks) 

(Three events @ 3 marks each)

Task 3  –  Android Application Feature and Functional Requirements(22 MARKS)

Features requirements: (10 marks) 
Your application should have the following features: (1) an image gallery and (2) a Google map. (Each feature @ 5 marks)

Other functional requirements: (12 marks)

Include the following functionalities: (1) splash page, (2) dial a phone number, (3) send email or text,(4) browse a website.
(each functionality @ 3 marks)

Task 4: Application-Specific Requirements(13 Marks)  

This includes specific requirements based on your chosen application. These 13 marks will be distributed to the particular/features of your choosing. For example, if your application is a Mortgage calculator, then 13 marks will be awarded based on:

• Requirements are met
• Navigation
• Efficient use of functions
• Display output in a meaningful manner.

(Requirements are met @ 3 marks, Navigation @ 2 marks, Efficient use of functions@5marks, Display output in a meaningful manner@3 marks) 

Task 5: Other Application Requirements (10 Marks) 

Make sure that:

You should follow best practices for application development: for finding the best practices for application development, you may consider:

• Research similar mobile applications
• Consistency in the user interface design,
• Application is secure,
• Thoroughly test your application

You can further search for the best application development practices. A sample article that discusses best application development practices is given below:

Blair, L. (2018, March 28). 17 Top Mobile Development Practices. Retrieved May 15, 2019, from
https://buildfire.com/top-mobile-development-practices/

(Application development practice is followed @ 5 marks, Application development practices includebut are not limited to - Application is complete (as agreed scope), Application is error-free, Application is secure, Application follows consistent design)

Your application should follow the best coding practices: To find the best coding practices, you may visit various websites, such as those given below, or discuss with your lecturer for guidance.

Guzel, B. (2011, March 30). Top 15 Best Practices for Writing Super Readable Code. Retrieved

May 17, 2019, from https://code.tutsplus.com/tutorials/top-15-best-practices-for-writing-super-readable-code--net-8118 
 
Sun Microsystems. (n.d.). Naming Conventions. Retrieved May 17, 2019, from
https://www.oracle.com/technetwork/java/codeconventions-135099.html 

(Application coding practice is followed @ 5 marks, Coding practice may include but is not limited to - Commenting & Documentation, Consistent Indentation, Avoid Obvious Comments, CodeGrouping, Consistent Naming Scheme, Limit Line Length)

Task 6: Technical Manual-Install and Configure The Android Application Development Environment (12 Marks) 

Prepare a step-by-step technical manual for installing and configuring the development environment for Android applications. This manual must contain the following:

• Prerequisites required.
• Where to get the development kit
• Installation and configuration procedure with necessary screenshots
• Simulator configurations
• Other necessary packages

(Prerequisites @ 2 marks, where to get the development kit@ 1 mark, Installation, and configuration procedure with necessary screen shots@ 4 marks, Simulator configurations@ 2marks, Other necessary packages @ 1 mark)

Technical Manual Formatting Requirement

• All the contents are well organised
• Cover page
• Contents
• Headings
• Page numbers
• Font size: 12
• Font family: Times New Roman
• Paragraph align text “Justify
• All snapshots are centre-aligned and labelled. (Formatting @ 2 marks)

Task 7: Application Demo (20 Marks) 

1. Application demo: A 15 to 20-minute application demonstration is required in the submission week.

In the demo, you need to record a demonstration of your application and briefly explain its functionality.  

You may include the following points:

• Describe your application and application features
• Justify the scope of the application, including source code & designs
• Demonstrate the features of the application

(Using the marking criteria below)

Application Demonstration - Marking Criteria(44 marks normalised to 20)