Identical Instructor, Different Teaching Methodologies: Contrasting Outcomes

Abstract This chapter examines whether students’ perceptions of learning, attitudes, and performance are affected by the use of multimedia technology. Both traditional and multimedia methodologies were used in the financial accounting II course offered at one of the leading universities in Lebanon, using data collected from a sample of 110 students. In order to eliminate faculty-specific characteristics, the same professor taught all sections, thereby minimizing the effect different instructors might have had on student evaluations. Results indicate that students perceived the use of multimedia, specifically PowerPoint (PPT) lectures, as being more entertaining and organized than the traditional method; however, the latter methodology demonstrated more efficiency in terms of explaining theories, enhancing problem-solving abilities, and allowing for greater interaction. The two methodologies, however, did not demonstrate a significant statistical difference in terms of student learning and comprehension. Despite the positive student perception of PPT lectures, results suggest that the systematic approach of traditional methodologies exceeds PPT in emphasizing course materials and enhancing problem-solving abilities. As measured by their final grade, PPT methodologies affected student performance negatively, especially for below-average business students.

[1]  R. Mladenovic,et al.  An investigation into ways of challenging introductory accounting students' negative perceptions of accounting , 2000 .

[2]  J. Wellington.  Integrating multimedia into science teaching : barriers and benefits , 1999 .

[3]  Jennifer M. Apperson,et al.  The impact of presentation graphics on students' experience in the classroom , 2006, Comput. Educ..

[4]  Dan Goldhaber,et al.  Is It Just a Bad Class? Assessing the Stability of Measured Teacher Performance. CEDR Working Paper No. 2010-3.0. , 2010 .

[5]  Charles S. Koeber.  Introducing Multimedia Presentations and a Course Website to an Introductory Sociology Course: How Technology Affects Student Perceptions of Teaching Effectiveness , 2005 .

[6]  Hossein Nouri,et al.  The Effect of Powerpoint Presentations on Student Learning and Attitudes , 2005 .

[7]  J. Wilmoth,et al.  Profits and Pitfalls: Thoughts on Using a Laptop Computer and Presentation Software To Teach Introductory Social Statistics , 1998 .

[8]  Edward R. Tufte,et al.  The cognitive style of PowerPoint , 2003 .

[9]  R. Craig,et al.  PowerPoint Presentation Technology and the Dynamics of Teaching , 2006 .

[10]  Seval Kardes Selimoglu,et al.  THE EFFECT OF POWERPOINT PREFERENCES OF STUDENTS ON THEIR PERFORMANCE: A Research In Anadolu University , 2009 .

[11]  Carl J. Luna,et al.  Testing Multimedia in the Community College Classroom. , 1997 .

[12]  E. Hanushek,et al.  Teachers, Schools, and Academic Achievement , 1998 .

[13]  Trevor Hassall,et al.  Approaches to learning of management accounting students , 2001 .

[14]  Kursat Cagiltay,et al.  Differences in Learning Styles in Different Cultures: A Qualitative Study. , 2000 .

[15]  William E. Coffman,et al.  Characteristics of Teachers , 1961 .

[16]  Timothy D. Pippert,et al.  Multiple Perspectives on Multimedia in the Large Lecture , 1999 .

[17]  Lisa Daniels,et al.  Introducing technology in the classroom: PowerPoint as a first step , 1999, J. Comput. High. Educ..

[18]  Attila Szabó,et al.  Using IT in the undergraduate classroom: should we replace the blackboard with PowerPoint? , 2000, Comput. Educ..

[19]  Dale Cyphert.  The Problem of PowerPoint: Visual Aid or Visual Rhetoric? , 2004 .

[20]  Ronald H. Nowaczyk,et al.  Student Perception of Multimedia in the Undergraduate Classroom. , 1998 .

[21]  Joshua E. Susskind.  PowerPoint's power in the classroom: enhancing students' self-efficacy and attitudes , 2005, Comput. Educ..

[22]  Margaret K. Koenigs,et al.  Teachers and Student Achievement in the Chicago Public High Schools , 2003 .

[23]  Richard L. Venezky,et al.  Technology in the classroom: steps toward a new vision , 2004 .

[24]  Zaiton Osman,et al.  Effective teaching methods and lecturer characteristics a study on accounting students at Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) , 2009 .

[25]  Carl A. Rodrigues.  Culture as a determinant of the importance level business students place on ten teaching/learning techniques , 2005 .

[26]  Robin L. Bartlett,et al.  Efficiency in the Use of Technology in Economic Education: Some Preliminary Results , 2004 .

[27]  J. Biggs.  What do inventories of students' learning processes really measure? A theoretical review and clarification. , 1993, The British journal of educational psychology.

[28]  Z. Charlesworth.  Learning styles across cultures: suggestions for educators , 2008 .