Extending the Case Study : Assigning an Educational Novel and Student Role-Playing in the Accounting Information Systems Course

Need for innovative and active-learning activities to enhance the teaching-learning experience have never been greater. Students of the ‘video generation,' compared to prior generations, often have learning styles that are not well matched to the traditional classroom lecture format of teaching. Use of case studies is well documented as an effective way to engage students. The educational novel extends the case study approach. Educational novels have been described as effectively a very lengthy case problem, with a myriad of inter-connected sub-cases, incorporating interesting characters and plot elements. This study describes two teaching devices, educational novels and student role-playing, that can be used to complement traditional lectures. These two teaching devices can be used in accounting information system (AIS) classes, and other classes, to provide technical information in a way that encourages learning and generates student enthusiasm. This study reports how each of these teaching devices can be readily implemented and how each has produced positive feedback from AIS students