Automated Learning Strategy to Reinforce Business Writing Mechanics for Accounting Students

Abstract

Given the importance of accountants’ writing skills, the written communication expectation-performance gap, and limited accounting faculty time and expertise, this Business Writing Mechanics (BWM) learning strategy provides students with a spelling, grammar, punctuation, and word choice refresher using minimal faculty effort. BWM is an online, self-graded resource that students complete outside of class and consists of four separate assignment modules covering 1) Effective Written Communication, 2) Basic Grammar, 3) Advanced Grammar, and 4) Business Grammar. For each module, students access a PowerPoint slide deck, watch lecture video(s), and demonstrate mastery of the material via a quiz. Large quiz pools allow students to take a quiz multiple times until mastery is achieved. Students’ feedback indicated the PowerPoint slide decks were a good reference tool, the videos were easy to follow, and students’ knowledge, confidence, and awareness of writing mechanics increased.