MEM conducted an interview with Professor Allan Drebin to discuss his online accounting course:
MEM:
What are the advantages to having an online accounting course in MEM?
Professor Drebin:
As most MEM students work full time and live in diverse areas, the online course enables them to save on transportation time. It also allows them to choose the day and time they want to study. Many of our students have work related travel commitments which interfere with rigid class times. With an online class they can take the class wherever they are located, as long as they have access to a computer. From a scheduling standpoint, we can also
accommodate student needs in complementary courses. For example, in finance classes there is a need to know about financial statements. In recent years, finance has been taught in Fall quarter and accounting in Spring so students do not learn about accounting when they need it. Next year, we will offer an online section of accounting in Fall quarter for students who want to take it in time to be useful in finance.
MEM: What tools or resources have you utilized to transition the course to an online model?
Professor Drebin: We have recorded the lectures so that students have access anywhere. Rather than extensive lectures, we have broken up topics into smaller bites, most about 10 minutes in length. Students can study as they have time, I suspect this may be between periods of hockey games! We now use a supplement to the text that permits students to submit homework online and have it graded immediately. This gives prompt feedback so students can review areas that they did not understand. We also use a "discussion board" that allows students to ask questions about topics they have difficulty with. Often, another student responds before I have a chance to answer.
MEM: What would you change about the course as you move forward?
Professor Drebin: The online homework system is not as flexible as a human accountant. Sometimes students have difficulties when they submit alternative correct answers which the computer failed to recognize as correct. Of course, I am always available to straighten out these conflicts. And the immediate feedback is a great benefit to the students, outweighing the inconvenience of occasional errors. And I must admit, even I sometimes make mistakes. I remember the last one, it was 27 years ago! Eventually, I see online instruction being offered in "modules" rather than 10 week courses. Students may then be able to learn about financial statements before taking the finance course but study managerial accounting as needed for an operations course.
MEM: What is your favorite part about the online accounting course?
Professor Drebin: This year we offer both the online course and an on-campus section. In Fall, with only the online section I may be able to teach in my pajamas! Actually, I have been teaching an online class for another NU department. I find it provides flexibility for the instructor as well as the students. I can be somewhere warm in Winter quarter and still teach the class!
MEM thanks Professor Drebin as we explore the possibilities of online courses and for his continued efforts with our program!
