Using a Structured Collaborative Learning Approach to Develop Critical Thinking and Teamwork Skills in a Case-based Accounting Course

Grant program: Teaching and Learning Development Grant (TLDG)

Grant recipient: Hwee Cheng Tan, Beedie School of Business

Project team: Camila de Campos Miranda, research assistant

Timeframe: March 2017 to January 2018

Funding: $6000

Course addressed: BUS 424 – Advanced Managerial Accounting

Final report: Available upon request - contact Hwee: hwee_cheng_tan@sfu.ca

Description: I wish to find out whether adopting a structured collaborative learning approach in a case-based course helps students develop their critical thinking and teamwork skills. I am also interested to know students’ satisfaction in using this approach.

Questions addressed:

• What is students’ perception of a structured collaborative learning approach?
• Does a structured collaborative learning approach lead to course satisfaction?
• Does the workbook facilitate the preparation for a case-based examination?
• Has the ability of students to identify the key issues in the case study improved when the structured collaborative learning approach is used?

Knowledge sharing: I would like to present my findings at the Annual Symposium on Teaching and Learning at SFU, Beedie’s Teaching and Learning event, and AAA Conference on Teaching and Learning in Accounting. I also plan to submit a paper to Accounting Education.

Keywords: case studies; case-based learning; team based learning; collaborative learning; measuring critical thinking skills; measuring team work skills; survey; student assignments; case method; teamwork; workbook