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
Wednesday, August 10, 2005

Session 30
Learning Communities-Creating Positive Outcomes for Students

Presenter:
Marie Kavanagh, The University of Queensland

Description:
Teaching staff in large classes are faced with students from different social/cultural backgrounds, and varying levels of education who bring with them different needs and academic potential. The trick is to create a suitable learning environment. This session will illustrate how a multi level approach has been used to create and maintain a networked community of learners who support one another through peer learning/mentoring in a large undergraduate accounting class. Traditional methods were adapted, supported by the use of technology and virtual teaming to provide more effective communication and greater learning support. The learning experience is enhanced using peer mentors who facilitate and support interactive case studies and create a student-centered social learning environment facilitated by an online website "Peer Place." Both qualitative and quantitative methods of data collection are being employed to assess responses of students, mentors and staff to the new learning environment. Results suggest that peer mentors help to develop in younger students a strong sense of belonging to the learning community, a greater commitment to their studies which is positively reflected in student results.

Attendees will learn about how the program operates and how it is evaluated, be able to view copies of the resources involved and gain an insight into the support required in terms of staff and technology to maintain the program.

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