PLT COLLEGE OF GUINOBATAN, INC College of Information Technology CAP101 – BSIT 3 CAPSTONE PROJECT AND RESEARCH 1 INTRODUCTION Prepared by: Evangelio, Joriz* BSIT 3, Nebres, Ivan Carlo* BSIT 3, Palaje, Jirwen BSIT 3, 23-7523 Simeon, Althea Mhae* BSIT 3, Suarez, Abegail BSIT 3, 23-7673 * Absent Submitted to: JOMAR CONSORTE, LPT, MIT Faculty, BSIT BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY Over the past few years, students have faced increasing academic demands that require effective management of time, tasks, and study routines. Poor time allocation and procrastination have been linked to reduced academic performance and heightened stress, highlighting the importance of self-regulation and time management for student success (Valente et al., 2024). With the rapid expansion of digital technologies, students increasingly rely on technological tools to support their study routines. Strategic and goal-oriented use of digital tools has been shown to enhance student engagement, motivation, and academic performance (Cancer et al., 2025). However, many existing tools focus on isolated functions and lack integration, personalization, and adaptability to meet diverse academic needs (Li et al., 2026). Time management strategies, such as the Pomodoro Technique, which breaks work into focused intervals with short breaks, have been shown to improve focus, reduce fatigue, and enhance productivity (Ogut, 2025). When combined with Artificial Intelligence (AI), these strategies can further boost efficiency (ONLIFE, 2024). AI, the simulation of human intelligence in machines, is transforming education by adapting to individual student needs, streamlining administrative tasks, and providing actionable insights through data analytics (Al-Deek, n.d.; eSchool News, 2024). Beyond functionality, the visual design of these digital tools plays a crucial role in sustaining student focus. Modern user interface paradigms, such as Neumorphism (Soft UI), help prevent digital fatigue by creating a tactile, minimalist environment. By reducing visual clutter, Neumorphic design lowers extraneous cognitive load, allowing students to maintain deeper concentration on their academic tasks. In the Philippines, Universities have explored AI-based tools to enhance learning, improve assessment, and provide timely feedback (Dabu, 2024; Estrellado et al., 2023). Government initiatives, such as the National AI Roadmap, the establishment of the National Centre for AI Research (N-CAIR), and local programs like the Albay Institute of Artificial Intelligence (AIAI), reflect a commitment to leveraging AI to improve education and productivity (Yusop, 2025; DitoSaPilipinas, 2025). This study will be conducted at PLT College of Guinobatan, Inc. (PLTCGI), a private higher education institution in San Francisco, Guinobatan, Albay. The institution provides a suitable environment for assessing students productivity, study habits, and use of digital learning tools. The proposed system, SPACE (Smart Productivity and Academic Companion for Education), aims to help students manage tasks, schedules, and notes efficiently, ultimately enhancing academic performance and productivity. PROBLEM STATEMENT This research will be conducted to determine the effectiveness of SPACE: Smart Productivity and Academic Companion for Education of PLT College of Guinobatan Inc. Students. Specifically, this study sought to answer the following questions: What problems do students encounter in managing academic tasks, notes, and schedules? What features should be included in the SPACE system to improve student productivity? How can a centralized academic productivity system be designed and developed for students? How effective is the system in terms of: Functionality Usability Efficiency portability reliability, and security RESEARCH QUESTIONS This study seeks to answer the following: How can Neumorphic design be applied to a web-based productivity system to reduce cognitive load among students? How effective is the SPACE system in terms of functionality, usability, efficiency, portability, reliability, and security? How does integrating a Pomodoro Timer, Task Manager, and Note-Taker into one platform impact student productivity? RESEARCH OBJECTIVES To achieve and assess what this research will come to, the researchers aim: To design and develop a responsive web application using a Neumorphic UI that provides students with a calming, tactile, and distraction-free workspace. To implement a unified dashboard that seamlessly integrates a note-taker, task manager, and a JavaScript-powered Pomodoro timer into one study hub. To evaluate the performance of the system using PHP and MySQL to ensure that all student data is saved securely and updates instantly across devices. To assess user satisfaction among PLT College students using the System Usability Scale (SUS) to confirm that the platform effectively reduces study-related stress. SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY The development of SPACE (Smart Productivity and Academic Companion for Education) is expected to provide valuable benefits to the following: Students. It provides a centralized, Neumorphic environment that reduces "app fatigue" by merging notes, tasks, and timers into one place. This helps students manage their cognitive load, improve focus during study sessions, and maintain an organized record of their academic responsibilities. Faculty. Faculty members benefit from this when students utilize structured productivity tools, they are more likely to meet academic deadlines and submit higher-quality work, leading to a more efficient and productive teaching-learning environment. PLT College Of Guinobatan Inc. The institution benefits from the digital modernization of student support tools. Successful implementation demonstrates the college’s commitment to tech-driven learning and showcases the technical capabilities of its Information Technology department. Researchers. This study allows the researchers to bridge the gap between theory and pract