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Encouraging a deep approach to learning through curriculum design

Author

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  • Linda English
  • Peter Luckett
  • Rosina Mladenovic

Abstract

Accounting educators are concerned by research suggesting that accounting students frequently adopt a surface approach to learning given that this approach has been shown to result in undesirable learning outcomes (Eley, 1992; Booth et al., 1999). Despite mixed empirical evidence, the possibility of encouraging students to adopt a deep approach to learning through interventions in the learning context is suggested by the approaches to learning and metacognition literatures. Functional Linguistics (Halliday, 1985) provides principles upon which such interventions might be based. This paper, first, provides a rich description of an intervention in an introductory accounting course to encourage a deep approach to learning by improving students' written communication skills. Second, the effectiveness of the intervention is examined by comparing students' approaches to learning, using Biggs' (1987a) Study Process Questionnaire, with those at another leading Australian university offering a more 'traditional' course. The findings broadly confirm the effectiveness of the intervention, both in encouraging a deep approach, and in improving overall course results.

Suggested Citation

  • Linda English & Peter Luckett & Rosina Mladenovic, 2004. "Encouraging a deep approach to learning through curriculum design," Accounting Education, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 13(4), pages 461-488.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:accted:v:13:y:2004:i:4:p:461-488
    DOI: 10.1080/0963928042000306828
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Peter Booth & Peter Luckett & Rosina Mladenovic, 1999. "The quality of learning in accounting education: the impact of approaches to learning on academic performance," Accounting Education, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 8(4), pages 277-300.
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    Cited by:

    1. Fordham, David R., 2012. "Applying a real-world fraud to multiple learning objectives: Considerations and an example from the systems course," Journal of Accounting Education, Elsevier, vol. 30(3), pages 325-354.
    2. Ballantine, Joan A. & Duff, Angus & McCourt Larres, Patricia, 2008. "Accounting and business students’ approaches to learning: A longitudinal study," Journal of Accounting Education, Elsevier, vol. 26(4), pages 188-201.
    3. Duff, Angus & Mladenovic, Rosina, 2015. "Antecedents and consequences of accounting students' approaches to learning: A cluster analytic approach," The British Accounting Review, Elsevier, vol. 47(3), pages 321-338.
    4. Dong, Nanyan & Bai, Meng & Zhang, He & Zhang, Junrui, 2019. "Approaches to learning IFRS by Chinese accounting students," Journal of Accounting Education, Elsevier, vol. 48(C), pages 1-11.
    5. Fogarty, Timothy J., 2019. "Surrender Dorothy?: A commentary on Rebele and St. Pierre (2019)," Journal of Accounting Education, Elsevier, vol. 49(C).

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