Web-Enhancing with Publisher Materials

The transformation of ACCT 302

ACCT 302This course was transformed from a

traditional on-ground course to a web-enhanced course, utilizing both instructor-prepared resources and publisher materials.

ACCT 302• Sometimes students resist taking this

course, stating, “I’d rather have a root canal.”

• Yet, it is a foundational course for business majors.

Why is it a “cornerstone” course?• All business students must take this

course.• They must pass this course to go on

in the business program.• Students will use knowledge from

this course in various careers, such as accounting, management, human resources.

In the beginning: The “Fledgling” 302

Was taught in the traditional way. The course had no web component.

It featured in-class:• Lectures• Overhead transparencies• Videos• Scan-tron exams• Solutions (available in Library)

Then came the first simple online additions:

• Syllabus• Course Schedule • Publisher’s link (PowerPoint)• Chapter Quizzes• Lecture notes in Discussions

It did not feature:• Class Discussions• In-class content (lecture notes)

Why did it change?• Students began to request copies of

overheads, videos, hand-outs, and lecture summaries. I didn’t want to give my originals out! I needed a way to distribute copies to the whole class.

So the new, improved 302 emerged

With a little help from the Center, the following features were added:

• Interactive Syllabus and Orientation• Calendar• Active Discussion Board• PowerPoint Presentations• Videos• Lecture Notes• Practices Quizzes• Assignments• Solutions to problems

How have students benefited?

• Online Access to Courses materials• Increased Student Interaction

through discussions• Increased interest in field of

Accounting• Greater Accounting knowledge• Improved “at risk” Student

performance

How has their instructor benefited?

• Peace of mind: students have a ‘fall back’ after class to review materials.

• Diminishes follow-up calls and emails from students regarding class activity or lectures.

• Provides Exam and homework feedback online.

• Calendar entries have become a vital means of communication.

Adapting Publisher Coursesto your online class

Review Publisher’s Version Carefully

All publisher offerings are not equal.

• Some furnish a complete shell, ready to go.

• Some offer student links to online publisher’s materials.

• Some have instructor materials online that you can download and utilize.

If you use a course shell

Select materials carefully.

Many complete course shells offer:

• Objectives• Chapter Summaries• PowerPoint Chapter presentations • Case Studies, Questions or Problems,

and Solutions• Quizzes• Instructor’s manual

But they may also offer:• Glossaries• Study helps: Flash Cards• Annotated Internet Links• Self-grading practice quizzes • Interactive exercises (Business Around the World

clickable map, giving business news for that area)• Narrated Videos• News Feeds on specific topics• Group Project case studies

So which do you choose?

• Will you teach the entire book?• Do the materials emphasize or

support the concepts you want to stress?

• Will students rely on supplemental materials rather than read the text?

• Do publisher’s quizzes emphasize the points you want to test?

Questions to ask yourself:

Additional considerations:Remember what publisher courses

don’t offer:• Assessment Choices

• Exams• Projects, Papers• Group work

• Easy student navigation • Discussion questions

• Be selective about material

• Indicate which items are optional and which are required.

• Add discussion questions and other content.

• Adapt content to the GSU standard template so that courses remain consistent across the curriculum.

If you use publisher materials: