Using Information Technology In Teaching Of Business Statistics In Nigeria Business School

Abstract

This paper discusses the use of Microsoft Excel software in the teaching of statistics in the Faculty of Business Administration at the University of Lagos, Nigeria. Problems associated with existing traditional methods are identified and a novel pedagogy using Excel is proposed. The advantages of using this software over other specialized statistical packages (SPSS, Minitab or Stata) are simplicity, universality, accessibility, increased acquisition of skills, and, more importantly, reduced cost for students and instructors alike particularly for those in developing economies. Several examples are introduced to illustrate the use of Excel in teaching statistics in a business school. Moreover, this proposition is partially motivated by an intervention program funded by the USAID that resulted in the acquisition of information and communication technology (ICT) laboratories.