Nurturing the social construction of knowledge in advanced financial accounting: the use of asynchronous discussion forums to facilitate case-based learning

Thomas Kern, Nicholas McGuigan, Sidney Weil

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference proceeding contributionpeer-review

Abstract

This paper describes the implementation of an online discussion forum as a means of facilitating case-based learning in an Advanced Financial Accounting course. The paper commences with a review of case-based learning literature (Campbell and Lewis, 1991; Wines, Carnegie, Boyce and Gibson, 1994; Hassall, Lewis and Broadbent, 1998; Boyce, Williams, Kelly and Yee, 2001; Milne and McConnell, 2001; Weil, Oyelere and Rainsbury, 2004) and the use of asynchronous discussions as a delivery platform (Shaw, 2001; Moore and Marra, 2005; Pena-Shaff, Altman and Stephenson, 2005), linking these pedagogical approaches to the emerging needs and learning styles of the current generation of 'digital' students (Sheahan, 2005). The paper then describes the context in which the research takes place, including the nature of the course, its learning objectives and its educational philosophy and describes the rationale for the implementation and usage of the online discussion forum. Survey data were collected and analysed from a single student cohort to assess student perceptions of the benefits and limitations of case studies and online discussion groups to augment case-based learning. The findings suggest that students perceive numerous benefits associated with case-based online discussions, including being exposed to other students' opinions, improving the ability to critically review case information, motivation to consult additional non-course related material and the convenience of the technology utilised.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publication2010 AFAANZ conference
Subtitle of host publicationpapers
Place of PublicationChristchurch, New Zealand
PublisherAccounting and Finance Association of Australia and New Zealand
Pages1-26
Number of pages26
Publication statusPublished - 2010
Externally publishedYes
EventAccounting and Finance Association of Australia and New Zealand Conference (2010) - Christchurch, New Zealand
Duration: 4 Jul 20106 Jul 2010

Conference

ConferenceAccounting and Finance Association of Australia and New Zealand Conference (2010)
CityChristchurch, New Zealand
Period4/07/106/07/10

Keywords

  • asynchronous discussion forums
  • case-based learning
  • accounting education
  • community of practice

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