Classroom Assessment Techniques
I teach a lot of beginning level accounting courses that have a lot of theory and rules the students need to memorize to be successful. The first time I taught the class, I asked my students questions about the delivery. I used the feedback given to tweak the way I present my material so that it works for that particular group. I use similar examples and handouts that seem to work with the students each time, but I always ask for feedback on what can be done better.
I also like my students to be involved in the process of the class. I have different activities that break the course up and give real life examples. For instance, I use a video on Enron to discuss the cash flow concept with my students. Sharing the video (the story) to go along with handouts of the actual financial statements helps reinforce how the statements were put together and what was actually wrong with them. A second activity I have used in personal finance is an electronic game with budgets and monthly spending. Students get involved in this activity and it shows them how important the concept of an actual budget and building passive income truly is.
I agree with the need to use proper techniques to touch your students and allow them to feel like what they are learning is important and will help in their future careers. I have found that using examples or questions that could occur in their future career choice makes each student be involved.
You must used the proper techniques to touch your students and get them to act in class and to learn.
Hi Richard - I'm not sure how your online classes are set up, but you could use a short survey of some sort asking them what they learned this week, what questions they may have etc. We use Blackboard which has that as an option. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
Susan, since I teach online and an accelerated course (5 weeks not 15! *whew*!) it seems impossible to utilize CAT, any suggestions how to adapt to this?
Hi Carolyn- Thanks for your post to the forum. I completely agree - we need to make our lessons relevant so that our students understand how the concepts relate to what they will need to do in the workplace. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
I aced accounting in high school and in my undergraduate studies. When I had to take two courses during my graduate work I withdrew twice from the second level. The last time I took it the teacher was about my age and he related the course around tangible subjects like bowling and old cars. For some reason have these relate-able in making it easier to comprehend the information - go figure! But I thought that was interesting how the instructor made the course relate-able to assist in comprehension for majority of students.
I believe if more instructors make their courses more interesting then the students become more engaged. I think this separates good instructors from fantastic instructors.
Wow Joe - Thanks so much! Susan
The Enron video is called: Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room. The creator of the video also put together a book by the same name and had an article in Fortune Magazine called: Is Enron's stock overpriced.
Best regards,
Joe Koss
Hi Joe- I loved your ideas for getting input from your students as well as giving them interactive and media content ( not often seen in Accounting classes!). Would you mind sharing the source of the ENRON video? Thanks! Susan
