Brief description

The EAA Education Committee recently conducted a survey to gather members’ perspectives of accounting education. We received a total of 90 responses, primarily from tenured faculty members with extensive teaching experience (over 50% of respondents have been teaching for more than 16 years). The respondents underscore the importance of their educational activities, though this is perceived as slightly less central compared to their research endeavors.

EAA Members’ Future Expectations

Respondents expressed a clear interest in enhancing their teaching skills and methodologies. Many indicated a desire to learn more about adopting innovative learning approaches, such as case studies, collaborative learning, and problem/project-based learning and digital teaching technologies, such as generative AI, and digital tests and exams.

Specifically, the most requested learning methodologies include:

• Problem/Project Based Learning (PBL): 53%
• Case studies: 51%
• Collaborative learning: 45%
• Competence-based learning: 40%
• Design thinking: 40%
• Gamification: 40%
• Flipped Class: 28%
• Peer feedback: 27%
• Peer instruction: 19%
• Dialogic Learning: 3%

When it comes to digital teaching technologies, there’s a strong demand for knowledge on:

• Generative AI (e.g., Large Language Models): 85%
• Digital tests/exams: 44%
• Learning analytics: 40%
• Gaming: 36%
• Learning management systems (e.g., Blackboard, Canvas, Moodle, other): 33%
• Media production (e.g., video, podcasts, photographs, other): 28%
• Webinar (recorded sessions) – to be viewed before or after a class meeting: 25%
• Hybrid class (face to face and online class simultaneously): 24%
• Social Media (Blogs, Facebook, Instagram, Podcast, Vlogs, Youtube Channel, Tiktok, other): 20%
• Online class: 19%
• Virtual/augmented reality: 19%
• Spreadsheets: 18%
• Voting systems: 14%
• Video conference system (e.g., Google meet, Zoom, other): 13%

Our Committee’s Response

Our primary task in the EAA Education Committee is to serve our members. We asked you to tell us what kind of activities you would like the EAA to focus on, and at what level. Two main themes emerged strongly from your responses: Sustainability (at an advanced level) and AI in Education (at intermediate and advanced levels). Several other pertinent topics, such as Teaching differences in Undergraduate and Postgraduate education, Program content versus program form, Cryptoassets, Gamification, and Employability skills, were also frequently mentioned.

Regarding the delivery of these new topics, members indicated a clear preference for existing channels such as Online Workshops and Courses, and the Education Committee Symposium during the EAA Annual Congress.

We sincerely thank you for your time and effort in completing this survey. Your valuable responses are instrumental in helping the EAA identify how we can best support and enhance your educational development.

On behalf of the entire EAA Education Committee,

Anastasia Kopita (Chair)