Innovations in Introductory Accounting: Supporting Positive Affect, the AICPA Core Competencies, and Significant Learning

• In Event: Research Paper Session—Teaching, Learning and Curriculum

Abstract

This paper describes three active learning activities developed for use in the introductory financial accounting class – an interview of a financial statement user, an internal control paper, and a financial statement project where students analyze two competing businesses. Student surveys were administered to measure the value these activities add to the introductory course.

The learning activities are developed using Fink’s (2003) Taxonomy of Significant Learning, aligning the activities with Fink’s learning dimensions which also support the higher order learning skills in Bloom’s revised taxonomy. In addition, students were surveyed on the how well traditional class activities (e.g. homework and tests) and the new activities support the AICPA core competencies. Students were also asked open-end questions and how they felt about these new activities.

Based on faculty comments and student survey results, the three innovative learning assignments appear to be effective in developing higher-order learning skills, positive affect, and those “real world” skill sets valued by professionals. When it came to developing the AICPA core competencies, the new learning activities provided more value than traditional teaching methods for many of the competencies. The projects also engender a more positive emotional affect in terms of student accomplishment, interest, engagement and meaning in their learning.

The paper presents and validates three learning activities that attract students to the accounting profession, improving both faculty and student affect in the introductory accounting class, and exposing students to the ubiquity of accounting – qualities desired by the Pathways Commission.

Authors

• Marsha M Huber, Youngstown State University

• David Law, Youngstown State University

• Ashraf A Khallaf, American University of Sharjah