Presenter:
E. Daniel Shim, Sacred Heart University
Description:
Real-life case brings new and value-added learning experience to the students. The objective of real-life case study is: (1) to enhance students' accounting and business knowledge by applying the learned concepts into a real company; (2) to improve students' research, oral and written communication skills, and presentation skills; and (3) to learn and manage team and its dynamics.
The team case paper and presentation was required for the Undergraduate "Cost Management" and "Advanced Management Accounting" and M.B.A. "Accounting for Decision Making and Control" courses. The team paper and presentation accounted for 40% of the final grade: one-half comes from peer (students) evaluation of the in-class presentation and another half from the faculty's paper evaluation. In order to complete the team case, a student team is required: (1) to research and identify a potential company for a case study, (2) to interview mangers to gather relevant data, (3) to apply learned concepts such as activity-based costing and balance scorecard, and write a real-life team case paper, and (4) to present it in class.
The real-life case development and in-class presentation greatly enhanced students' understanding of the accounting topic, provided in-depth understanding of a chosen company, and improved students' understanding different business environment by participating and evaluation other teams' presentations. In addition the team presentation and peer evaluation system enhanced students' critical-thinking skills and evaluation techniques. The students' peer evaluation systems also promoted students' ownership of the class and increased students' participation. With formation of a team, students get to know each other better and developed informal study groups and networks.
