Solo project: Angel Resources in Accountancy Courses

Faculty: Margaret P. Ruggieri
Dept: Accountancy
Phone: 401-865-2654
Email: ruggieri@providence.edu

Experience with Instructional Technology

Prior to Angel, I used the Network N Drive and H Drive to share materials with students and department faculty members respectively. Beginning in the Fall 2002 semester, I began using the Angel Management Course Software. To date, I have used Angel to post homework assignments and make electronic solutions to text problems available to students 24/7. I have used Powerpoint slides provided by the publisher as outline material for students (in hard copy only). I have begun to use limited PowerPoint presentation in my Introductory Accounting 101 course but there is much room for enhancement of slides and materials. I have attended several technology sessions offered at Providence College, including Angel, Smartboard, PowerPoint and Graphics.

Project Resources

How might you use any purchased materials after you finish this Project?
After the completion of the project, I plan to continue using the remote mouse and thumbnail drive for classroom purposes. The microphone/headset will be used to update PowerPoint presentations.

Project Info

Start Date: January 1, 2004
End Date: December 31, 2004

Milestones: There are four phases in this project, one of which will occur after the project completion date.

• Phase 1 ( Jan '04 –May '04): Revision of Introductory Accounting Courses ACC 101 and ACC 102. Implementation and assessment in Spring '04 semester for ACC102.
• Phase II (June '04 –August '04): Revision of Intermediate Accounting Courses ACC201 and ACC202.
• Phase III (Sept '04 – Dec '04): Implementation and Assessment of ACC101 and ACC201 in Fall '04 semester.
• Project completion date: December 2004 .
• Phase IV (Jan '05 – May '05): Implementation and Assessment of ACC202 in Spring '05 semester.

Note attached Gantt Chart to view all phases of project.

Project Objective

My primary objective is to develop a more technologically advanced presentation of my introductory and intermediate accounting courses. I want to:

• improve my ability to use multimedia tools in the classroom, which I feel will enhance both the delivery of the course and student learning.
• continue to enhance my knowledge of the capabilities of Angel and apply these features to my classes, which will improve accessibility of materials to the students.
• help the students become more familiar and more comfortable with the technology and its capability, which should result in improved learning.

Once I have achieved these goals, I would like to share this knowledge with my colleagues in the Accountancy Department. Most members of our department teach introductory accounting. In the past, I have often shared introductory course materials, including assignments (written and computer applications), projects and various techniques I have found effective in the classroom. This sharing can enhance our Department program.

I use the Wall Street Journal extensively in my Intermediate Accounting courses and to a less extent in my introductory accounting courses. I want to improve my ability to provide relevant links for the students, provide graphics and video clips where appropriate. In all my courses I currently give numerous handouts to supplement the text; I plan on making these materials available on Angel (via scanning and or uploading of files).

Project Outcomes

Angel- or course-related: Overall effectiveness of the delivery of course materials and communication will be enhanced by using Angel. Specifically, the expected outcomes include: PowerPoint Presentations: Will be posted on Course “Lessons” pages for student review before and after classroom lecture. Course materials available for each chapter under Course “Lessons”. Individual and Group Assignments: Posted on Course “Lessons” page. Assignments will be submitted electronically. Group power point presentations will be posted for reviewing by all students. On-line office hours. Schedule on-line office hours preceding exams for last minute questions and concerns. Chat rooms and threaded message boards. Will use both these features for effective communication for team projects and questions regarding outside class projects.

Enhancement to instructional practices: Using a remote mouse while presenting course material, thereby better interacting with students. Using power point, the Smartboard, textbook transparencies and the classic chalkboard bring a variety of effective tools to the classroom, thereby enhancing instruction. Will have the narrated version of power point presentations available to students for review. Each year I teach the course, I can review the oral presentation for potential improvement.

Assessment Plan

Assessment Impact: To determine if my students' learning has been enhanced and/or improved, I will include questions on my course evaluation forms for the spring and fall, specifically asking students for their reactions to the new media practices and assignments.

Change in Instructional Practices: Adopting a more sophisticated and well-thought-out approach to the analysis, evaluation, and presentation of my course material augments my pedagogy. Since I will be revising several courses over the next year, if I construct my phase II courses more quickly and efficiently, I will know that I am becoming more expert in using the tools of technology needed.

Process Evaluation: I will also know if I am successful if I manage to complete all or most of the project outcomes listed above. Anticipated Benefit: One benefit that should accrue from my altered instructional practices is that I will be able to transfer the skills I learn to any other course that I teach.

Project Plan

The original spreadsheet file can be located here...