An International Meeting of the American Accounting Association 2005 Annual Meeting August 7–10, 2005 San Francisco, California Come to the City by the Bay!

Effective Learning Strategies Forum
Monday, August 8, 2005

Session 13
Fun in the Classroom

Presenters:
Paul H. Mihalek, University of Hartford
Patricia Poli, Fairfield University
Milo Peck, Fairfield University

Description:
Generation Y students and the Millennials differ dramatically from their preceding generations. They conduct their activities and a large portion of their lives by multitasking. Their attention spans are much shorter; in most cases they can focus for only as few as seven minutes without a change in their environment. Teaching styles must change to accommodate and modify students’ habits to prepare them for the business world.

Active learning techniques are extremely valuable in teaching these generations. In contrast to the traditional lecture format, group activities, team work on projects and role playing can make the classroom more interactive. These methods also encourage dialogue with the instructor and between students. For example, Legos? can be used to explain simple cost accounting definitions. They can also allow students to actively participate in a production line using either a job order or just in time inventory approach. Making a batch of cookies can be used to demonstrate process costing. The number and types of active learning techniques are infinite based on one’s creativity and willingness to experiment. This session focuses on a variety of these techniques and how to apply them successfully in the classroom.

Faculty can take a simple game such as pin the tail on the donkey and adapt it for classroom use. Many adaptations of well-known games are included in this session. Takeaways are the ideas that can be implemented across the accounting curriculum to stimulate classroom participation.

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