35th Annual Meeting

May 11-13, 2000
Salt Lake City, Utah

CPE Workshops

Thursday May 11, 2000
1:00 p.m.- 4:30 p.m.

Title: Teaching Accounting to Generation X, Y, and Z
A Compilation of Contemporary Teaching Tools

Presenter: Thomas P. Edmonds, University of Alabama at Birmingham

Session description:
Have you noticed a difference in your students lately? Are you seeing a shorter attention span? Is there a prevailing attitude that learning should come easy and be entertaining? Are your students demanding more, but willing to give less? Do they expect high grades with minimal effort? Welcome to the new millennium!

Like it or not, today's students are different from their predecessors. However, different does not necessarily mean bad. Indeed, I have found that today's students are far more open to innovative teaching approaches than were their predecessors. If handled properly, they are eager to work in groups and they embrace an active learning environment. They are more willing to speak up and they are quite comfortable with computer technology. This suggests that we can maintain or even expand our learning expectations, if we are willing to use alternative teaching strategies that appeal to today's students.

If you are interested in innovative teaching strategies that work effectively in ordinary classrooms, this workshop is for you. I teach average students in a mass section environment. The techniques I employ stress the meaningful comprehension of fundamental concepts over the rote memorization of rules and procedures. Since a conceptual understanding serves users and preparers of financial statements, the innovative teaching model will benefit both accounting and non-accounting business majors.

The traditional teaching approach is characterized by a preparer orientation, a passive pedagogy, and a competitive environment. In contrast, the innovative teaching model includes a conceptual orientation, an active pedagogy, and a cooperative atmosphere. This workshop will help your transition to a new teaching approach by providing you with exercises, problems, and short cases that you can use immediately. The teaching strategies are applicable to large or small classes. No special equipment or facilities are necessary. While the content centers on accounting principles, the teaching approach is applicable to upper level courses as well. Research findings indicate that the concepts approach results in improved student performance, lower drop rates, and higher teacher evaluation rankings. Accordingly, anyone interested in an improved teaching model will benefit from the seminar.

The registration fee is $50.