Keeping AIS Current and Relevant: How Do You Fit It All In???

• In Event: Reception with Effective Learning Strategies Posters Session

Abstract

The researcher has been teaching the Accounting Information Systems course to senior accounting students for almost ten years. The goal of this poster presentation is to show the evolution of the course over the past ten years in an effort to prepare the students for the workforce, i.e. ‘the real world’. This poster session will also present examples of experiential learning achieved by senior accounting students in their accounting information systems course by exposing them to real time, real world type assignments in addition to traditional textbook lecture.
The presenter will showcase the textbooks chosen to meet both content requirements as well as exposing students to accounting software. Examples of the types of semi-structured assignments will be showcased. These assignments are chosen based on the instructor’s previous experience in corporate accounting and finance. The goal of these in-class assignments is for students to learn to complete tasks in a short time period, simulating a deadline. The exercises generally match textbook concepts with real world experiences and require students to ‘think on their feet’. Students learn to assess the requirements, evaluate, and respond quickly.
The instructor makes a great effort to keep assignments up to date as to their usefulness in today’s workplace. Information about relevant technologies and skills needed is gathered from university alumni currently working in industry as well as other industry professionals. The approaches and challenges of keeping the course current and relevant for the industry will be presented.
The assessment methods have changed over the years to reflect the change in teaching methodology and continue to evolve with more emphasis placed on short-term in-class assignments than any other component.

Based on the positive (and excited) attitudes displayed by accounting students during class, previous informal feedback from alumni, and the perceptions of the instructor, students do achieve experiential learning in accounting information systems. It is the opinion of the instructor that the level of learning achieved by participating in these in-class activities exceeds the learning achieved passively by ‘sitting through lectures’. They improve active learning skills such as creative thinking, problem solving, and preparation of presentation documents. They learn valuable technological skills and exhibit an increased confidence in their preparedness for the workforce.

Author

• Tara Honea Saracina, Claflin University