IMPACT OF STATISTICAL SOFTWARE APPLICATION IN TEACHING ECONOMETRICS ON STUDENTS’ LEARNING ACHIEVEMENTS

Abstract

This paper examines the impact of using statistical software packages
in teaching econometrics at the undergraduate level on the Students’
learning achievements. The study explores the strong pedagogical
advantages of using statistical software packages in improving the
teaching and learning of econometrics at the undergraduate level. A
model was developed to investigate the benefit of using the software
packages on the student's learning achievements. Linear models,
together with parameter constancy tests, were applied. The result
suggests that attendance in the econometrics class with software
application positively impacts the student's learning achievements in the
year four econometrics course. However, it was evident that the
student's learning achievement before attending the class, proxied by
Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA), is the primary determinant
of the student's learning achievements in the course. The study
concludes that attendance in software-aided econometrics classes
significantly improves students’ learning achievements and has
implications for attendance policy in such university courses.