Application of constructionism to research-related statistical computing training workshop at Rivers State University Port Harcourt Nigeria

Abstract

The study investigated the applicability of the Constructionist/Learning-While-Doing (C/LWD) instructional model to a professional development training programme in the Department of Business Education, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Nigeria. The study adopted the one-group pretest-posttest design. A sample of 52 participants took part in the study. An instrument titled the Statistical Computing and PowerPoint Scale (SCPS) was used to assess the knowledge of the participants before and after the training activity. The instrument was adapted and modified using Lough (2014). The response variables, such as knowledge of statistical computing (data coding, descriptive statistics, parametric statistics, and non-parametric statistics), reliability test computation, and PowerPoint presentation, were measured on a 10-point scale. The participants were trained in the use of Statistical Product and Service Solutions (SPSS) in statistical computing. The use of PowerPoint presentations in seminar delivery was also learned using the C/LWD model. The mean and standard deviation were used to answer the research questions, whereas the hypotheses were tested at a .05 level of significance. The finding, among others, established that the participants significantly improved their knowledge of data coding, descriptive statistics, parametric statistics, and non-parametric statistics over time using the C/LWD instructional model. A similar finding was established in terms of knowledge of the use of PowerPoint presentations and reliability test computations using the SPSS software package. This study recommended, among others, that researchers in education and related disciplines should study Statistical Computing and PowerPoint Presentations using C/LWD in a professional development training programme.